About 22 years ago, I went to a Doctor Rice in Kansas City, Kansas for diagnosis of a knee problem.

I'd injured my left knee in my early teens and as predicted then the knee was giving up.

The orthopedic surgeon told me then my only solution was a new knee; that I should baby the knee as much as possible and when the pain became intolerable he'd replace it.

I later went to Dr. Roger Hood in Overland Park, Kansas and got the same diagnosis; the joint was worn out and had to be replaced.

I really didn't have that much pain with my knee. I stood for long hours cutting hair and the swelling was a problem, but not painful. I went to the gym 5 mornings a week with few issues.

As long as I was walking on level surfaces I had few problems. I decided to wait for the surgery. Every day the surgeon learned another trick and the prostheses improved. 

Last fall sometime in September something changed. As I was walking the dog down a slope I felt a new sensation; kind of a wobble side to side. Using the same action as I had in the past I ignored it. It soon progressed to a situation I had to address.

I decided to have the surgery here in the Rio Grande Valley. A lot of us geezers reside here in the Valley and we attract physicians who specialize in orthopedics. Hospitals also specialize, one a 20 minute drive from our home. The streets in our park are nice and flat with cautious drivers, and we have a lovely pool and hot tub. There is also a fitness center here that I could use before and after surgery.

I called Dr. Bassett in October. I saw him in February for the first time. I had surgery on April 11th.

Taken Monday April 28th.

It was 103 degrees when I took my walk.

You can easily see the left knee is still swollen.

I'm walking down the street in my jammies because............

I can.

This is Karen, my Physical Therapist. She's been in the business 37 years.

Sure, she looks like Mary Poppins here but when she says she's going to straighten my knee red lightening bolts shoot out her eyes. I see her three days a week and she's really done a marvelous job. Earl the cat adores her and has taught her how to turn the kitchen faucet on.

This is Belinda (pronounced Bell EEN da, not Bee linda).

She is my home care nurse who comes twice a week to take vitals and check my blood levels. 

I'm on Coumadin to prevent blood clots and it needs monitoring.

I have to say it's been a better experience than I was braced for. Three weeks out from surgery I'm seeing improvement almost every day. It's been harder on my poor husband. He's responsible for everything from cooking to pet care and he's holding up great. 

I see the surgeon's assistant on Monday. He'll evaluate my progress and I'll plan my next knee surgery for this fall.

Hey, I've already got the walker!