Say goodbye...

to the stitches but the crutches must stay for 10 more days! Needless to say, I'm not excited about the crutches or the information he gave me. He said that there is no way to prevent the extra cartlidge from growing again and there is a good chance it will reappear, meaning another scope. Let's pray that it doesn't return and this will be the only scope. Please also pray that my knee will be able to return to its normal position.

Thanks guys!

Polar Care 300

This is the Polar Care 300 which has been my friend over the last week and half. This lovely appartus has kept my knee nice and cool without the messiness of leaky bags. Well today we finally got around to checking our snail mail, which had our wonderful bill from the hospital in it. It is amazing the amount of medicine and materials that go into having knee surgery. As we were going through the itemized bill we found the expense for this lovely "cooling system" that encompasses my leg and can you guess how much it cost? Ok look at it closely...its really a little Igloo cooler (not even big enough to hold a six pack of sodas), some tubing and a knee pad. Not really complicated from our standpoint but the company must think so because it cost a WHOOPING $435!!! We were shocked!! Luckily as of right now, the hospital and I expect the insurance to cover it all and we do not owe any money. But if I comes back to us having to pay, this is the first thing I'm going to ask if I can give back! :)

Stay tuned tomorrow for the doctor's update!

Update on the knee

Can I just say that I praise the Lord that I am not permenantly crippled? Crutches are a struggle for me and I'm not liking the fact that I can't get everywhere in my normal quick fashion.

Monday I was allowed to unwrap the bandages and take of the dressing. The knee is serverly bruised near the incisions but otherwise it's ok. Before Monday, any time I wanted to take a shower I had to wrap plastic trash bags around my leg. Monday was a glorious day when I could take a normal shower.

The pain hasn't been too bad for the most part ex. right before bed. I'm also having to take injections of Lovonox to prevent blood clotting in my knee. Because I can't stand the sight of the needle, Jerm is having to give me the shots. While he is an excellent nurse in every other way, he needs to work on his shot-giving techniques. The shots hurt like none other esp. since they have to be given in my stomach. Needless to say, this is my least favorite part of the day.

Tuesday I started my nannying job, which was a little challenging with the crutches. Luckily the kids are pretty self-sufficient and I didn't have to do too much. I think I overdid it though and Wednesday it hurt more. The kids went to the water park on Wednesday so I had the day off and rested it on the couch.

Slowly the knee is coming along and I'm hoping Monday, at my post-op appointment, I will be able to leave the crutches behind.

Thanks for all of you who have called and checked on me. I especially have to thank Jeremy and Alyson who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Thank you J for taking care of everything in the house, from cooking to cleaning to taking care of me. Alyson thank you for always checking in on me and for constantly changing my ice bags and getting my mail. I could never tell you how much I appreciate all you have done. Hopefully I can pay you guys back one day!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's day to the best dad in the world.

Though we've already celebrated this special day earlier in the week, I wanted to tell him how much I love him and appreciate him!

Also a shout out to my father-in-law as well. This is a comical picture of him riding his new tire to the motorcycle store.

Surgery

Hey everyone!

I just wanted everyone to know that I am home now from surgery. We got home around 11 am and I've been perched on the couch ever since. I have a set of lovely crutches, beautiful bandages, and a cool new toy. Its an ice knee brace that is continously cooled by this tiny cooler of ice.


So I know what you really want to know is what the doctor found. Dr. Galland said the lining of my knee was producing extra cartlidge and therefore extra fluid around my knee. He scraped out the extra cartlidge, drained the fluid and repaired a small tear in my menicus. He says it will be 72 hours before I can take the bandages off and before I'm really able to get out. Visitors are welcome to come by though!

Thank you for all your prayers and support today!

(Please forgive me if there are grammar or spelling mistakes, I'm still not 100% in the head)

Love,
Shannon

Good books needed...

Ok blog world out there, it's summer time and that means I get to read what I want to and it doesn't have to be a children's book. Therefore I need your help! I'm taking suggestions as to good things you've read recently that you think I should read.

Thanks!

It is finished!

PTL as BP would say...(that's Praise the Lord) this year has finally come to a close. At 3:45 today I hugged the children goodbye and sent them on their ways, as the teachers did a little dance and cheer in the hallway. As I look back, the year went by really fast on a whole though at times the weeks crept by. New school, new team, new rules but all in all I enjoyed the year.

My brother

This is a ridiculous picture of my brother but it suits him well. We went to visit him yesterday at our favorite place, Camp Willow Run. He is there for his 4th summer and his 2nd as a boat driver. He's a great kid, with a great heart and the best hugs. I love him a lot and I was glad that we could visit him yesterday. So here's to you BP!

Appreciated

This week was Teacher Appreciation week at my school. The kids were very gracious and brought me flowers, candy, and gift cards. It was all very sweet and much appreciated!

Next week is the last week of school (finally!). I have 3 moms who have been weekly to help us out in the classroom. As a thank you for them, I took the above picture of the kids spelling out thank you. I'm going to frame and mat it and let the kids sign their names. I just thought I'd share it with you since it was so stinkin' cute!(Click on it to make it bigger!)