Updates: Knee, Nick & Daniel

Okay, I went and saw the LOPFI (our retirement system) Doctor today. (Yes a Saturday) I had to go to Arkansas Children's Hospital. I was doing pretty good but then I got out of the van! To begin with ACH has grown so much I was unable to park close to the front entrance, but I was able to park fairly close. So I walked to the front entrance, only to find out that on Saturday the door was unlocked at 9 am, my appointment was at 8 am and it was 7:30am. The sign went on to say to use the South entrance. So I trekked back the way I came and then down the side of the hospital, down past the emergency room to the South Entrance. Once inside the the hospital I had to go down a really long hallway turn and walk all the way to the front of the hospital! My knee hurts all the time anyway and by the time I got to the front of the hospital I was REALLY feeling it! I checked in and found a place to sit (that didn't look too low to the ground and I thought I could get up & was close to another seat so I could prop my leg up and help with the pain) I no sooner opened my book when I saw a man walking toward me, he introduced himself as Dr. Blasier. Thankfully we didn't have too far to walk to the orthopedic offices.

After about 1/2 hour of questions about my knee & work/work history he began the exam. I walked from him to the door and back again several times, walked on my tip-toes (sorta), walked on my heels (kinda) and then came the part that I laughed at. He asked me to squat, was unable to do it very well, then he asked me to jump up and down on one foot. Okay, I can do this on my left side; hop, hop, hop. Right leg please, okay....uuuhhhh I don't seem to be able to get much lift. I was unable to that. Then came the part that brought me to tears, several times.

Dr. Blasier asked me to lay on the exam table. He did this part of exam by comparing the bad knee to the good knee. After much twisting (that really made the tears come), pulling, tugging, etc he was done, this part took about 1/2 hour. Then he gave me his opinion. "I believe your problem is that during the original surgery your surgeon took off entirely too much cartilage, and was unwilling to admit his mistake. That would be the reason he seemed to know that you need a knee replacement without looking at new x-rays or an MRI. You need a replacement now" He then told me that he will be putting in his report that I am permanently and totally disabled from the fire department. I came home, talked with Alan about the appointment. Then after a few hours I couldn't stand the pain anymore so I took a heavy duty pain reliever and slept until supper time.

So, now I just wait on Dr. Blaiser's report to get to the LOPFI offices and for them to process it. I was told by the Director of LOPFI that it could take up to 3 weeks to receive the report. From there I will be getting paperwork to sign, which I believe will be my "official retirement" paperwork. So I figure that by this time next month I'll be retired. I am really sad about this but then again I've always said that working gets in the way of my fun. Watch what you ask for you could get it! What are my plans? I don't know.....Clean the house, it needs some serious attention! Then I will get down to some serious scrappin' and cardmaking, just plain creating.

I will also be launching my new business as an Independent Consultant for Arbonne International. I have been getting all my business tools together, going to meetings and have had several business planning meetings so I am anxious to get started. Here's to success!!!

Nick finally made it to Basic Training!!!! It was a real ordeal!! He had a number of roadblocks along the way as far as medical paperwork that should have been filed by his original recruiter that retired. He has called several times and written. He is having a blast! He is on a weight gaining program, he has to get twice the amount of food and eat it! (he obviously didn't get my weight problem! LOL he can have some of mine!) He will graduate from Basic Training and AIT November the 14th. I know that he will do really well and I'm very proud of him. He asked his girlfriend to marry him before he left for basic. She said yes of course! I think that once he gets a duty station then they will talk wedding plans. She will be coming over tomorrow to visit. I'm really glad as I miss having her around.

Daniel is working at a popular local water park this summer. He is really enjoying it! With one of his paychecks he's bought a Nano iPod. He's currently saving the rest of his checks for "something big", what that could be Daniel hasn't said. He's also working on learning to drive. Nick said he could practice with his truck. Daniel doesn't do too bad, he just needs some practice. (And when I get home after a practice drive I need a really stiff drink! LOL) He's looking forward to school starting. I believe the part he's looking forward to is ROTC, he takes it so seriously and enjoys it so much.

My Mom is having her second knee replacement on Tuesday. She is looking forward to as she did so well with her other knee. If you think about it please keep her in your thoughts and prayers Tuesday.

I think that gets you caught up with everything in my life. Till next time.