Care Critical Echocardiogram In Indication Unit

Posted onDecember 07, 2011 - 3:20 am by Admin | 0 Comments

The phone rings. Mother says, ”I am having my knees replaced.” “Mother, you are 84 years old, are you sure you want to get your knees replaced?” “I am going to walk again so I can enjoy the last years of my life.” Mother had been in a wheelchair since 1986 when she retired. The cartilage in her knees had worn out. According to an article on Total Knee Replacement by AARP, “Osteoarthritis is a disorder in which the cartilage in the knee joint gradually breaks down, allowing the surfaces of the bones to rub directly against each other. Loss of mobility occurs."

Mother lived in her home and told her five children she wanted to stay there for remainder of her life. Two sisters supported idea; one disagreed, and the two brothers were noncommittal. No children were medical professionals. Since 1986, all children cared for her. A daughter lived in California, one lived with Mother, and the rest lived in the Washington, DC, area. They had a loose arrangement in caring for her; whatever needed to be done was rotated among all five. With the knee operation Mother was strong willed. She could not walk, but was the matriarch of her family. According to the same AARP’s article above, the risks of a knee replacement operation include: pneumonia, injury to nerves or the artificial joint, and other risks associated with surgery in general. Despite the risks, nothing could convince Mother not to have an arthroplasty.

Knee Replacement Surgery

Four children tried to help Mother achieve her goal of having the surgery. Her children were juggling households, putting children through college, working, and helping care for her. Mother supported herself financially. She had private health insurance and Medicare Parts A and B and retirement income. The surgeon had many tests performed. The day of the operation arrived. Three children were at the Washington Hospital Center. Hours later she was out of surgery. A phone tree was started to notify family members across the country.


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