I decided I need to update again to tell everyone how Wilson is doing after his right shoulder joint replacement. He had this done at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City three weeks ago yesterday. This time seems to be going even more smoothly than the left shoulder joint replacement in January of 1995. One of the reasons is, of course, there have been so many medical advancements and improvements since that time. When he had this surgery, he didn't have general anesthesia. They used a nerve block to deaden that shoulder and arm. He was only put into a light sleep during the surgery. The feeling came back from the block gradually - some of the tingling remained in his fingers for about 18 hours. This joint and socket is the 2009 model - the doctor said that the 2010 model wouldn't be out until at least 2012. He said "We're not like the car companies." :)

We came home from the hospital just two days later - Sunday afternoon. Lori went with us and did all the driving - the surgery was right in Manhatten! Wilson had some simple exercises to do on his own and then he saw the physical therapist for the first time that next Thursday. Since then he has been going three times a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They are already able to move his arm higher and further out to the side than the doctor expected it to move by 6 weeks after the surgery. He (and the pt) have to be very careful for the first 6 weeks because it takes that long for the rotator cuff muscles to really heal and new bone to grow around the implants - the front muscle had to be removed during the surgery to allow access for taking out the old joint and socket and installing the new ones. Because of this, Wilson still has to wear his sling. They want to be sure that he doesn't make sudden movements with that arm - for instance, if something started to fall he might automatically reach out quickly to stop it. The sling is to keep him from making sudden moves with that arm and to remind him that he is not to lift anything with it.

He won't be able to drive either for about 6 weeks so, of course, I'm taking him to his PT appointments. He is needing less and less help with dressing. I'm amazed at how well he eats with his left hand - I don't think I could do nearly as well.

We're thankful for all the prayers for both of us. Please continue to pray for his healing and that I will stay healthy so that I am able to take care of him, do my jobs and all the jobs that he normally does. Our spiritual family is wonderful and we have had many offers of help. To this point, I have been able to do what needs to be done - we're thankful there has been no more snow after his surgery because I don't think I could clean the driveway. At first, when I couldn't leave Wilson and he wasn't able to go with me, Lori picked up grocery items that we needed. Kevin got some things at Sam's Club for us.

We are looking forward to a visit with Melaine and Tilly. Melaine's parents are bringing them from Memphis and will stay with us too. Our SC kids and grandkids plan to be here part of that time and stay a few more days after. They are spending the granddaughters' spring break with us! We're so excited and are looking forward to a lot of good family time. Of course, our local kids and grandsons will be here a lot too. We'll only be missing Eddie and Alyssa - but it will be a BIG miss!

Time to make breakfast and really get my day started...

This week the weather has been gorgeous! I'm heading outside again to spend time cleaning out dead stems, leaves etc. from our perennials . I spent all day Tuesday outside and got things cleaned up in the front and the south side of the house. Now I need to work on the lakeside! Yesterday was physical therapy day for Wilson and the afternoon was spent cooking for us and a friend who recently had surgery. The rain is supposed to hold off till tomorrow so I need to get as much done today as possible.

Hope everyone has a good day.

This last snow was certainly my kind of snow! This is especially true since Lori, Wilson and I leave tomorrow afternoon on our drive to NYC for Wilson's shoulder replacement surgery on Friday.

He has pre-surgery testing and a physical exam scheduled for first thing Thursday morning so we need to go the day before in order to be sure to be there for his appointment. His surgery is scheduled for Friday at the Hospital For Special Surgery in Manhatten. They require the pre-surgical tests and exam to be done at the hospital there - he wasn't allowed to have them done locally. We will not know the time of the surgery until Thursday afternoon.

He had his left shoulder joint completely replaced in 1995 and the right one has needed replacing for several years now. He kept putting it off because he knows how painful and long the recovery period is. If it is like last time, he will have to have physical therapy 3 times a week for months and months! The pain finally got to the point that he knew he has to have the surgery.

Please pray for our safe travel and for Wilson, the doctors, nurses etc. I'm not sure that we will have a computer with us (or have computer access if we decide to take the laptop), but we will call Kevin to update the church group. Maybe someone who is on Pleo will give an update after the surgery.

We're also praying for no snow!!

so evidently it's time for another blog! :) We haven't tried to measure, but it's very, very deep and it's still snowing. These photos were made about 3 1/2 hours ago!

Here are the photos:

Last week we had above normal temperatures, then yesterday we had a cold rain, but now except for some "piled-up" snow, it is gone. Today and tomorrow we are supposed to have very nice temps for this time of year - yea!! For a couple of months, bring on the global warming. :)

Hope everyone has a very good week.