Wound Vac Removal

My knee replacement surgery was on Monday, June 11th, 2012.  I left the hospital on Thursday, June 14th with an ugly wound vac on my leg.  The plan was to have it removed during my first physical therapy session on the following Monday.  The wound vac never really did seem to work properly.  There was a tube connected to the wound vac that went to a small hand held devise just a bit bigger than a deck of cards.  I had to carry it around with me all of the time. Basically it was just a nuisance.  The wound vac ended up looking similar to a piece of beef liver taped to my knee.   

Anyways, on the Saturday after my release from the hospital the hand held devise started beeping.  We checked the instruction manual it said there was a possible leak.  The alert light on the devise was lit up also.  So, after many phone calls to the doctors office and the hospital we finally got a call back from the surgeon, Dr. Alan Holiday, and he spoke with my hubby about what was going on and he told him how to take it off.

Above is the start of him removing the tape that was securing the wound vac to my leg. Below is the wound vac partially removed.  I was afraid the thing would stick to the incision and pull but it did not at all.

 

And here is my swollen leg with 42 staples The reddish blotch on the left is a blister that had started forming the day after the surgery.  Of course pulling off the wound vac made the blister pop which was an ok thing.  Hubby pressed a clean tissue against it to help drain it and then applied a clean bandage.  Luckily the hospital had given us a couple of them.  

I know it is already June 26th as I post this but with all of the rehab I am doing and exercising at home and laying with my leg up it is not exactly easy to get to the internet.  I tried blogging using the I-Pad hubby got for Fathers Day but could not get the pictures to come up so I'm using the lap top.  

I have more pictures to share but it is ice pack time so must bid you all ado for now.

Be Happy, Be Healthy and Be Safe,

Tess

  

An Almost Emergency

Greetings all, What an interesting day yesterday was. We thought we were going to have to visit the emergency room. Let me back up here and fill you in on what happened. My Hubby and I were discussing supper and what I might want him to fix and what he might want. We had come to an agreement, chicken wings, and he was about to get up to go start cooking. He had during the conversation teased that supper would be ready about 8:00. Way too late for me. Anyway, about that time the beeper alert alarm went off on my wound vac device. That was annoying to say the least. I had the instructions for thr device in my walker pocket and gave it to him. There was a yellow triangle lit up with an exclamation point so he read that it was an alert to possible leak. We could not find a leak that we could see or feel. I had noticed the drainage in sponge bandage over the incision had started turning a pretty shade of purple. Also the blister next to the bandage was getting bigger. We had not seen any drainage in the tube going from the bandage to the device all day either. We called the surgeons number and got an answering service and told them what was happening. She said she would page the doctor and call us back. In the meantime we called the hospital and tried to get connected to the surgical unit. No answer, I was not surprised as it was hospital patient supper time. The operator did connect us to the head nurse and she told chuck to turn it off and then back on. He had already done that once but he tried it again. She said to take me to the E.R. So a doctor could look at it. So hubby is getting me dressed to head to the hospital and saying maybe supper really would be at 8:00 when the phone rang. It was my surgeon. He spoke with hubby about what all was happening and what he had already tried and my surgeon said it was time to come off. The device is disposable an only good for 4 to 7 days. It was scheduled to come off on this monday at my rqehb appt. So hubby got instructions on what to do and then my hubby became my personal Dr. LOL! First a caretaker/nurse and now a doctor. I love my hubby so much for being willing to do whatever it takes to take care of me. I thought it would create a bloody mess but it did not. It pulled a bit at the skin but did not pull on the incision at all. The blister did pop so he let it drain and lightly pushed on it with a tissue to get it to drain a bit more and that was that. It was off! I expected pain and torture taking that thing off and really there wasn'nt much to it. Hubby just went slow and easy and took his time about it. We left it open to air out the rest of the evening while he fixed supper. I think I counted 38 staples but I could be wrong. I got to take a shower twice in the hospital and a sponge bath and at home I had a sponge bath but last night I got to take a shower and wash my hair. Woo Hoo! That sure makes a person feel so much better. Getting me into the bathtub is a whole different sturdy I will share sometime. In the meantime, Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe, Tess

I Am Home With a Brand New Knee

Greetings all, I am home. I had wonderful care while in the hospital. The nurses and aids were great as were the pt and ot people. My knee hurts something awful but I know within the next 3 to 4 weeks the pain should ease up. As long as I get up and do my exercises and walking. I have an awful time bending the knee at this point. But I can do it. I start rehab on Monday and am sure I will be able to handle it. Well I sorta have to now, don't I?! My surgeon came in to see me everyday. I tease my girls that I am now the "bionic momma". Yeah, the "the bionic momma"' I like that. Well I had better attempt sleep. I hope you all are doing well. Take care, Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe, Tess

Greetings all,
 It's been far too long since I last posted on my blog.  So much has been happening and I've just not had the energy or inspiration to connect.  Some of the happenings going on around here:
My osteoarthritis in the knees has been getting harder to live with.

