Replacement Parts

NOW AVAILABLE, originally uploaded by lalapapawawa.

My dad had his total knee replacement surgery on Monday. Both parents insisted I not be there. I could see their point. My parents have an amazing community of friends. It has always seemed to me, in the past, that mom was the social glue in our family. She was the one who made the introductions and the friends. But this is not the case here. Both mom and dad have skin the game, and both participate in their community.

So, the last time I was in a hospital with them, those people were there, keeping us company whle mom had her bypass surgery. This time, I knew they'd be just as attentive to my mom, while dad went through his surgery.

The results was a mixed bag. First and foremost, the knee surgery was successful. The doctor remarked that he should have had it five years ago, that there was so much mess behind his kneecap that it took lots of cleaning. But underneath that, solid bone. The day after surgery, the old man was up on his feet. And walking. And that's something.

Unfortunately, it seems dad also suffered a heart attack. He displayed an inverted T-wave and elevated enzyme levels, and during surgery he sweated down on the table. He was kept in ICU to monitor his levels before being released to a regular room. We are hopeful that it will not result in too much damage. So far, he's been without symptoms.

So this month gives me alot to be thanful for. I have great folks celebrating my birthday with me. My dad begins a new, less painful chapter in his life and all seems to be moving forward. The boss I had back in college tracked me down the last few weeks, and I've been able to reconnect with a really good guy. In three days, I will be driving my mom back to my house for a nice visit while dad does his rehab. It sounds like it may be shorter than we originally expected, but for all the right reasons. And in a little over a week, I will be exploring vistas two time zones away from here, even if just for a weekend.

More on that later. I have some packing to do.