[Rhodes22-list] The left knee replacement procedure went well

[Jesse Shumaker]

Great to hear Roger, hope you have a swift recovery!

Jesse

On Tue, May 24, 2022 at 8:49 PM ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com> wrote:

> Subject: The left knee replacement procedure went well
>
> Hi All,
>
> My left knee replacement procedure went well yesterday.  The hospital had
> an issue with their surgical tool sterilizer.  So, the procedure was
> delayed a few hours while they repaired it.  They accepted my “positive
> Covid test < 90 days” and didn’t even give me another rapid Covid test.
>
> This time, I had no issues with uncontrollable shivering while in the
> recovery room.  The catheter made it pretty painful to pee last night.
> There was some blood on the catheter and in my urine when they removed the
> catheter this morning.  I have to keep my pee bottle close at hand because
> I can’t hold my urine very well yet, although it’s getting better.  The
> nerve block had my left leg completely numb below the knee until this
> morning.  But, I have good feeling and movement in my left ankle, foot, and
> toes now.
>
> I had my first PT session already this morning.  Lots of bending and
> stretching, with snapping and popping in the joint.  They had me up and
> walking with my walker and we did a lap around the hospital wing, about 100
> yards.  With great pain and effort, I was able straighten my left knee to
> -5 deg and bend it to 95 deg.  The therapist said that’s very good right
> after surgery.  I’m resting in a recliner chair with my legs propped up.
> The PT session was very painful and exhausting.  I’m glad it’s over!
>
> I had another PT session after lunch.  We worked on climbing a ramp and
> stairs and getting in and out of a car.  After that, they sent me home.  We
> had to make a stop at the pharmacy and got home about 4:00 PM.
>
> All in all, it went pretty well.  The knee is swollen and sore; but, I’m
> in good spirits and life is good!  Thanks for all your good wishes and
> prayers.
>
> Roger Pihlaja
> S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
> On May 21, 2022, at 12:21 PM, ROGER PIHLAJA <Roger_Pihlaja at msn.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
>
> My left knee replacement surgery is scheduled for next Monday, May 23,
> 2022.  Deb & I have to arrive at the Alma hospital at 6:15 AM.  The
> procedure is supposed to be at 8:00 AM.  They will probably keep me
> overnight and send me home on Tuesday.
>
> I had blood and urine tests at Midland hospital this week Thursday.
> Oddly, I was not scheduled for a Covid test?  I called Dr. Ware’s office to
> see if there had been an oversight.  I was told, “Because you have tested
> positive for Covid within the last 90 days, you do not need a Covid test
> now.”  I reminded the nurse scheduler that the positive Covid test result
> on March 21st was the rapid response test they gave me at Alma hospital.  I
> had a PCR Covid test the next day at Gladwin hospital, which came back
> negative.  The rapid response test is known for inaccuracy, especially when
> the subject is not showing any Covid symptoms.  So, the positive test
> result on March 21st was almost certainly a false positive.  I was told it
> didn’t matter.  Yes, the policy makes no sense; but, that’s the policy.  If
> I get sent home on Monday because I didn’t have a Covid test or I flunk one
> of their rapid response Covid tests at the hospital, I think I’m going to
> start searching for a new doctor and a new hospital!
>
> I’ll try to send out a group e-mail when I get home on Tuesday.  Wish me
> luck!
>
> Roger Pihlaja
>
> Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows
>
>
>