Just wanted to take this chance to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone on the forum. The last 2 years have been very challenging for all of us. I am thankful we can support each other. On Tuesday, I had a total knee replacement. The surgery went great. I was in recovery by 1145 and up walking with a walker and demonstrating i could climb stairs by 1215. Discharged home by 1230. First day and a half went great, but this am I think my pain block is gone. Now the hard work begins. Everybody tell your loved ones at least 2 things you are thankful for this past year and enjoy the holiday.

Beautiful post, Gary! I too wish everyone on the Forum a great Thanksgiving as well. Though I cannot participate in the Forum as much as I used to, I often think of all of you and so glad that you are here, both the veterans and the newbies who share this love for peonies. With all the additions that you guys added to your garden, the coming years will be so exciting. I look forward to see beautiful blooms from everyone's garden next spring.

Gary, what an amazing speed of recovery from your operation! You are so blessed to have such a great doctor and team for your surgery. Was the operation for both knees or just one of the knee? I have been suffering from terrible knee pain as well. At which point did you decide the operation was necessary?

Lavender Hill TP - lovely bloom - can't wait to see it again next year.

Thanks Karen for the beautiful bloom. I am only 58 years old, but had constant pain in my right knee that would come and go over time. About 6 months ago it started to hurt and swell and has not stopped. I had an MRI on 11/3 and made the decision to go ahead on 11/10. I found a great surgeon who does robotic totals and he made an extra effort to get me in before the end of the year, 11/ 23. Joints are constantly improving and if you are in relatively stable health they send you home same day . I had to watch several virtual classes and attend a pre physical therapy class, but all the preop lab work and history and physical. I hope to be back to work in 8 weeks or less. My wife is an RN and I am a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). It is already worth it and will only get better. Hopefully it will give me my flexibility back for gardening. No need to walk around in constant pain. Hope this helps Karen.

Happy ThanksGiving everyone. Garry, I hope your surgery will heel fast.
Karen, it's nice to hear from you, what a lovely Lavender Hill bloom, looking forward to see more blooms in Spring.

Gary I wish you a quick recovery, my wife had the same surgery last week so I know what you are going through ,keep up the good spirits.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and fast recovery to you, Gary!

Happy thanksgiving to all. Thanks for the update, Gary. I hope everything continues to improve and you will soon be back doing everything you love, and have no knee pain.


Good to hear from you, Karen. I hope you will be able to share some more blooms this coming Spring! Your Lavender Hill is gorgeous!

Here is Good Lady, an unregistered Chow Lutea hybrid blooming in April.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We certainly miss and think about you when you're not posting here, Karen. Your peonies are an inspiration, love Lavender Hill! Gary, glad your recovery is going well. Smart to recognize when it's time to get it fixed rather than deal with the pain, regardless of age. LG, I got Good Lady last year as well, don't think it bloomed this spring though. So pretty!

Thanks everybody! I really miss being on here. Due to my knee issues in July and August, my garden had been neglected and it's a mess. My condition has improved somewhat since Sept so I am still catching up with the weeds and mulching. It's hard to enjoy much when you are in pain. But there are more good days than bad now so I am very hopeful.

Thank you very much for that information, Gary! If you don't mind my asking, what is robotic totals? and did the doctor find out the cause of your knee pain?

Karen, I have osteoarthritis in my major joints. It deteriorates the joint until the function is lost. With robotic replacement, they use 4 dimensional imaging to recreate the joint as well as make all the measurements and recommendations for the new pieces of the new joint. Supposed to be more precise.

graycrna4u said:Karen, I have osteoarthritis in my major joints. It deteriorates the joint until the function is lost. With robotic replacement, they use 4 dimensional imaging to recreate the joint as well as make all the measurements and recommendations for the new pieces of the new joint. Supposed to be more precise.

Thanks a lot, Gary! That is very helpful!

Happy belated thanksgiving! I am super thankful for all the knowledge and enthusiasm you guys shared with me the last couple of years. I learned so much!

Gary- wish you a speedy recovery and hope the replacement will bring you significant improvement. :)

Karen - I am so sorry you're in so much pain. I am also so happy to see you on here and hope the issue with your knee resolved soon! I am sure your local pollinators are super thankful for your beautiful garden.