FAMOUS LAST WORDS ...... OCTOBER 01 2011.......................

How many times have you uttered those famous last words, only having to eat them later?  Join the club.  You would think that by now I would keep my mouth shut.  Yeah, right.  Open mouth, stick in foot, or some such thing.

For the last couple of years my knees - yes both of them - have been bothering me.  I have tried to ignore this as bad knees is an old lady thing.  I'm not getting any younger, but really don't feel like an OLD LADY.  One of these days I will tell you the story of my "Death" and "Obituary". 

This year the left knee has gone over-board in the pain department on some days.    Finally I had to break down and make an appointment with the Orthopedic group in Washington.  Woe is me.

When I mentioned this to Jerry, he shrugged his shoulders and informed me I would probably get cortisone shots.  Now open mouth.

"They're not giving me cortisone shots!.  I have heard too many horror stories about the excruciating pain connected with the shots, and that they really don't do any good.  Not me!"

So bright and early yesterday morning I am at the doctors, filling out about 10 dozen forms.  You would think I was getting a physical to fly to the moon or some such thing.  I thought computers were supposed to do away with all the paper work.  Silly me.

Upon completion young man, I guess he was an aid, took me to an examining room and got my history of the pain in my knees.  Told him some days not too bad, other days, REALLY bad, especially left knee.  From there I went to X-ray, just a couple of doors down the hall.

Talk about computers and machines, you could not imagine this X-ray machine.  I never saw anything that compares to it.  First you stood facing a white board from mid-thigh to the floor.  Bend left knee.  Hold it.  Fine.  Bend right knee.  Hold it.  Fine.  Now turn sideways.  Right knee bent, left knee behind you.  Turn other way.  Left knee bent,  right knee behind you.  Next you stand with your back to the board   Hold it. Fine.  We are finished.  I'll bet it took less than 5 - yes I said 5 - minutes.

Back to the exam room and the real doctor appeared, and there were the X-ray pictures of my leg bones on the screen.  What a scary sight. 

Knee replacement will be done eventually, but not yet.  There is a set of rules that you have to follow first.  Because of insurance.  What else?  Unless you are rolling around on the floor, writhing in pain, tears streaming down your face, you have to follow the rules.

First - CORTISONE shots.  You heard me.  Second - Lubrication shots.  Third knee replacement.

I told the doctor right away about my concerns regarding cortisone shots, the pain, no relief, etc., etc.  He told me when he gives the shots they are virtually pain-free as he adds lydacaine, spell-check didn't knowwhat to do with this word,  (a numbing med) to counteract the pain.  I would feel a pin prick, a tingling, and a band-aid.  Some shots don't help.  Some help for a few weeks, then another shot.  Some will help up to several months before another shot.

Once the cortisone is no longer giving relief, they start with the lubricating shots.  These are VERY HIGH PRICED and the doctor will have to get permission from the Insurance Co to administer these shots so they will be covered. 

Once these shots are no longer effective, surgery, in all probability, will be scheduled.

I really like this doctor, had the cortisone shot.  He was right, pin prick, tingling, band-aid.  Piece of cake. 

Now, how am I going to admit to Jerry that I agreed to the cortisone shots?  I am anxious to see if it does help, and for how long.  I do know that right now, this morning, I am not having the degree of pain I have been having.  Who knows?

Now it is about time to leave for where the bus will pick me up for the trip to Smicksburg.  Right now the knee is feeling pretty good.  Have a good day and God Bless.