My girlfriend had a full knee replacement last Monday. It's given me new perspectives about the stressful role of a caretaker. @Sunflower123 and @Nammu have shared perspectives in the past, but until one has to care for someone 24/7 it's difficult to fully understand. GF can't get around at all right now, so I'm responsible for all the household work, making sure she's comfortable, doing her physical therapy with her (about 4 hours a day), as well as taking care of the yardwork & other duties I was accustomed to. I don't mean to whine...I just want to give credit to all the caretakers out there. GF will be up & around in a month or two, but that wasn't the case for Sunflower123's brother, or for her and Nammu's mothers. My caring for my GF is a labor of love, but it really puts the fulltime, lifelong duties of others in perspective.