Wishing you a speedy recovery,

Rodney

> On May 25, 2022, at 3:33 PM, Jesse Shumaker <jesse.laten.shumaker at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Great to hear Roger, hope you have a swift recovery!
> 
> Jesse
> 
> On Tue, May 24, 2022 at 8:49 PM ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com> wrote:
> 
>> Subject: The left knee replacement procedure went well
>> 
>> Hi All,
>> 
>> My left knee replacement procedure went well yesterday.  The hospital had
>> an issue with their surgical tool sterilizer.  So, the procedure was
>> delayed a few hours while they repaired it.  They accepted my “positive
>> Covid test < 90 days” and didn’t even give me another rapid Covid test.
>> 
>> This time, I had no issues with uncontrollable shivering while in the
>> recovery room.  The catheter made it pretty painful to pee last night.
>> There was some blood on the catheter and in my urine when they removed the
>> catheter this morning.  I have to keep my pee bottle close at hand because
>> I can’t hold my urine very well yet, although it’s getting better.  The
>> nerve block had my left leg completely numb below the knee until this
>> morning.  But, I have good feeling and movement in my left ankle, foot, and
>> toes now.
>> 
>> I had my first PT session already this morning.  Lots of bending and
>> stretching, with snapping and popping in the joint.  They had me up and
>> walking with my walker and we did a lap around the hospital wing, about 100
>> yards.  With great pain and effort, I was able straighten my left knee to
>> -5 deg and bend it to 95 deg.  The therapist said that’s very good right
>> after surgery.  I’m resting in a recliner chair with my legs propped up.
>> The PT session was very painful and exhausting.  I’m glad it’s over!
>> 
>> I had another PT session after lunch.  We worked on climbing a ramp and
>> stairs and getting in and out of a car.  After that, they sent me home.  We
>> had to make a stop at the pharmacy and got home about 4:00 PM.
>> 
>> All in all, it went pretty well.  The knee is swollen and sore; but, I’m
>> in good spirits and life is good!  Thanks for all your good wishes and
>> prayers.
>> 
>> Roger Pihlaja
>> S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>> 
>> On May 21, 2022, at 12:21 PM, ROGER PIHLAJA <Roger_Pihlaja at msn.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi All,
>> 
>> My left knee replacement surgery is scheduled for next Monday, May 23,
>> 2022.  Deb & I have to arrive at the Alma hospital at 6:15 AM.  The
>> procedure is supposed to be at 8:00 AM.  They will probably keep me
>> overnight and send me home on Tuesday.
>> 
>> I had blood and urine tests at Midland hospital this week Thursday.
>> Oddly, I was not scheduled for a Covid test?  I called Dr. Ware’s office to
>> see if there had been an oversight.  I was told, “Because you have tested
>> positive for Covid within the last 90 days, you do not need a Covid test
>> now.”  I reminded the nurse scheduler that the positive Covid test result
>> on March 21st was the rapid response test they gave me at Alma hospital.  I
>> had a PCR Covid test the next day at Gladwin hospital, which came back
>> negative.  The rapid response test is known for inaccuracy, especially when
>> the subject is not showing any Covid symptoms.  So, the positive test
>> result on March 21st was almost certainly a false positive.  I was told it
>> didn’t matter.  Yes, the policy makes no sense; but, that’s the policy.  If
>> I get sent home on Monday because I didn’t have a Covid test or I flunk one
>> of their rapid response Covid tests at the hospital, I think I’m going to
>> start searching for a new doctor and a new hospital!
>> 
>> I’ll try to send out a group e-mail when I get home on Tuesday.  Wish me
>> luck!
>> 
>> Roger Pihlaja
>> 
>> Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows
>> 
>> 
>>