What Happened to Deb's Knee

In case you've been wondering why there's been no sewing lessons or Wednesday night Bible study for a while, here's the story.

Debbie Tibbs had her scheduled knee replacement surgery on Thursday, January 22nd. At first it seemed like a success, but her recovery was difficult. For one thing, they sent her home with only Pastor Tibbs as caregiver. Bad weather interfered with anyone else lending a hand. He became ill, possibly from food poisoning, as Bob is not a great cook. Deb noticed that her kneecap "popped" occasionally, as if it wasn't staying in the right place. Her pain and swelling from the surgery grew worse instead of better, indicating infection.

Joyce Brown, an experienced nurse, saw how much trouble Deb was having getting up and down from a sitting position, even with help. She recommended a lift chair, which boosts the seat as you get up. A flurry of text messages to the congregation raised the funds, and Gail Baker arranged for a chair to be delivered that same day. That helped immensely, and they were quite touched.

The popping and swelling continued. Deb's physical therapist heard it and saw it move, and urged her to see the doctor. But the popping didn't happen during a doctor's examination, so nothing was done. Meanwhile, Deb's heart medication and pain medication were interfering with each other.

On Saturday, February 7th, Joyce visited the Tibbs and declared that Deb needed to go to the ER because the pain and swelling were getting out of hand. As they were helping her down the front steps, Deb's surgical incision burst open and blood gushed out. Joyce immediately ran for towels and packed the wound to staunch the bleeding. They called for an ambulance, and Joyce was able to describe the problem in detail. She stayed behind and cleaned up the blood and straightened up the house. Bob later said that it was a gift from heaven that Joyce was there when it happened.

Deb lost so much blood that she required transfusions- two pints in the ER, and eventually a total of six pints while she was in the hospital. Repair surgery was scheduled for the next day (Sunday).

That Sunday was the day John Gill led us in a special prayer circle during morning worship service, lifting up Debbie as well as Katie Childress and Joyce Fox, who were all hospitalized. (Katie went home later that day, and Joyce Fox went to be with the Lord the following Thursday.)

Deb got some relief from hospital-grade painkillers, but she's not used to that. Her hallucinations kept Bob both entertained and exhausted.

While in the hospital, the popping and slipping of the kneecap continued, this time witnessed by the medical staff, and further surgery to brace it was needed by Tuesday. It became clear that the artificial knee would not stay in place, and she needed a different one with a new design that utilizes a hinge. There were only two such joints available in Kentucky, and one was shipped in. That device arrived in time for a full replacement on Thursday. So Deb underwent surgery three times in a five-day period.

After the new joint was implanted, the medical team wasn't about to take any chances. Deb was prescribed a regimen of intravenous antibiotics to ward off infection, which justified a stay in a rehabilitation center. This would also guarantee round-the-clock care and extra physical therapy. After a week and a half in St. Joseph's Hospital, Deb was transferred to Laurel Heights for rehab on Ash Wednesday. Before the transfer, Bob and Deb received ashes conferred by the hospital chaplain.

Deb is expected to remain in the rehab center at Laurel Heights for some time to recover. After all, that one knee has really been through the wringer. Healing is slow, but there haven't been any setbacks or complications so far. She is receiving antibiotics and she says the wonderful people at rehab are taking great care of her. Physical therapy is hard, but Deb is putting in the work. If you visit, use the 12th street entrance to access the rehab unit.

Remember to keep Deb in your prayers for a complete recovery, and pray for Bob, too.