All Guns Blazin'

(Dr. Thomas Whitten & his assistant, Bridgette)

(My physical therapist, Jeff Jones, and me after one of our sessions)
Don't let the smile on my face fool you!!!!

Seven long months later - I can finally say that I've recovered from my knee replacement surgery. SEVEN MONTHS!!! There are truly no words to describe this experience - but let's just say I don't regret having it done. Before the operation -I could barely walk. I'm serious about that - I did a wedding 3 days prior and it took all I had not just to burst out in tears at any given moment from the sheer amount of pain I was in. God bless my team - even though I was on a cane and hardly moving, they helped me pull off a simply exquisite event which thrilled my clients and their guests.

Joint replacement surgery is MAJOR and recovery depends on the patient. I was a notoriously bad patient - just ask the nurses and rehab specialists at the hospital!! But, I perserved because I HAD to walk again - not doing it simply wasn't an option for me. Through the walker, the cane, the long hours of physical therapy, the drugs, the tears.....and with a big heaping dose of God's mercy and grace - I can stand here and tell you that I feel so, so much better!!! So - the Manolos, Jimmy Choos and Stuart Weitzmans have all been placed back into service with the permission of my doctor. Although - I have to wear them in moderation, it's just good to put em' back on my feet and prance around a little - with no pain!

And speaking of my doctor, I have to give many, many props and the biggest shout out to my fabulous surgeon, Dr. Thomas Whitten, his wonderful P.A., Bridgette, and the incredible surgical/nursing staff at Mercy Medical Center. They were all truly angels to me during my surgery and recovery afterwards. I HAVE to give praise to my therapist, Jeff Jones, at Kernan Physical Therapy - that man had the patience of a saint. For every time I bitched, whined , moaned and complained - he would simply look at me and smile..then say, "let's try that motion again". While Dr. Whitten made me the "Bionic Woman", it was Jeff who taught me how to walk again and regain my sense of self.

I'm not going to say that I miss those daily, 2 hour PT sessions or the constant hum of doctors and nurses around me. Let's leave it at I'm truly grateful and very blessed to have had those fine individuals taking care of me and getting me back to my old self again :) In the words of one of my favorite comedians, J. Anthony Brown (of the Tom Joyner Morning Show), "y'all better watch out now!!!"