Dodging the Tsunami Bullet -- February 27, 2010

Just in case you were wondering - we are fine.

Oahu has a series of air sirens all around the island.  During the first week of each month all sirens go off for testing.  They are really loud!! This morning at about 6 a.m. the sirens went off - for real.  

The sirens are pretty easy to recognize.

About 4 a.m. upon turning on the TV (the sleep machine) we insomniacs saw the "breaking news" warning that the Chilean 8.8 earthquake likely produced a tsunami, and it was coming our way. Located here, NOAA's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initiated notifications at six. All local stations (ABC, NBC, CBS) were talking about the earthquake in Chile, the possible effects here, and what we should do and expect to happen.  They sent their reporters and cameras to key places here on Oahu and to the Big Island, since the island of Hawaii would be hit first.

When we were looking for a place to buy, John (bless his soul) made certain that any places we considered were not in a tsunami evacuation zone.  (So, we're not, and we're on the 12th floor.) On the other hand Waikiki is such a zone and people were told to move above the 3rd floor and stay off the roads. This was a major change to the prior evacuation plan for the island. Previously folks were to seek higher terrain a few blocks mauka of the beach areas. The last time this resulted in gridlock on the roads. So this "horizontal" evacuation was changed to a "vertical" evacuation - go to higher floors in the hotels and condos.

Well, the 2 or 3 meter water rise did not occur. We watched Hilo harbor on TV as the water oscillated in and out like a river that couldn't make up its mind which way to go. The water level rose slightly over 3 feet. But it came at the calculated, appointed time at 11:05 a.m.

This will be analyzed to death along with everyone's performance and reaction. And out of it I hope one of the items mentioned will be the admirable way that the locals, visitors, and governments reacted. I am really proud of how everything and everyone seemed to work. Virtually everyone (we saw a couple of oddballs out there) cooperated and followed the warnings and directions that were given.

This could have been bad; but it wasn't.

New Knee Plus 17 Days

We were alerted in advance that a TKR (total knee replacement) is no small thing. The docs warned to expect it to hurt. They did not lie. But they also said to have faith that it will get better each day. That also was the truth. Yesterday was our follow up visit with the surgeons. The staples came out. Physical therapy continues. The one thing I did not expect is the total physical exhaustion that comes along with the TKR. Taking a shower, walking a short distance, going out to dinner - almost any activity results in being totally washed out and spent. Sometimes I even find myself internally shaking with just plain exhaustion.

On the positive side - I am so glad to have received my new knee. Barely two weeks out and I am walking without a walker or cane. The leg can now bend at the knee at a 90+ degree angle. The exercises we were given have built the muscles enough that a straight leg lift is now doable. Yes, I am tired. But I am tired and pleased with the progress.



This is Dr. Lee. He, along with Dr. Gumboc, were my surgeons. Each time we have met with Dr. Lee we have had a list of questions (and not a short one). Dr. Lee sits down, makes himself comfortable, smiles (as in this photo), and invites you to ask any/all questions you may have. Each question is answered patiently, in detail, and in terms the average person can understand.


This is Dr. Gumboc, the other member of the team who performed my total knee replacement. He is a quiet, self effacing kind of guy who you cannot help but admire and respect. No question or concerns are off limits with him. Dr. Gumboc was open and patient with the many many questions thrown at them by yours truly.




This photo shows an x-ray of the new knee. I asked Dr. Lee if I could see the knee and before I knew it -- there it was! And isn't it pretty? (if you double click on the photo it will enlarge)



I think this move is called a partial squat. The lovely lady with me is Chris. She has been my physical therapist from day one. Don't get me wrong - she is tough. But she is also sweet and filled with Aloha.



This is Krist removing the staples. Krist is the surgery coordinator in the very large and busy orthopedic department. As you can tell from the photo, she does more than just coordinate. Got a question/concern? Call Krist. Worried about something? Call Krist. Can't ask for more than that.