Making Progress

This week will be six weeks since my knee surgery due to an infection. I’m hoping to be off IV antibiotics and be only taking oral antibiotics soon. We’ll see what the doctors say. A knee infection may not seem like a big deal but it has led to surgery and lots of medicine. Eons ago people would die from such infections. I’m grateful that we now have ways of treating these infections.

Thank You Fountain Valley Rotary Club

I gave an in-person author presentation earlier this week to the Fountain Valley, CA,  Rotary Club. After all the pandemic time and then my knee infection, it was enjoyable to speak with people live rather than through Zoom. My current talk is titled “Lessons Learned During the Pandemic.” It features the variety of experiences both positive and negative I had over the last two years. It’s good to be back.

Family

I have gained an increased appreciation for my family during the last month of dealing with an infected knee. Our daughter lives a mile away, and she has been helping my wife and me while I’m not a hundred percent. Our oldest son who lives thirty miles away, came down the first two weekends after I was released from the hospital to assist me. Our second son who lives in Iowa is here this week helping with some needed house repairs and errands. And now that I’m driving again, I’m picking up our six-year-old grandson at school each weekday afternoon. Seeing him come running out of school and telling me the things he’s doing keeps a smile on my face.

Gratitude

While recuperating from an infected knee, I’ve had a chance to evaluate my priorities and plans. There’s nothing like a medical emergency to make you appreciate being healthy. I’ve taken some baby steps so far: short walks, driving, light exercises. I’m looking forward to getting back to other activities such as pickleball and golf. In the meantime, I’m extremely grateful that the rest of my family is healthy and safe. 

Assessing After a Medical Scare

After spending time in two hospitals and now home recuperating, I’ve been thinking a lot about what’s important to me, The sustaining force has been support from my family. I’m fortunate to have my wife with me, my daughter living close by and a son within driving distance. With an infected knee, I realize that a medical problem can happen at any time. Going forward  my focus will be on family. I’ll continue to be involved in writing activity and look forward to playing pickleball again. During the recuperation I’ve learned to pace myself: do some activity, rest, do some more activity, rest. I’ll be taking it one step at a time.