June 2, 2008 An MRI, The Big Apple, and Lays Potato Chips (or, My Trip To The Big City)

Went to NYC today. I had to have an MRI of my knee and see the ortho about having a revision of my knee replacement.

First, the MRI. I went in to get changed, and the lady looked at me and said she'd give me a bigger gown. (the regular ones were tiny, as I found out later when I saw an average size woman hanging out all over hers!) She then proceded to give me the biggest hospital gown I have ever seen! I am quite sure I have camped in a tent that was smaller! I put it on and just laughed at the sight in the mirror! A nice guy named Rick came in to get me, and helped me tie it closed a little better. I lay down on the MRI machine and put my knee in the little "house" to keep it still. He had to close the "roof" of the "house, and I wasn't sure it was going to fit. Neither was he. But it did! Just barely, but it fit! YAY! I used the "normal" sized machinery!!!!! Anyway, I chilled out with some Sweet Baby James (Taylor) and 40 minutes later I was done.
At that point, I needed the bathroom. Badly. So I changed quickly from my camping gear into my clothes, and headed into the bathroom. OK, problem #1, no toilet paper. Well, there's paper towel, that will have to do. Problem #2 is just that--#2, as in, well, you know... So I finish, and I flush, and, OH. MY. GOSH!!! I've clogged the toilet in the MRI dressing room!!!!!! And my "deposit" is right there for the world to see! I warned the girl at the front desk, and escaped as she was calling maintenance.
In the main lobby they have a little snack bar area. It was time for lunch, so I checked to see if there was anything there I could eat, or would I need to go out and hunt for something. Well, I was in luck--they had a very nice salad with a good size piece of chicken breast. I found some Newman's Own Balsamic Viniagrette dressing, and I was set. But wait, I needed some sort of a starch. Looked around and the best I could do was Lay's Potato Chips! So I took out 1 ounce (the portion size) and threw away the rest. I must say, I rather enjoyed my lunch!
After eating, I went upstairs to the doctor's office. I was early--12:40 for a 1:15 appointment. So I settled in with a book. I was finally called into the back at a little before 2. I was given a gown that was MUCH closer to the right size (OK, I could have used an extra inch or two, but it was OK) and proceded to wait until about 2:25, when the doctor came in.
So, the bad news is that the plastic parts of my knee prosthesis are pretty well shot. And there is some loosening of the rod that goes down into my lower leg bone. So that means I'll need a total revision, not a partial. Not really a surprise, but I was hoping for a miracle. Anyway, I asked all my questions and got some surprisingly good news. 1) I'll be in the hospital about 3 days, and in rehab about a week, 2) home PT for a couple weeks, then outpatient at the hospital, 3) about 3 weeks post-op, I should be OK to drive and to take care of myself and the kids, 4) after about 3 months I should be "good as new", and 5) there's a good chance that I'll have more flexibility this time around, as long as my quadriceps muscle isn't too tight. (Guess I'll see what we can do about that at the gym.)
I asked if there was anything I could do between now and surgery to prevent further decline. He said I'm already doing the best thing--losing weight. The first replacement has lasted 13.5 years. Revisions don't usually last as long as initial replacements, but considering the tonnage I'd hauled around until recently, I've done pretty well with this one. I may actually get a longer time out of the revision, given the lower weight. He's hopeful (as am I) that by January surgery I'll be in ONEderland. That would be awesome, and a big help with the rehab end of things. I asked about exercise, and he said the pool is my best option, but that the elliptical and the treadmill are both fine. He said using a cane would help keep some of the weight off the knee, but it's really not necessary unless I'm having pain (which, thankfully, I'm not!)
Why January? My current insurance won't cover the surgery or the doctor becuase it's out of network. (Gotta love those HMOs), and I can't switch until January 1. Also, my shoulder surgery used up all my PT for the year, so I have to wait until then to get a new "batch" of 30 visits. He says if I need more than 30 visits, they write a letter to the insurance company and get more. Since I have to do my other knee too, this could come in very handy if I decide to do it the same year.
Anyway, once I finished, I walked a couple blocks to a better travelled area and hailed a cab. Got there just in time to catch the 3:30 express bus home. The bus was packed, and I was seated toward the back. When we got to my stop, I got up with a good number of other people and headed towards the front. One guy had his foot in the aisle, which I couldn't see becuase of the crowd. The bus jerked as it slowed, and I stepped back--right onto his foot. He let out a big "OUCH!!", and I quickly (and sincerely) apologized. When I saw his nasty glare, I was tempted to tell him that if he'd kept his foot where it belonged, it wouldn't have gotten stepped on! But I held my tongue and got off the bus.
Anyway, I came home and plugged in my interesting lunch into SparkPeople, added my planned dinner, breakfast, and snack, and came up with a perfect day! OK, so the chips weren't the greatest source of carbs and fat, but they did the job. I'm on target for all my nutrients for the day. And tomorrow, I'm making a nice big pot of barley.