Too Cute Not To Share!

Enjoy!!

Happy New Year!!!!!

Goodbye 2010. Many good things happened to our family this year. We moved to a city we love, bought our first house, I reached my 1 year cancer anniversary without recurrence and, for a short time anyway, I was able to walk without crutches and be a "normal" mom to my kids. The year will also be remembered for bad news.. the news of my Osteobridge and knee failing and the realization that surgery #3 was inevitable. I sometimes wonder how my kids will remember this year. Will Daniel remember crying in my arms when we shared the news of my 3rd surgery? Will Patrick remember asking "What will we do if you die? Will daddy find a new mommy?".  This was definitely an emotional year and, while it had it's happy moments, I am happy that it's over.

Here is to 2011 and my list of goals! I cannot wait for my surgery and the chance to start crossing things off my list one by one.

It's Official

I have a screw loose.

My Knee is NOT Cooperating! This was not part of the plan.

Do you see that lump on the right side of my knee? That is something, screw most likely, working its way out of my knee. I have been able to feel it for a while, however in the past day it's become worse, so you can actually see it. Along with this new development my knee started popping and feeling like something was "catching" when it popped. Today my knee felt stiff sore and didn't want to pop and when it finally did.... wow, no words to describe that sensation. Lets just say I'm doing everything in my power to avoid doing that again.

I think, at this point, the best option for me is to go to the Emergency Room to have this looked at. My surgeon is still gone, the Orthopedic clinic is closed because it's a 4 day Holiday and I don't think it's a good idea to wait another day.

Goals

I've been thinking a lot about my upcoming surgery and what I hope to accomplish in 2011. I know I'll need a lot of rehabilitation and therapy to learn how to walk correctly. Walking with crutches for almost two years weakens hip muscles, which causes a limp because the body tries to compensate. The good thing about getting my knee replaced is that I will be able to tolerate harder exercises, like lunges and squats, to strengthen the muscles I need to walk. I can't wait. I want to be able to walk the kids home from school, walk around the track, walk my dogs, walk through the mall. Funny how small things most people take for granted can be someone else's biggest wish.

Still no surgery date

Well... I had hoped by this time I would have a surgery date but I don't. My appointment was on Wednesday and the clinic was busy. Insanely busy. So busy that they were handing out lollipops because people were waiting for so long. My appointment was supposed to be at 1:30, I didn't get back in for x-rays until 3:00.

Rescheduled appointment

My surgeon called me today and asked if we could reschedule my appointment. Instead of seeing him at 8:00 I will see him at 1:30. As much as I was looking forward to getting this done and over with, I am happy because my 8 year old is getting several awards from school tomorrow morning and now i'm able to be there when he gets them.

List of Questions

My pre-op appointment is on Wednesday. In preparation for my appointment I have come up with a list of questions to ask so I know what to expect.

Not for the faint of heart

I love You Tube! You can find pretty much anything you want, it may take a while, but you will find it.  After searching for a few weeks I finally found the following videos of a surgery that will be very similar to mine. Warning, these are pretty graphic and not for the faint of heart. I find them interesting... while watching them I thought of even more questions to ask my doctor.

Livestrong Austin

Livestrong announced the dates for next years Livestrong events. I am very excited and looking forward to the Austin event which will be on Saturday October 15th and Sunday October 16th. From the website:

Our final event of the Series is held in conjunction with the Ride for the Roses weekend. On Saturday, October 15 enjoy a 5K run/walk through Austin. Then on Sunday, October 16, choose from one of our multi-distance bike rides ranging from 10–90 miles. Our post-event party is a great way to celebrate all the miles put in training, all the hard work put into fundraising and the end to another great Series.

I plan on walking the 5k and I would like to try to participate in the bike ride, even if I can only pedal 10 miles. The best news of all is that a good friend has told me she will come down and push me in a wheel chair, if need be, so we can do this together. I hope that she can make it. We used to be workout buddies, did a few triathlons in Oregon and Washington, and she was there when my 3rd baby was born.

She is also a cancer survivor.

We lost touch a few years ago and found each other again earlier this year. How fitting to have a reunion participating in an event that helps cancer patients, survivors and caretakers.

Déjà vu

 Broken Screw 2009



 Joint inflamation from Osteobridge 2010

One year ago today I was at the Kansas University Hospital having surgery to fix a broken screw in my knee. Today i'm sitting here with a broken knee joint (im)patiently waiting until January to have surgery to have it replaced.

What a difference a year makes.

There isn't much new going on right now. Just lots of swelling and pain. My pre op appointment is in a week, on the 15th, and I should find out when i'm having surgery. Keep your fingers crossed  that I can have my surgery the beginning of January. Dr. Alderedy did say that whenever I was ready he'd do it... i'm ready NOW, but don't want to recover over the Christmas Holiday. I'd like the kids to have memories of Christmas that don't involve mom high on Narcotics.

The good news is that I found 2 people on the Chondrosarcoma support board who have had the surgery I am about to have. Both said that they were off crutches in a few weeks (my surgeon told me 6) and the only exercise they can't do is run. I can live with that! Both people did need surgery for their knee cap a few years after the initial Compression Distal Femur Replacement but other than that there have been no complications.

If anyone is interested. Here is what my new and improved femur and knee will look like.