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Motivational Humorist, Professional Speaker Janie Jasin is Author of the Best-Selling Book The Littlest Christmas Tree which Has Sold A Million Copies! order book, book CD & other products read about Janie's book Heart in Hands "This little book should be on every coffee table in America." Jack Canfield & Mark Hansen

Janie Jasin's Newsletter Winter/Spring 2003 click here for Janie's Summer/Fall 2002 newsletter click here for Janie's Winter/Spring 2002 newsletter click here for Janie's Spring/Summer 2001 newsletter Knee Replacement Surgery "My Leg is a Frozen Rolled Roast" By Janie Jasin DECEMBER 17, 2002 Preparation for the surgery came in the form of a class. The class took place at the hospital a week before the actual operation. As I sauntered in I scanned another woman who was already seated. She looked fine to me. Her husband listened attentively while the Nurse Belinda ran through the details. One of the big points was a chart showing a face going from smiling to grimacing and what number accompanied the face. This chart and its numbering system would help the patient and nurses keep you ahead of the pain with your meds. "Never wait until the pain is upon you." Belinda R.N. said. This should have been a big warning to me re: PAIN I listened as the class ended and we all marched down to the Physical Therapy department where a cute and professional woman named Joan measured me. She asked, "Does this hurt, that hurt, how about this? How far can you move this? I said, "It only hurts when I bend the knee. That is why I am having the surgery! " Joan continued to measure me, waved me off and before long I was into the day of admitting. Admitting: Jane K. Jasin, single, driven here by her administrative assistant, dropped off with rolling suitcase and now admitted and in the elevator heading up to 3rd floor. Stripped, unpacked and after several more blood lettings and "Voila!" I was ready for the trip to surgery wearing a bare outfit, no undies and a shower cap on my head. I was rolled into surgery with people tending to me. I thought someone was hanging drapes with a click, click, and a click. At the end of all of this there was a man at the end of my surgical table wrapping some sort of prosthesis. "Mmmm?" I thought. "Looks like they are getting an artificial leg ready for a very tall person. The surgeon's assistant Gene was wrapping it ever so well. I smiled and acknowledged his presence never equating the fact that this was my leg he was wrapping. And the sound earlier similar to drapes being hung were staples in my leg. "So much for detachment." Later I discovered I was the headless leg. From surgery to recovery and up to the room I was wheeled and where the class motto of: "Keep ahead of your pain." theory went out the window. Keep ahead of it? There was no way to be ahead of it. I was definitely behind it and I was puffing, screeching and writhing through it. The nurses and CNAs came running with ice packs, meds for my arm, down the hatch, under your tongue and in every orifice available in order to still the fires of pain. "Wow!" They seemed to understand what all of this was about. These health professionals were not angry in the least and seemed very eager to move me this way, that way or anyway at all. It was my choice. The only problem was that there was no comfy choice way of positioning my leg, which had now become a frozen rolled roast of at least 40 pounds. This frozen rolled roast of a leg was attached to me for the duration. Whether I was tinkling, sitting up, rolling down or walking with the walker it all involved dealing with the frozen roast. The leg? It was wrapped in black foam lined Velcro strapped device. It was called "an immobiliz-er." Darth Vader used one that was similar for his trip through space. So I hobbled, dragged and dined, slept and dealt with it. "Can you lift your leg? " said a nurse. "Sure I said as I whipped the Darth Vader device high and she placed ice above and below it. "Wow! She said. "Look how she lifts her leg! She had no idea that this was my slalom leg, showing off arabesque leg, dancing leg, aerobic teacher leg. It was my best leg now turned into a frozen rolled roast. Rehab: Physical Therapists & Their Miracles I was taken down to Rehab the next day where Joan and I began our relationship. "Lift the frozen roast," said Joan, "Bend the roast, slide the roast, measure the bend, add weights, stretch like a hurdler, stretch like a ham with your hamstrings." Mmmmm! See you tomorrow. January 9, 2003 Today I graduated from rehab roast school. The leg still has a few numb or frozen parts, the scar needs massage, the joint a bit stiff, the progress slow but steady. Joan, Terry, Gigi, Margie and Mary Jo all worked at the thawing and flexibility possibilities. They made me feel like a champion and an athlete while doing simple little bendy but tough things. I look at this leg of mine that I have taken for granted for 63 yeas. I have looked at it for years scanning the cellulite and what I thought was a lack of beauty. I promise to never put my leg of wonder down again. This leg of mine is a healer, a strong pillar of power taking new steps. I look at Ridgeview Medical Center with new respect, admiration and gratitude. The 3rd floor nurses were angels and wizards. The Physical Therapists were tireless cheerleaders who calmed my soul and encouraged my most feeble attempts. The surgeon Dr. Mark Friedland made it happen. Gene, his assistant wrapped it up. Thanks so much! Janie Jasin

Janie Jasin -- Mom, grandmother, author, speaker, neighbor, friend, entrepreneur. Janie has a joyous wisdom that moves hearts and minds. If we are present to others our presence becomes a gift. It is through communicating with those who are affirming you with that gift that you will become all you were meant to be. Janie Jasin Asking for help first and then receiving it is the magic formula. Janie Jasin "Giving," taught me that what went out of the front door returned though the back door multiplied one hundred fold. Janie Jasin My grandchildren and their innocence all show me life and possibilities. Janie Jasin