THE FIRST IMAGE MAY BE ENLARGED BY A CLICK THAT CAN BE REPEATED IF REQUIRED. A CLICK ON ANY OF THOSE IN GROUPS ACCESSES ITS GALLERY, MEMBERS OF WHICH CAN BE VIEWED FULL SIZE BY SCROLLING DOWN AND CHECKING BOX TO BOTTOM RIGHT
When a knee surgeon, having laid you out, stretched, twisted, and probed, opens his diagnostic announcement with a deadpan “Your chances are good”, that could be considered disconcerting. So it was this morning at my assessment at Old Hall Hospital. Chances, er, chances? What followed, still deadpan, was perhaps a reassuring explanation. “One in hundred have complications, usually because of surgeon error. Unfortunately one in ten thousand don’t make it.” Apart from my abused knees I am apparently in good enough nick to take a punt. It is of course my choice.
I took it. I need total knee replacements; the left one as soon as possible, the right after six months. Normally the first operation would be carried out within two months. Would I be available for any possible cancellation? You bet.
My appointment took place in the Clock Tower of this listed building. It is good to be worked over in a location that satisfies my soul.
Jackie, who, of course had driven me to the hospital, took us back through the forest.
We revisited the mill house, its outbuildings, and the race beside the bridges over the River Avon where I had photographed Richard’s ‘Casting Practice’ three days ago. A solitary swan demonstrated the the two wings of the river link up in the distance. Braemore Great Bridge is the one on which I stood to focus on the angler.
I have featured the parasitic mistletoe before, mentioning how prolific it can be. These avenues leading to and from Hale House appear to wear their summer foliage. This is not so. All we see is mistletoe. Daffodils and primroses still line the verges.
At Brook we lunched on excellent fish and chips in The Green Dragon. The view from the window would perhaps have adorned any chocolate box.
This evening we dined on a scrumptious, thick, mushroom omelette.
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Oh, wow, Derrick. I’m so sorry you have to go through that. That being said, my mom went through one 1 1/2 years ago with flying colors. I hope yours will go the same way!!!
I want that omelet. Now, please.
Thanks a lot, Luanne. I expect it to be OK š
I hate to hear of a friend of mine going through that knee surgery, but you’ve been in pain for quite a while now – time to get it taken care of. Love the photos, so thank Jackie for the trip through the forest!!
Many thanks, my good friend, GP. I have got to the point where I want it done
Great light and clarity on some lovely compositions. Mushroom omelette makes me hungry.
New knees will have you bouncing around like a spring lamb soon and you may have to drive Jackie around for a change.
š Many thanks, Mary.
I need my knees fixed too. Good luck with yours.
Thanks very much, Sherry. Will you be able to get yours done?
I’ve been putting it off.
Don’t wait too long, Sherry. I did that. It was only an X-ray that demonstrated the op was urgent. Just days after the diagnosis I can barely walk at all. I wish you well.
Knee pain is never fun. I’m glad you’re getting this taken care of sooner, rather than later. I know many who’ve had knee replacements and their quality of life has certainly improved. Yours will too, Derrick. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Very many thanks, Jill. My “chances are good” š
Sorry to hear you have to go through that. Hope all will go well!You will be in my prayers, my friend!
I’m sure I will. Very many thanks, Sofia X
You have been really careless with your knees, wearing them out like that! I hope you take better care of the replacements,
Things look truly beautiful back where visiting daughter has now returned; but she says she misses the sunbathing and scant clothing.
Very many thanks, Leslie. Guilty as charged.
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Isn’t it grand that wonky knees can be made unwonky! Your surgeon could do with some bedside training though……… It won’t be too long and you will be bounding through your English countryside like a young buck again š I particularly like today’s header featuring the swan – it looks peaceful.
Very many thanks, Pauline. It is pretty grand š
Oh my I thought you were having surgery today!! I hope you feel well derrick!
I do feel well, Lynn, thanks very much. Maybe I’ll get a cancellation and won’t have to wait two months, which isn’t long in itself
That is not bad !
Good luck with the knee surgery, Derrick. Hopefully a cancellation will come up, but two months will go by in a flash.
The forest drive scenes are always a treat, and that fish & chips dinner looks wonderful! It’s hard to get good fish & chips here.
Give our best to Jackie. š
Thanks very much, Lavinia. The fish and chips were, indeed, perfect. How pub food has changed in my lifetime. I will pass on your best.
Ouch!! Most of my friends who have had the surgery have said they wished they had got it done sooner, instead of suffering for so long! The recovery isn’t easy, but the results can be blissful. Go for it Derrick š
Very many thanks, Val
A couple of friends and family members have had knee replacements with great success. Wishing the same for you.
Many thanks, Peggy
I hope that all goes well with your knee surgery.