About a month ago I went down to my basement only to step ankle deep into cold water.  We finally found that someone had turned on an outside hose, broke the handle off the spray nozzle and dropped it near a basement window.  Neighbors told the police they had seen some kids hanging out in the parking lot next door and the alley.  I figure they probably were just wanting to get a drink of water but....they entered a fenced in yard to get to the hose and then left it on.  So it was written up as vandalism and we had to call someone to come and get rid of all of the water, and carpeting and carpet padding.  Then weeks later they found mold and now the paneling is gone and they cut out and replaced some of the wall board.  I feel as if this basement clean up will never be done.

My husband has been having trouble with his back again.  His sciatic nerve is pinched and he has that poke in the buttocks feeling and his foot goes numb.  He has had an MRI and it was sent to a neurosurgeon to be reviewed.  Seems he has very bad arthritis along his spine.

And I am scheduled for complete knee replacement surgery on June 11th.  They will be replacing my right knee.  The metal is called Oxynium.  I think I spelled that right.  I am anxious, excited, nervous and hurting something awful.  I have been taking vitamin C, vitamin D3, Iron and Folic Acid to prepare for the surgery.  I am now off all of the anti-inflammatory meds I take and I sure can feel the difference.  I can't take anything right now that may cause bleeding such as aspirin or Naprosyn or Glucosamine.  I can't even take my fish oil at this point.  I must say I've noticed I have a bit more energy since starting the vitamins regimen.  I found the Vitamin C and vitamin D3 in gummy form.  Easy to take.

So, my apologies for being so absent here.  I will post again after my surgery.  I am scheduled to be in the hospital 4 days and off work for 4 weeks. 

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

Not much time left to enter this awesome giveaway.   Go check out Jodi Ohl's giveaway at her sweetrepeats blog and enter soon.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,
Tess

Smiles

Senses
Merging
Into
Loving
Emotions
Simultaneously
~ Teresa Mahieu, Jan.2012

Muffin Tin Mom: How to Make A Clay Heart Necklace (For Kids And Gr...

I found this fun and easy tutorial for clay heart pendants on Muffin Tin Mom. I am definitely having my cub scouts make these for their moms or granmoms for Valentines Day.
Take a look:
Muffin Tin Mom: How to Make A Clay Heart Necklace (For Kids And Gr...: My new crafty love is clay. Clay is great for little hands. Your little one can pound it and smush and mold it into different shapes. T...


Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,
Tess

Hello All,

I thought I would share with you what I have been doing and will be doing this year. I am taking an online class over here. The class title is Life Book 2012. Tam has brought together 15 wonderful artists to teach at different times throughout the year and in December we will bound our pages together for a 2012 LifeBook. Look here for a list of teachers.

Our first lesson was in the form of a video and PDF file from Tamara Laporte. Above is my 1st page. I must say drawing faces is hard and I really admire all of my artistic and creative online friends that are able to draw faces seemingly easily. I really had fun with this and will definitely do this lesson again just for the practice. If you are a member of willowing.ning do check out the LifeBook classes. I think it will be great fun. If you are not a member do check out the site. There is so much going on at willowing.

My word for this year is" Cheerful". I plan to try my best to be more cheerful throughout 2012. Depression has been a big part of my life as well as pain for so many years and I just want to finally kick it with determination. Trying my best to remind myself to be cheerful even when depression is knocking at my door will be a big undertaking but I do believe we can will things to happen and just maybe by choosing the word cheerful I may be on the right track.

So please tell me what have you all been up to so far during 2012?

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

Merry Christmas Everyone,

How can it be that it is already Christmas Eve?

Last minute shopping is out of the way and all of the gifts are wrapped.

With one pie baked and one still to go; I'm running behind on this task.

The floor still needs vaccumed, the pets are alseep, I think I will kick these shoes off my feet. Ahh, I love freeing my toes.

We've already had the first snow of the season here and it's practically all melted.

Here I sit in the middle of Kansas and the temp outside is 44 degrees.

