You should definitely not be dreading it. If you did your homework and know your surgeon is one of the best then you should be celebrating that your days of pain will soon be over for good. My doctor waited and waited to replace my knees because as he put it "I was so young." Under 60. I insisted and well, it's the best decision I've ever made. I had them done one at a time because he told me both at the same time is too hard on the patient and could be dangerous because if infection should set in that would be very complicated. He said it's just better to have a good leg to stand on while recuperating from the other knee surgery. I'm going to recommend you buy this book entitled Total Knee Replacement & Rehabilitation. You can find it on Amazon for not much money. It's written by Daniel J. Brugioni, MD and Jeff Falkel Ph,D., P.T., CSCS If my memory serves me, one of the authors actually went through a knee replacement. At any rate they are in the business and this book is an excellent guide to prepare for what is to come. Being informed and ready for the pain afterward, the PT and how difficult it can be at times, etc. is the key to a fast and successful recovery. Remember to always take your pain meds 1/2 hour before therapy. This is imperative. Another word on pain meds. Take them as instructed. Do not skip or be late because you don't want to the pain to get ahead of you and my last personal piece of advice is ice, ice, ice. This is what keeps the swelling down because it's the swelling that causes the pain. In the book I'm suggesting they talk about pre surgical exercises. I can tell you these made a world of difference in my recovery because I had built up the muscles in my leg which helped me get around by day 2 with a walker. I'll tell you I suffered like heck. I was 3 weeks after my first one and I told my DH I couldn't wait to get the other one done and his comment was "are you nuts?" That's because he'd listened to me yell, cry, complain after surgery, but the fact is I knew by the 3rd. week I had made the right choice in having it replaced and couldn't wait for round 2. Round 2 was 3 months later and it also hurt like heck. LOL There are lots of forums and discussion boards on the net that you can go read from other people who have gone through the surgery and there's nothing like getting first hand knowledge and hearing how others have faired. You'll read bad stories, but the majority are victories. I know of one very good forum but because my memory is not worth a darn anymore, for the life of me, I cannot remember the name of it. When it comes to me I'll post it here for you. So don't dread this surgery. Prepare as much as possible and you will up and dancing in no time!! Good luck.

Tuna and Dill Tea Sandwiches 1 large can white tuna in water 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 3 tablespoons yogurt 2 tsps. fresh dill, chopped 3-4 chive leaves, chopped 1/4 cup chopped cucumber 1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel Mix together ingredients, and spread on thin bread that has had the crust cut off. Cut into triangles. If you wish a piece of lettuce can be placed on the sandwich also. About the author: Brenda Hyde is editor of Seeds of Knowledge, a freelance writer, cook, gardener and Mom. Growing and using herbs has become one of her favorite things. -------------------------------------- Light Herbed Cheese Dip 1 package (8 ounces) light cream cheese 1/4 cup plain yogurt 2 tablespoons each fresh dill and parsley, chopped 2 small green onions, chopped 1/2 tsp. each minced garlic and salt Put cream cheese and yogurt in food processor and or blender and process 1 to 2 minutes. Add other ingredients and process for just 30 seconds to blend. Serve with raw vegetables. ----------------------------------------------- Cucumber and Sour Cream Dressing 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and grated (1/2 cup) 1/4 tsp. salt 2 tsp. Dijon-style mustard 1 tablespoon vinegar or fresh lemon juice pepper to taste 1/2 cup sour cream 1/4 cup plain yogurt 1 tablespoon snipped fresh dill In a small sieve set over a bowl, toss the cucumber with the salt and let drain for ten minutes. In a blender blend the mustard, vinegar, pepper and salt to taste. Add the sour cream, yogurt and the dill. Blend -------------------------------------------------------- Dill Butter 2/3 cup fresh dill leaves 3 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves 2 sticks unsalted butter 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 3/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper Finely chop the herbs, add butter and mix until combined.Add butter while whisking vigorously. Season with salt and cayenne. Makes 1 cup. (Serve a pat of Dill Butter with Grilled Steak.....really good!)

Add me to the It Looks Like Shingles to Me list. Get him to a Dr. asap. just to be on the safe side. They can start him on meds. to minimize the time frame. The pain can be HORRIFIC especially if untreated & can cause lasting pain/nerve damage & potentially serious complications especially if the eyes are involved. Shingles are very common in immune suppressed people. Also, I *think* they might be contaigious to those who've never had chicken pox.

CR,do you live out in the country?? I ask because you have so many dogs,and where i live(own my own home,no HOA's etc) we're not allowed to have that many,and it's a good thing,as far as i'm concerned. I don't have any animals now,but that hasn't always been the case.I gave my son his dog back last year,and decided then i didn't want anymore.Easy decision for me as dh didn't want most of the ones we had,so he's a happy camper now.LOL Kathi