Mom update-- she made it through surgery in just over 90 minutes, which is fabulous, because being under anesthesia was her biggest fear. She's in a lot of pain right now, which my sister said was to be expected-- the first day of a total knee replacement is the absolute worst, she says.

So thanks, everyone for the ~ma-- it was definitely much appreciated.

And in a slight me update, I sat at my desk for the first time in three weeks today-- perhaps for a bit too long (eleven hours!) but I was getting up and walking around and moving, so it wasn't as if I was totally stationary. It was really nice to be back in MY space-- even got some writing done! Woot!

I was always much closer to Dad than to Mom. It made me a bit sad, because I generally respected Mom and loved her. But there were some basic communication and expectation issues that we were never able to gap. Dad and I could talk about almost anything but sex.

ETA: I'm glad your mom came through the surgery all right, Barb.

Yay for mom, and yay for mobility, Barb!

Given that I don't speak to my father, I am closer to my mother. (Even though she drives me batshit with her random abstract reasoning. Srsly random.) Growing up, I very much wanted to please my father, which is why I know how to fix cars and build things, but I never quite got the approval I was looking for.

I'm glad she came through ok, Barb. Your mom's knee probably came from my home town. Most of the major orthopedic parts do--lots of family working in the business so I hope her new knee is spiffy and works well.

I'm sure you had to be there, but to me, what Em said sounded purely practical and probably reflected her hearing adults say things like "If you need me, call."

fwiw, that's how I read it too.

Thanks, guys--

Cash, I hope it works well too-- what I'm worried about is that in putting off this surgery for as long as she did (something like eight or nine years ago she should've had the surgery) she's messed up her hip. I sure hope not, because she seriously will not go through another surgery anytime soon.

Knee replacement has had a really good success rate. my BiL's dad had both his replaced at the same time several years ago and he was overjoyed by the results. Definitely helped him stay active well into his late 70s. He's still going strong on them.

I am closer to Juliana's mother than I ever was to my bio-mom.

Total yay for your mom, Barb! My mom has had both knees done, and it isn't pretty. Glad to hear it went so well. Just make sure she does the rehab! It's seriously imperative.

I am closer to Juliana's mother than I ever was to my bio-mom.

My parents would adopt you anytime, babe. They love my friends like they love me, for real. My dad once called in sick for one of my friends when she was having a horrible day.

I am closer to Juliana's mother than I ever was to my bio-mom.

She's still waiting on your visit up to the Frozen North!