Monday, June 1, arrived and it was a big day for me. I had surgery scheduled for 8:45 a.m. with Dr. David Abraham for a complete left knee replacement. I have been planning this for weeks, so I’ve built my courage up and I was ready for the pain.

My granddaughter, Kassi Martin, picked me up at 5 a.m., and we headed to St. Peter’s Hospital. Kassi stayed with me until 8:30 a.m. when Dr. Abraham was ready for me.

Dr. Abraham told Kassi he’d be finished with the surgery around 10 a.m.

My grandson, Brandon Clark, visited me and brought two beautiful red roses.

My loving sister, Pat Sykala, came and later her daughter, Sondra Weigand, came and brought me flowers from her garden. They were a beautiful bouquet and contained bleeding hearts, one of my favorites.

Tuesday, June 2, loomed and I was suffering severe pain. I didn’t know I had to ask for a pain pill when needed. I thought I would be given pain medicine as a part of my medication. The pain was so severe that I was struggling to walk and do the exercises.

By the time I asked for pain medicine I was in deep pain and it took an hour for the medicine to bring me a little relief.

The occupational therapist taught me how to dress myself and the physical therapist taught me the exercises necessary for bending my knee and walking.

Brandon came in to see me after work, and then my brother, Ken Richardson came and brought me a red and a yellow rose. I felt so sleepy and it was probably from the pain medicine.

On Wednesday, June 3, I went to occupational and physical therapy. My PA came in to see me and said he expected me to go home, but the nurses and therapists suggested I go to rehab. I decided to go for a few days and chose St. Peter’s Rehabilitation Center. I went there at 3 p.m.

My daughter, Marcia Pangburn, and granddaughter, Kyra Swan, came in to see me. Jenn Smith and Iain Bullis also spent time with me.

On Thursday, June 4, I did both the occupational and physical therapy. Kassi came to visit me and brought me macaroni and cheese. I had mentioned that I didn’t have an appetite.

Jenn and Iain came and brought me a slice of cheesecake. Danielle’s friend Hannah Winzenread, also visited me. She works on the third floor here and it was only her second day back to work after being on maternity leave.

Hannah now has a daughter, Kyra, and her two-and-a-half year old son, Casey.

I asked to have my pain medicine put on a schedule; that has started allowing me to focus on my therapy.

Friday, June 5, went much smoother for me. I was able to put more effort into occupational and physical therapy.

Hannah stopped by and gave me a hug and a chocolate candy. My daughter, Kathy Carnevale, stopped in after work. Brandon and Jenn came in for a evening visit.

On Saturday, June 6, I went to physical therapy in the morning and occupational therapy in the afternoon. Brandon and Jenn came for a morning visit. Reverend Tim Van Heest came to visit me in the early evening.

Sunday, June 7, arrived and Marcia came to have breakfast with me. She brought me a breakfast sandwich; and a corn muffin, and coffee for herself. Marcia stayed until 11 a.m., and then went to continue her day’s activities.

I read a lot and also wrote my column. Now I want to meet with the doctors so I can return to my love filled, beautiful home in the Helderbergs.