Haven't "talked" in forever!!

I hate that I've not managed to make time for myself, whi*****ludes coming on this message board.  I love this community, and have missed you all.  I thought I already had my "things have been crazy and I've been too busy" time this summer.  To sum it up....we moved into a rental in Southwest three weeks ago, my house in Lake Oswego continues to not be sold after 1 1/2 years, my first born son left for college the weekend we moved, I'm scheduled to get my knee replaced November 12th, next Thursday my mother-in-law in California is getting a lung biopsy (perhaps an answer to why I had to take care of her during a mystery illness this summer) on my daughter's sixteenth birthday.  My other daughter's birthday is this weekend.  My husband and I are rolling with the punches, but enough!!  I know we all have it going on, but I just wanted to let you know that I miss you guys, and my absence is not because I don't want to come on here. I am scared, scared, scared about my knee replacement.  It is time though.  It is very connected to my years of being morbidly obese.  I would much rather be scheduled for plastic surgery, but that requires my dang house to sell to finance it.  Plus, this is going to improve my mobility.  Looking at the above stuff going on makes me think "gee maybe I should do it in January", but really I think I have lost my mantra as a post-op by-pass patient to take care of myself, both mentally and physically.  I'm sure there are tough times ahead with my mother-in-law and I will be of more use with a new knee.  For you folks still trying to get your surgery - even though I had to give up NSAIDs, I feel in a much better position.  I was already walking bone-on-bone at 330 pounds, and am so grateful I face the knee replacement at a normal weight.  Still....I seem much more scared to do this surgery.  Maybe part of it is that the by-pass surgery literally felt like I was saving my life.  Plus, no one doesn't say how much the post-op for knee surgery hurts.  Here I go though! Having my kid leave home was HARD even though it fills me with pride and joy.  He is so happy at college.  Living in a dorm with 500 young adults has not been a difficult adjustment.  He doesn't even miss the dogs!  I look forward to catching up.  My support to you people in the process!!  It is so worth it.  I am really sorry I missed the breakfast!  Kim - I am thinking of you!! Patty

Hey Patty...it's sooo good to see you!!! BIG HUGS on all you've been goin' through....what doesn't kill us makes us STRONGER!!! I'm headed off back to Kansas...finally getting to start my plastics!!! Your house will sell soon and you'll get to do it too!!! Good luck with your knee replacement...you'll be in my thoughts!!! Take care, hope to see you when I get back...keep those girls going to breakfast!!! Deanna K

Hi Patty,  Glad to hear from you and sorry for all that is going on in your life.  Life throws it at us at times, doesn't it.  My Mom had her second total knee done a year ago at age 79 and did wonderfully.  You can too.  I have had knee problems in the past due to weight but seems to have become less of a problem with the loss of weight.  I had synvisc injected once and it has helped now for almost 2 years.  I know it was very painful before and am sure if that had continued I would have been more than ready for the procedure.  Any surgery is hard to face however.  Good luck and my prayers will be with you.   Julia

Hi Patty - good to see you back.  I'm so sorry for all that is going on in your life.  It does sound as though you and your DH are dealing with it all well though.  I hope your knee surgery won't be too painful. Linda

It is totally amazing how many things get going in our life after we have this surgery.  I was going to be a good girl and keep up with my profile and keep up with everyone here but life keeps getting in the way.  I have been busy with work, VFW, the union and my two schnauzers that keeps me really busy.  My life has totally changed in the last 15 months.  I have lost 96 pounds and went from size 26 to a 14 pants and I am off all my medications.  If I would have done this 8 years ago I probably wouldn't have had to have my knee replaced but it feels so much better with the weight loss and I don't think I will have anymore problems with my knee now.   Anyway I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and I know that you will do well with the surgery.  It will be a piece of cake now that you are healthier.  It is a pretty rough way to go for a couple of months but things will be so much better after you have the surgery, You will be able to be more able to do more things than before and you will have the energy and stamina to help with your family.   Sonya

Patty, thank you for the update.  Sounds like you have ALOT on your plate right now.  I know what it feels like to have alot on your plate.  You will get through this, and the fear will go away about your surgery.  Sometimes we just have to go through it, and then we find it wasn't as hard as we thought it might be.  I'm hoping that will be the case with your knee replacement.  That fear of the unknown can get our minds working and coming up with scenarios as a way to cope and handle whatever might happen.  Sometimes we just need to be still.  I'm learning that with my current situation.  Something I never thought I could do was to quiet my mind and not worry so much about the future, but to live each day.  It's been liberating.   I hope things let up for you soon, and that your house sells, and you get through your surgery smoothly.  Can't wait to see you next time. Kim

Hey Patty,

It's so good to see you.  You don't need to appologize--at least to me.  I have been AWOL as well--mostly good stuff though.  Life changes so much when we become "normal" and pulls us in so many more directions....

I've become a motorcycle "babe".  First rode w/ Angel (from OH) and now with others.  Going for my MSF certification and then will think about my own bike....Can you believe it???   I'm not even sure I do. I had a wedding reception in my yard for more than 120 people on one of the only Saturdays that it sprinkled.  I did all the food and flowers for it---myself.  Didn't go to bed for 3 days in prep and it took a week to recover.  The yard prep took weeks and I spread 15 yards of bark dust too.  I have muscles on my muscles now! November finds me under the knife again.  This time for a brachioplasty, revision of the TT to do a reverse TT, lipo to the thighs and neck.  It's 8 hours of surgery time--a lot.  I'm taking 6 weeks this time for recovery. Thanks for updating us on what is going on with you.  I've made them promise to e-mail me for the next breakfast.  I learned of it the week afterward. Trisha

I missed breakfast, too. Joy said she didn't make it, either. Should we have one soon or a lunch/meet for coffee (or whatever) so we can catch up? That knee surgery ought to be a godsend. Those I know who have had it are so glad they did. I don't know where I last left off with me. I will have PS again in Dec. which makes me very nervous cause my insurance o-pays start again in Jan. A little close for comfort but Dr. Hansen OHSU is booked up and I couldn't get an appt cause I'm insured (go figure!)  Wanna trade dates, Trish? Anyhow, we are busier than ever updating and redoing people's homes. A Tuscan fireplace this week, egress windows next week, bathrooms, kitchens and even staging for sale.  We should have done this for a living a long time ago rather than as a "retirement" income.   Sending my son away for college (OIT) was the best thing that ever happened to him. It's a gresh start for everyone-no histories, just all new. Good for him and for you. So, let's get together soon, even if just the two of us, before our surgeries. How about it? tee