Such a strange year of weather we've had.

It almost frightens me how mild it has been;

what with winter yet to really set in.

I pray you all will have a very Merry Christmas and that you will remember

"The Reason for the Season".

And if you do not believe in the christ child do believe this:

He believes in you!

I challlenge you to create wonderful loving memories over these next few days

and to remember to call those loved ones far away.

Cameras charged - Ready, Set, Go!!

*

God Jul

Joyeux Noel

Feliz Navidad

Happy Yuletide

Happy Holidays

Merry Keshmish

Mele Kalikimaka

Maligayang Pasko!

Buone Feste Natalizie

Merry Christmas

to all of you

wonderful

people.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

Happy Thanksgiving

Greetings Everyone and Happy Thanksgiving.

 I pray your day was full of food, fun, family and friends. 

 If not...remember, there are always blessings to be found:

 

Shoes on homeless feet. 

 A hidden can of tuna in the back of the pantry. 

 A found $5.00 bill in an old coat pocket from the Salvation Army. 

The smile on the soldiers face as he holds the door for you at the store. 

The smile on the soldiers face when you hold the door for him/her at the store.

 The laughter of cousins playing peacefully together. 

New friends...new family! 

Old friends...old family!

And pumpkin pie! :-)

Yes, there are always blessings to be found.  I pray you all found yours today.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

P.S.  Follow this link to the full version of the song/story of Alice's Restaurant on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjKF7aQthcQ&feature=colike

It's just not thanksgiving without Arlo Guthrie and Alice's Restaurant. ;-)

Hello Again

This is my new stove.  The old stove finally died after 40+ years of service.  As you can see I baked a casserole right away.  It is so good to be able to bake again.  This one has storage underneath which is really awesome.  And I now have two timers in my kitchen.  One on the microwave and one on the stove (the old stoves timer had quit too).

This is the new shelf hubby built for me.  The peg board was covered with a floral wall paper and I stripped it all off and he spray painted it white.  He then built the shelf and has plans for a smaller one below the one there.  The old stove had a topper with a warmer on top and a stove light underneith.  The warmer had quit working years ago so I used it as a shelf.  See the two little potholder hangerson each side of the wall?  I love them, they are inherited from hubbies mom too, as much of my kitchen stuff is.  She may have even made them because she was always making things with plaster of paris.  I got rid of most of her molds and such and now I wish I hadn't.

Sorry, I haven't been keeping up with my blog much. I do look in on a few blogs now and then and appreciate all of my blog friends.  I guess it really has been a while since I've logged on as now I am finding blogger has changed so now I have to get reaquainted with this site again.  And just when i was finally getting used to the Facebook changes.  LOL!!  Where did summer go? I'm afraid my art has taken a sideline too.  I have been going to rehab most weeks at least 3 or 4 times so bu the time I get home from work and exerciseing it's time start or finish making dinner and then I've just a brain fog.  I feel better when I go, my knees, but also feel as if I've gained weight instead of losing this last month.  Ugh!!  Same old story...I'm just a yo-yo.  Love me, love my fat.  LOL!!!  I've been staying involved with scouts too.  I resigned from one position/group that I just did not feel I was being of good service too anymore and am focusing on the Pack we joined a few years back to help out.  We are now fully comfortable with them and them with us. 

So I hope you all had a great summer and an awesome Halloween.  Here we are in November and before we know it we'll be sitting around the table with family and friends over big turkey dinners.  Ahh! yes, the smell of turkey cooking in my new oven will be a welcome scent.  :) And pumpkin pie too.  I must make pumpkin pie, it's my youngest favorite.  She'd have only pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dinner and be content I think, even now at almost 30.  My gosh where has the time gone?

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN

(Scary Clown at the B.O.S.S. Haunted House of Nightmares - Ft. Riley, Kansas)

Happy Halloween My Dearies! Do Have a Frightfilled Day!!!!

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

You Hold a Piece of My Heart Coffee Mug from Zazzle.com

Greetings one and all,

I invite you to visit my Zazzle shop and see what great gifts can be found there. The holidays are just around the corner so why not get an early start on your gifts list? You may find some fun and funky item you just can't live without.

