Time to make a post

So my dad has had knee problems for... ever. My whole life, anyway. Multiple knee surgeries, a partial knee or something similar on one knee (plastic parts, a fake kneecap, etc.), etc.

Finally something went *pop* about 6 weeks ago or so, and he was in excruciating pain. They said it was time for a total knee -- he knew that was coming but they'd been trying to hold off as long as possible due to his age. (He's 59, and if you get one in your 50s, you'll need it done again if you live to your 70s or whatever.)

So they got him on the schedule for December, the soonest they could fit him in. Long story short, they had a cancellation and could do it on 30 October.

So, last Thursday, he had his operation. It went well. The last knee surgery he had, probably 10-15 years ago, he had some kind of problem with the anesthesia and almost died on the operating table. This time, no such problems.

However, he's having post-surgery problems now. He has a fever over 100 (101 today, down from 103 overnight), his blood count (I'm hearing this third-hand, so I'm not sure what 'blood count' means -- white cells, red cells, platelets, what) is low and he may need a transfusion. This is in addition to the fever which probably indicates an infection. Plus he's been itching like crazy as an allergic reaction to one of the three pain killers he's on -- and since he's on three, they don't know which one makes him itch. Obviously at this point, that's the least of their concerns. Wha'ts itching compared to a high fever and infection, and a possible blood transfusion, right?

Please pray for him, and for my mom who is not dealing with this well at all (she has her own health issues, both physical and mental), and my sister who has to try to help my mom help my dad while also dealing with her own stuff, too. Prayers needed all around, please.

I guess I'm not even going to get into my grandpa (Dad's dad) who just went through two surgeries, the second of which almost killed him. I think he's doing okay now. But if you want to pray for him and my grandma and everyone down in SoCal helping support them, that'd be great. :)

Update: Doctor says no transfusion will be needed. So, as soon as they fever is taken care of, he gets to go home! Thanks for all your prayers (and good thoughts :D).