11 posts tagged “health”

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).

Tuesday afternoon: Sore throat. Not too bad.
Wednesday: Sore throat. Pretty bad. Feeling pretty crappy.
Thursday: Go to doctor. Get antibiotics for strep throat. Miss work.
Friday: Miss work due to being contagious.
Saturday: Move house.
Sunday: Church, move house.
Monday: Back to work. Tired as crap. Still a lot left to do for the move. Still feel yucky.
Tonight: More moving, more packing, more unpacking, more setting up, more assembling.

Tracey has it worse (except she's not sick). She's taking a "vacation" day today because furniture is being delivered, the blinds are being delivered and installed, and cable TV/Internet is being installed. In order for all that to happen, she has to move boxes out of the way of where furniture needs to go, etc. Not. Fun.

I was sick yesterday, but I still made it to work. I woke up this morning at 4-something, and I was burning up. I took my temperature: nearly 102. Ugh.

So, I'm home today. Suck.

Its Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  How many people do you know that have been touched by the disease?

Seriously... none, that I know of.

What's your cure for the common cold?

Rest. Gatorade (it's got electrolytes). More rest. Whining.

Do you have a regular workout routine?  What's your favorite form of exercise?

No regular workout routine. Once we move, I'll have space to workout with free weights again, like I used to. Other than that, I prefer 'natural' exercise, like hiking and sports and stuff like that.

Are you a registered organ donor?  Why or why not? 

Yes, of course. Why not?! I certainly won't need 'em anymore!

The worst part of being sick, aside from the 'being sick' part, is what's on daytime television. I'm not big on television anyway, but when you're in bed all day and are unable/unwilling to be active, a certain desperation sets in and the remote control ends up in my hand.

I think I've watched the same SportsCenter loop three times in a row now.

I have strep throat. Woke up this morning feeling absolutely awful, I had a headache, body ache, fever (confirmed with thermometre: 99.9F), nausea... and, of course, a sore throat. Went to the doctor where they confirmed strep (and my fever had risen to 102.6, yae!). I'll be getting my prescription of penicillin later this afternoon, and should be ready to go back to work (i.e. be non-contagious) by Thursday.

How many bones have you broken? Yours or someone else's?

None of either.