DUKE THE DOXIE SPEAKS

Hello doxie lovers,


This is Duke, Mavis Duke Hinton's dachshund.

If you have read I AM DACHSHUND, I am introduced in that book, the second one of THE DACHSHUND ESCAPADES series.

I am writing on her behalf to let you know that she is still recuperating from her second knee replacement surgery--but she asked me to tell you that she'll be back soon, blogging away!

From my observation (and doxies are master observers, you know), she is getting along so much better than she did with her first knee surgery.  Why, she was able to do things for herself when she first came home, unlike the first time, when my human daddy Clark had to help her up from her recliner, etc.  And this time, her leg is hardly swollen at all!  Oh, if I forget and jump up on her lap on the right side, she lets me know right away to move away from her sore leg.  But I caught on pretty fast and don't do that anymore.

I like to stay close by her, though.  I want to do everything I can to help her get well so she will feel like playing with me again!  Daddy does sometimes, but all humans know that there's just nobody like mama, be they human or canine.

She got her 51 staples out on Monday, and I heard her tell Daddy that they did hurt somewhat, but she was glad to have them gone because they pulled sometimes.

She asked me to tell everyone that she'll be back soon, and to please check this blog for updates.  Don't forget to stop by now and then!

Until then, just remember that she is making good progress and is able to walk very well, but not very far yet, because she gets too tired.  She has already started outpatient therapy three days a week, and that will help her build up her stamina.

Thanks for reading this from me, and she'll be back soon!

Duke

I'M B-A-A-A-CK . . . SORT OF

Doxie lovers, I did have my knee replacement surgery on February 4.  However, I also picked up a virus of some kind afterwards, with nausea, fever, chills, and misery. 

Came home from the hospital and was doing fine with my in-home physical therapy, although the low-grade fever has continued to plague me--I'm told that's not unusual after surgery.

On Saturday night, Feb. 22, I began having excruciating pain in my leg, almost to the point of being unbearable.  Clark called the rescue squad and they took me to the ER.  After tests, X-rays, and a scan, they determined that nothing was wrong with my new knee (I was afraid something had come loose--that's how badly it hurt).  I was suffering from muscle spasms!  I never knew such could hurt that badly.

They put me on strong painkillers and muscle relaxers, and sent me home.  I could hardly put any weight on that leg for the next couple of days because the muscles were so sore.

Followed up with my ortho doctor on Monday to have my staples removed, and he said that some patients do develop those spasms after surgery (oh, lucky me!).  They can come and go, and I sincerely hope they have "come and gone."

I begin outpatient physical therapy on Monday.  I am making progress, but it is difficult for me to sit at my computer very long with my leg down (I don't have a laptop).  So I will try to get back to visiting with you as often as I can as I progress back to normalcy.

I am doing better at this writing.  Duke has been my constant companion, staying as close to me as he possibly can, and I don't know what I would have done without my dear hubby Clark.  He truly is an angel.  Blessings to all!

My dear Duke staying by my side

HAPPY FRIDAY . . . AND SURGERY

NOTE:
I will be having knee replacement surgery on Tuesday, February 4. 

When that knee heals well enough, I will have the same surgery on my other knee, but there's no way to know exactly when that will take place.  I do know that I am looking forward to walking without pain for the first time in many years!

Your prayers are appreciated, and I will return as soon as I can, because I will miss the opportunity to talk about "our" favorite dawgs--and anything else that comes to mind :).