You Hold a Piece of My Heart Coffee Mug from Zazzle.com

Thank You for having a look and have a great day.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

Social anxiety | ViewsHound

The author of this article describes eloquently the emotions felt when dealing with social anxiety.
Well worth reading, will you read yourself or a loved one in this article?
I did!!
Social anxiety ViewsHound

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

9/11 10th Anniversary Rememberance | ViewsHound

I joined Viewshound and invite you to view some of my short articles and photos such as this one:
9/11 10th Anniversary Rememberance ViewsHound

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

Me and my Girls

Lunch at the Bamboo Buffet in Manhattan, Kansas
Bobbie can't take anything too serious for long. If you've followed this blog for any time at all I am sure you can understand. Life is too short to take too seriously. She is doing good by the way. Still a left side weakness and such but all in all doing ok.

My favorite girls in the whole wide world. I can't belive my granddaughter will be 12 years old next week.



Just thought I would peep in and say hi and I'm fine.



Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,



Tess

Kelcy

Chloe

Chloe

Grace

Grace Kelcy

My nieces performed at the Sundown Salute 4th of July Celebration. The oldest is Chloe, in the yellow, and Grace and Kelcy are on the two opposite ends of the line in the red, white and blue costumes. Grace was so hot and tired she looked sad but she said she really had fun.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe

Tess

Horizon Line

Still playing along with Claudine Helmuth in her online Collage Composition class. I am so far behind. She's posted week 4 and I was just finishing up week 2. I've viewed most of week 3 but am not sure if I am going to like the vignette college or not.

Heading home after a long trip and the homestead is in site. (Horizon Line Composition)Calendar page for background, collage elements supplied in downloads by Claudine, watercolor pencils and crayons. I really enjoyed watching this come together. I thouhgt the background fit perfectly and all I had to do was spritz it with some glimmer mist.

She never feared the storm when he was by her side.

This one is on water color paper. I found the focal image in a very old Readers Digest and knew instantly it would be a horizon line image. Claudine supplied the boat image and sheet music. Water color crayons, glimmer mist and ink.

I found Claudine's book Collage Discovery Workshop on Amazon.com for a very good price and snatched it up. I love that I'm taking her online class and found her book at the same time. I'm really enjoying browsing through it before I sit for a marathon read. I need to focus on the class and start a vignette piece. There are so many Uber talented people taking her class and I'm loving browsing through the gallery and seeing how everyone elses using her collage sheet downloads.

I also found Misty Mawn's book Unfurling on Amazon at a really inexpensive price so bought it too. But then that is a whole nother story....

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

P.S. Don't fall down stairs while carrying an awkwardly shaped box. It really hurts and makes for some awful aches and pains and bruises.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

More from my Claudine Hellmuth Collage Composition workshop. I am having so much fun with this class.

Not really a collage as this piece is mostly paint, crayons and markers but I was thinking of the asymmetrical composition theme as I was playing. The little yellow dots are paper.

Another piece from my Claudine Hellmuth Asymmetricl Composition class. Or is it a Low Horizon Composition? I think it would fit it both categories. This is a paintover collage of a summer sunset.

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess

Asymmetrical Composition

Greetings fellow bloggers,

My apologies for not being around much. I have been in a bit of an artsy/crafty slump as well as very busy. (Aren't we all, busy that is?!) I've been to a wedding of a friends daughter and then to a reception for one of hubbies co-workers. Chiatra was married in India. It was so much fun trying out Indian foods and watching the video of her marriage ceremony while at her reception here.

We've also been doing a lot of yard work here and at Bobbie Jo's place. Bobbie is doing good but just cannot handle the yard work by herself. Hubby and I have also planted a pot garden. we have cherry tomatoes hanging in an upside down planter and a big pot with roma tomatoes. Also a big pot with bell pepper plants and another pot with snap peas. I already have pea pods forming and flowers on the cherry tomato plant.

Yesterday I was cleaning the weeds and such out of my rose bush that was dug up and transplanted here by me after my grandfather died many years ago. I had a terrible mishap and cut a good chunk out at the base. So we have decided to try to get it to root. Right now it is in water but hubby has been researching the process and we think we are going to attempt the sand and soil mixture in a pot with a plastic bag over the rose bush technique. I hope this works because if it does we should end up with 3 clippings plants and my mom has been wanting a piece for her new home for a while. I just had never attempted doing a cutting because I did not know how. I hope this works.

So to try to get out of the artsy/crafty slump I decided to take an online class over at Big Picture Classes. Since I really enjoy Collage I decided to try Claudine Hellmuth's Composition for Collage class. I love Claudine's art and liked that the class is self paced. You can still join in until June 8th . Above is my first asymmetrical composition collage attempt using Claudine's downloads. I just thought that sweet little girl was begging for wings.

So what have you all been up to?

Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Safe,

Tess