A New Orthopedic Surgeon

At 3:00 P.M. I went to the new orthopedic surgery place. It's a big place with lots of doctors and helpers. My former orthopedic doctor was by himself with just four assistants.

They took x-rays and then I waited for the surgeon's Physician Assistant to examine and interview me. He said there were no alternatives to the total knee replacement, on the left side -- there's almost nothing left there -- and then he tried to show me pictures and plastic models of what they have to do during the surgery. I told him I was bothered by all that and he seemed quite disappointed.

He told me to get this operation done as soon as I can. When I asked for a more specific time frame he said do it in the next six to eight weeks.

My very sore right heel, that keeps me awake at night and makes me limp worse the the left knee, has tendinitis and (I wasn't clear about this) it's either hard to fix or the fix doesn't usually work. The podiatrist and the other orthopedic doctor said nearly the same. Or they didn't say much but really confused me.

Next step for tooth #31

The dentist saw me at 10:30 A.M. and after looking at the x-ray referred me to a oral surgeon who will see me early Thursday morning.

The dangers of flossing

While flossing under the old bridge, lower right side, I heard a tiny click and the bridge popped off. Looks like tooth #31, the back tooth of the bridge, has decayed away. It doesn't hurt at all. I'll call the dentist first thing Monday morning.

I have worried about this bridge for at least ten years. I knew there were problems with #31. It had several root canals and there was some evidence of a cracked root. But every time it flared up it got better in a few days. I always dreaded what they would have to do to remove it when the time came. As it was, I did it myself very painlessly.

New Sonicare Toothbrush

Began using the new Sonicare. It has a smaller head and seems to clean better.

Foot Checkup

Annual checkup with the podiatrist. There is no reoccurance of the nail infection.

Dental cleaning postponed, blood tested

Postponed dental cleaning to November 12.

Blood test at Sacred Heart, a followup to the medical exam last week.

A1C=5.7; PSA=0.9; chol is OK, but Trigl. too high.

Medical checkup

We reviewed the last sets of blood test results. We discused the left knee and I told him I wanted to see a different orthopedic surgeon. He said he would get me a referral to a new one, no problem.

I should lose some weight, test my blood sugar every few days and come in for another checkup in six months.