Athena's ramblings revisited

[Athena]

Not a friend just some stranger and I blocked him. He just contacted me wanting to ask a question. As I had posted my opinions on a few different topics yesterday I thought he might want some clarifications but no he wanted to talk about kinks instead.

I did feel disgust and a bit of fear, is this going to be my life now. This just adds to my male phobia.

I think when I was presenting as male I was so worried about not being lumped in with these men that I didn't really understand fully what women go through. Now that I am openly myself I see the fear and mistrust that women feel. No of course it's not every man but you just can't tell. There are men out there that seem ok at first but will turn on you in a moment of weakness. Am I being overly paranoid, probably but today sure doesn't help.

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you." ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

It's OK to be paranoid about some things. It keeps you safe.

Being worried about a xenomorph attack would be overly paranoid.

Being worried about a strange male, or just about any male, is normal for most women.

Men are concerned about women laughing at them. Women are concerned about men assaulting them.

Stay safe.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Athena]

So I had a doctor's appointment the other week. I had a vaginal exam and we talked about my knees and ongoing cough.

The vaginal exam I was really worried about the speculum but honestly I barely felt it. If you have an upcoming vaginal exam as long as you are following your dilation plan you should be fine. My results came back good.

My cough, ever since I was a mixer in a bakery I've had problems with extreme colds that last for months. I've had this current cough since June. Because I started to have issues when I worked in a bakery I was a bit worried about COPD but I've had xrays and breath tests and they found nothing. I hope that this time I'll have my referral to a breathing specialist accepted as they weren't taking new patients back in October.

As for my knees I got them X-rayed and the last time I got them X-rayed was in 2023. Theese are my results.

Findings:

Severe degenerative changes of bilateral medial compartments with marked joint space narrowing.

Mild degenerative changes of the bilateral patellofemoral and lateral compartments.

No acute fractures.  No dislocation.  No joint effusion.

I don't know if these findings are in comparison to 2023 or if they are over all. The worse part is that I live on the 3rd floor with no elevator. I can climb the stairs maybe once a day otherwise I can barely walk the next day.

[Dances With Trees]

One of my sisters had knee replacement surgery and is moving around almost as good as new. Hopefully, Athena, you'll find something that improves your quality of life. Chronic pain is no fun!

[Lori Dee ✅]

I have a torn meniscus in my left knee. It isn't bad enough to require surgery, so they gave me a cortisone injection. They warned that I may need one every six months or so. That was two years ago. I lived on the third floor too, but I stopped doing that. 😄

I am no expert, but the findings to me read like an arthritic condition. Have you considered an injection? They told me that if the cortisone was not helpful enough, they have another product that is thicker and lasts longer.

I am very active, so I know how knee pain can wipe you out. Hopefully, you will find a solution that works.
 

[Athena]

I think I am at the level of sever arthritis. I told my doctor that it feels like if I don't get my knees replaced then within 5 years I'll be in a wheelchair. I was supposed to get my knee's replaced before but I didn't want my knee's to interfere with my GRS. Also I was told to never get my knees replaced so I was a bit reluctant. Back then I would walk my neighbours dog twice a day and didn't have that much issue but now I just can't and I struggle to climb stairs at all.

I am in the process of getting my knees replaced. I am getting them both done at the same time which might not be the best option but I am hoping to only have to go through it once.

[davina61]

Feel for you dear, my knees are a bit knackered and having sciatica has left my left leg weak. Its worst going down stairs first thing ,going up with 2 bags of shopping I have to rest bags on steps and go up 2 at a time.

[Northern Star Girl ✅]

  @Athena
Dear Athena:
I am very sorry to read about your "bad" knees and severe Arthritis.  I winced from feeling
your pain just reading what you had posted.

I have a gal friend from my college days that I stay in touch with.  Several years ago
she had knee replacements, both knees at the same time.  Many doctors will not do both
knees at the same time unless the patient is younger and is in otherwise good health. 

Your thoughts regarding having both knees done at the same time has some good attributes
because as you hinted, you will only have to deal with ONE recovery.
The reason she desired to have both knees done at the same time is because the recovery
time for one knee is up to 3 to 5 months but if both knees are done the recovery is still
3 to 5 months or so, but with both knees done you DO NOT have a good leg to stand on so she
needed a live-in caregiver for at least a couple months for getting out bed, going to
the bathroom, and just getting around the house.  Not quite as easy as just having one
knee done, and that itself is not "easy" either and a caregiver may be needed for several weeks
and "walker" is needed for at least a couple months.  She told me that even after recovery that
stairs are still be somewhat of a challenge.
Her final comment was similar to what you stated about soon being in a wheelchair and she is very
happy that modern medicine gave her an escape route.

I am wishing you well with your plans, and be certain to have detailed and serious discussions
with your doctor(s) as you make your surgery plans.

I am looking forward to following this part of your journey.

HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

I think I am at the level of sever arthritis. I told my doctor that it feels like if I don't get my knees replaced then within 5 years I'll be in a wheelchair. I was supposed to get my knee's replaced before but I didn't want my knee's to interfere with my GRS. Also I was told to never get my knees replaced so I was a bit reluctant. Back then I would walk my neighbours dog twice a day and didn't have that much issue but now I just can't and I struggle to climb stairs at all.

I am in the process of getting my knees replaced. I am getting them both done at the same time which might not be the best option but I am hoping to only have to go through it once.