Wounded Knee

 On my 17th birthday, in 1972, I tore up my left knee. I was playing in a high school football game, and as I was running downfield to cover a kickoff, someone blocked me from the side and it felt like they had torn the lower part of my leg off. I was in terrible pain, couldn’t put weight on that leg, and it was swelling terribly. The next day it was worse. My father took me to the ER to have it checked, and I had torn my MCL, the medial collateral ligament.  Thus began a 53 year journey of pain. 

Now, after 2 surgeries, that did absolutely no good, and 53 years of constant pain and watching my step, I am having it replaced, or as my friend says, I’m getting a “store bought” knee! I’ve known for a long time that I needed this, and it was the only way I would ever get any relief. But the horror stories of pain and rehab made me put it off.  Now, the time has arrived.  I have no connecting tissue left in the knee.  It’s terribly unstable and I’m afraid of falling, especially when I walk on uneven ground or pavement. There is no cartilage left, so the bones are rubbing together and have actually worn away about a quarter inch of my femur.  It’s time. 

Knee surgery has come a long way since 1972.  Back then, I would have been bedridden for months with my leg elevated, followed by nearly a year of gruelling physical therapy.  Now, with modern surgical techniques, they told me I’d be up walking the next day, could resume most normal activities in about 2 weeks, and would only do about 2 months of PT. I can do that. I’ve also been told that the pain isn’t as bad as it used to be following this surgery.  I hope they’re right! 

We are tentatively planning surgery in early September.  My doctor wants to consult with my pulmonologist to see if my lungs can handle general anesthesia, or if they need to do something else.  Plus, I have a trip planned for late August. More on that in my next post! 

On top of all this, my dermatologist found another skin cancer on my face.  I’m waiting to hear from the surgical clinic to schedule that surgery. So, I’m asking you, my readers and followers, for prayers, good thoughts, vibes, juju, or mojo, whatever you’ve got!  Getting old is not for sissies!  

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