So Very Thankful

It's Thanksgiving night and I was planning on pounding the pavement doing my 1-mile walk, knowing that come December - which is rapidly approaching - my daily walk will jump to 2-miles. But I wanted to spend time with my mother this morning, plus we had a two hour drive to the Mississippi Coast. I had hoped to walk when we got home tonight, but it's just too late. Tomorrow is another day.

As I drove today I began thinking about the past year, and remembering what I was thinking this time last year. Mother and I spent last Thanksgiving with my cousin and all of her family. My cousin had just had her right knee replaced. My first surgery was scheduled  for January, and I hoped I would have my second surgery by summer. I remember saying I couldn't wait for Thanksgiving 2016 to arrive, because I would have had both surgeries and completed rehab.

So here we are ... Thanksgiving 2016. I've had both surgeries and completed rehab. First goal set, and accomplished.

I am so very, very grateful this Thanksgiving. I'm thankful Brian Sealy, PA, referred me to Dr Billings, suggesting Dr. Billings would likely agree with his decision that I was a good candidate for total knee replacement surgery. Thankful Dr Billings accepted me as a patient and agreed to do my surgeries; this, after four other surgeons turned me down. I'm grateful for nurses Sylvia and Rhonda - who work with Dr Billings - assisted me in every way. I'm thankful for residents Dr Hester and Dr Apple. I can't remember the names of the nurses, techs, and others who cared for me at Tulane Medical Center, but I am very grateful. Thanks go out to my physical therapists, physical therapy assistant, and techs. They put up with me in the good, and not so good moments

I'm unbelievably grateful to my mother who cared for me in the weeks after the surgeries. She was a trooper. Needless to say, I appreciate everything my neighbors and friends did for Mother and me. It has been a whirlwind of a year. If all goes as planned, next year - 2017 - will be the culmination of my goal to walk the Crescent City Classic. I hope friends and family will join me.

So, it’s one foot in front of the other to the finish line!