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
Lovely photos, Derrick. That swan header is stunning. Will stay tuned re: the surgery.
Thanks very much, Jodie
I think you’ll do really well with this, Derrick. People I know who’ve had it have done well and all haven’t been in as fine a fettle as you seem to be. I’m glad the doctor was a bit dry. He probably sensed you didn’t need a lot of reassurance. And your photos–lovely–the kind that make me take a deep breath and exhale.
Very many thanks, Lisa. So insightful about the doctor’s sense – just right for me, actually.
Having had … well, decades of orthopods ‘manipulating’ my knees, I know exactly how your examination felt. Good news about the surgery dates though. I’m glad the Dr laid it out for you. I used to get so tired of prying information out of the ‘don’t want to upset you or hurt your feelings’ brigade … although, very early on in the game I did have one ijit ask if I’d like him to speak to my husband.That conversation went downhill fairly quickly from there. š
What an ijit! Thanks for the solidarity, Widders
The tree-lined avenue leading to Hale House has been ably transported to my screen. All those doctors terrify me with their godly worldview. I wish the best to your knees.
Very many thanks, Uma
You are in good health, and your attitude is amazing, so I’m sure your chances will be ‘better than good’!
Very many thanks, Diane š
They have been doing knee replacements for quite some time and it is really very safe. Naturally they have to tell you all possibilities for a complication, like for any operation. For guy who has gone thru 2 knee operations on my left knee but unfortunately at such a young age (in my mid 40’s)….you will do just fine.
Thanks a lot, Gary. I recovered very quickly from a knee replacement 9 years ago
Oh Derrick I wish you all the best of luck with your upcoming procedures. and may you continue to glide along gracefully like the swan on the Avon River….
Thanks very much, Ivor – a nice image
I hope that cancellation manifests quickly, Derrick. The waiting is hard. I imagine you just want to get on with it now š And hopefully you will be recovering soon – under sunny skies in your beautiful garden š
Quite right, Sandra. I hope so, too
Ah! Sorry to hear you are joining the ranks of the ‘prosthetic’ club Derrick!! š However, after having cared for many joint replacement patients when I was still nursing, I do believe you will find the results a great relief and well worth the exercise (:) excuse the pun!). Holding thumbs for a swift resolution for you…
Many thanks, Rob. I joined the ranks a long time ago – cataract about 20+ years ago; hip 9 years ago. No apology needed for a good pun š
knee surgery, you’d do anything to get out of gardening, hmmmm? Ha, just kidding, you’ll be like a young buck again once they’re done, running circles around the ponies š peace and best of luck, K
Thanks a lot, Kim š
I’ve never heard any bad news about modern knee surgery. This is good and we can all look forward to more great photos.
Very many thanks, Paol
Wonderful photos, as always, Derrick. That mistletoe is amazing, and the swan is lovely. I know so many people who have had knee surgery, and they have all been pleased with the results. I hope all goes smoothly, and you have an easy recovery. They seem to get patients up and moving now it seems very quickly after the surgery.
I agree with the others that the mushroom omelette sounds delicious. š
Very many thanks, Merril, for reading, for commenting, and for encouragement
You are quite welcome, Derrick.
So sorry to hear you have to go through this but in the end you’ll have the latest knee model to serve you well. Your photos are wonderful and that fish! WoW!
Thanks very much, Pamela
Best, best, best! As other readers have commented, I know you’ll come through with flying colors. That fish looked very tasty. And the mushroom omelet? Oh, yum!
Very many thanks, Laurie
My husband has had both knees replaced with great results. He had some issues with the anesthesia, but other than that did very well. Let us know when yours is scheduled and weāll send extra good vibes your way. Jackie is going to need good vibes, too.
Many thanks to both of you, Leslie. Will do
Living in an over55s occupied by people with private health insurance we have an abundance of surgery going on, hips, knees, rotator cuff being common. All seem to come through with flying colours. Assisted by their high level of good health and general fitness before surgery, so I’m guessing it will go well for you too. All the very best with it!
Thanks very much for the encouragement, Gwen
One of my friends is back playing a little light rugby after a knee replacement. I’m impressed by the quality of replacement knees. š
Good luck with it.
That is encouraging, Quercus. Many thanks
Having been through a double knee replacement myself, I know how daunting it can be, but I’m confident that after the initial pain and the hard work of physical therapy, you’ll be so glad you did it – I definitely am! Wishing you all the best with it Derrick, keep us posted. š
Many thanks for the encouragement, Julie
Lovely pictures Derrick and good wishes for knee replacement.
Many thanks, Rupali
Best of luck, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Clare
We know many people who have had knee replacements and are better for it. All the very best.
Very encouraging LL/PS. Thanks a lot