Finally Going Into The Shop For A Partial Rebuild

No, not my truck. My old body. Lol.

After a failed attempt last year, it looks like all the pieces are falling into place for my double knee replacement surgery. I’m scheduled to turn my beloved truck in at our yard in TX on July 10, or hopefully a few days earlier. Then I will snag a U Haul van with my truck contents up to my storage in Wisconsin and then take my car to Kalamazoo MI where the surgery will be done. Pre-Op appointments start on July 16 and the surgery is scheduled for July 22.

The right knee will be first. After the Doctor feels I’m sufficiently recovered from that, I go back in to the OR for the left knee. The Doctor estimates I will be off work for about 3 months, but I hope to be back at work a little sooner, if possible. I know I will be diligent about my rehab and physical therapy. I don’t want to rush it too much as I’m sure I will come into contact with a number of pretty nurses and therapists. I want to maximize that opportunity. Lol.

Also, I hit my 300,000 mile mark with JS Helwig. It took me 27 months to do that. 75,000 miles in my first truck and 228,000 in my current truck as of the 27 month mark. That averages 11,222 miles per month and 2,805 per week during that time span. Very happy with my career, so far. Good company, good people and a great truck to drive. I also love the reefer aspect and will probably continue doing reefer until I retire.

Interestingly, with knee replacement surgery, an overnight hospital stay is not always necessary. Depending on the Doctor’s opinion, I may have my morning surgery and be sent home the same day. That is amazing to me.

While I’m in Kalamazoo for the knees, I will probably also have cataract surgery for both eyes and get my freaky finger fixed. While I’m in the shop, I might as well get as much done as possible.

God bless and good luck bk

Wow! You will need to change your avatar from BK to the "Bionic Man!" I wish you many more miles in this race we call life.

Interestingly, with knee replacement surgery, an overnight hospital stay is not always necessary. Depending on the Doctor’s opinion, I may have my morning surgery and be sent home the same day. That is amazing to me.

While I’m in Kalamazoo for the knees, I will probably also have cataract surgery for both eyes and get my freaky finger fixed. While I’m in the shop, I might as well get as much done as possible.

BK that is one Freekey looking finger lol, as for getting outta the hospital on same day as surgery, yep that's pretty common you just have to have someone drive you home or to where ever you are going to recoup at. Since I had my abdominals worked on last month and went home same day that was not too bad until the next day, Holy Cattle herd did that hurt, was literally flat on my back for the better part of 2 weeks. With your knee you should be ambulatory in a day or two but it will hurt, had that done when I was 20, could move about, but not so great. It might take a while before the first leg is strong enough to support you when the second leg gets worked on, at least a month maybe longer. Take care of your self.

BK,

I wish you all success in your upcoming surgeries. You seem have everything in order. There is no doubt that it will be painful but with your personal outlook on trying to correct these problems your inner self will overcome any of your obstacles.

Good luck to you for a quick recovery and hopefully back to trucking if you so desire. I will be pulling for you.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, and back in the saddle soon!!.....We had a customer at the shop I worked at for years. He was an older gent, a retired Marine. He left his truck with us, while he too went for double knee repairs lol.

He came to pick up his truck a month or so later, rode his bike to the shop. Said he felt "like new" again

Now don't get side tracked on any hot nurses you "may" have hahaha

Just don't push yourself, and heal, soon as your knees can, with the therapy etc

Good luck with the recovery! Follow the doctors instructions and don’t rush your recovery process. I had to have reconstructive surgery on my left leg back in 2020… the 8-12 week recovery turned into 18 months due to a non union and delayed healing of my femur. I lost my job and almost everything else over that and I’m still dealing with issues that arose from it almost 4 years later. Be sure to check with your company about FMLA before you have these procedures done to insure you will still have a job when you’re ready to go back to work. My 12 weeks ran out, then my 3 weeks of vacation I had and they let me go. Nothing sucks more than being in the middle of a major recovery and suddenly losing your health insurance. Luckily I was able to get on LTD which also unfortunately came with social security disability, which in itself was a nightmare. I worked my butt off to get off of it and back to work and not be a burden to the state.

anything to get out of talking to me huh?

Hope it all goes well sir, seems like you have all your bases covered!

That finger about made my toes cringe through the bottom of my boots. Good grief. Good luck to you man.

anything to get out of talking to me huh?

Hope it all goes well sir, seems like you have all your bases covered!

See that finger? I can’t dial the phone with that. Lol