Its Time

Another person that we know has left this old world to be with the Lord. Thats four this month and it isn't over yet. One was a girl I went to high school with, knew her husband well. He built houses for three of our children. Then a man that my husband worked with for many years got the news that he didn't have long. Naturally, Billy visited and called him. Next was a lady that we knew from church and other times. Her son still goes to the same church as we do. She suffered long and hard. So sad that people have to go through that sometimes. But she knew the Lord well, and we know that she trusted Him.
Then just this morning, early, we got the news that my husband ex-brother in law have left this world for the next. He had cancer, was prepared, even recorded the songs that he sang for his furneral. Last time we visited him he said he was tired of waiting....ready to go. The Lord was merciful and took him. He is one of the few people that I know who had a going away party. He wanted his friends and family to be able to tell him good bye before he left. He looked forward to visits, but near the end was just tired.
Why am I writing about this, well its life. We are no longer young, and these kinds of things are in the forecast for us too. Are you ready to meet your maker?

So much time has passed since the last time anything was posted on this blog so I guess it is time to catch up. In December on the 21st, my left knee was surgically replaced. Waking up with a machine on that knee which kept it moving was quite an experience. Thank God for medication to keep me from feeling all of the pain. Since my husband had both of his knees replaced almost two years ago it wasn't a surprise to me, but it was my own experience.
I was in God's hands and I testify to that. Everyone who had a part in my recovery was so helpful. Therapy is the key to success in this surgery. The therapist were so patient and encouraging. It was difficult at first and didn't get easier for a while, but gradually I regained my strength and recovered from all that my body had experienced.
Having out patient therapy was a great help. There was a lot to learn about taking care of myself, things that I had taken for granted now became a test. The walker was my friend for a while, then I graduated to a cane. My brother had one from when he had a stroke and loaned it to me. There were some exercises that I dreaded, but they were the ones that helped me the most. Learning which muscles did what helped too.
The therapist made sure that they were done properly and knew which ones I needed most. At the end there was ice for the swelling.
At this time I am very glad that I am at this point in my recovery. If I stay sitting for any lenght of time my knee gets stiff, but getting up and moving around takes care of that. The cold weather caused stiffness too. Most of the time I don't pay so much attention to it anymore. It feels more natural to me now. Would I advise others to have it done? Yes, make sure you have a very good surgeon, and do the therapy. Oh, and expect some pain for a while, but it is nothing like the pain of bone against bone when you need surgery.