The Wait is Over; I Overcame the Operation Hurdle - Time Out #501

Wow. I finally had my joint replacement surgery after a 17-month delay from the time I tore my left knee medial meniscus while officiating on a Tulsa high school football field early in the 2023 regular season. 

Would I repeat the surgery again if I were presented another problem involving my "good" (right) knee? Maybe. Just maybe, at this juncture? At this point, I can truly say the month following the procedure was an absolute blur to my mind and body. 

Realistically, I could not get my body comfortable in any position. I had such a collection of pills, our home  looked like we were operating a pharmacy. My normal sleep patterns were flipped completely upside down. My excellent home health nurse, Lady Deborah, took wonderful care of my constantly complaining self, but I am certain at times, I drove her to the edge of pushing me over the proverbial cliff without a safety parachute.

And physical therapy (PT)? Wow, that is a completely different set of obstacles. I honestly do not see how anyone is able to perform that valuable occupation? In order to get the best results for your patients, you HAVE to mentally push them to their absolute physical limits. That means, of course, create a great deal of PAIN for their patient's body. I never did scream out loud inside our local PT facility, but certainly felt like it on many occasions. Those one-hour PT sessions twice weekly seemed like I was undergoing a college credit class titled "Human Torture 101". When a physical therapist is no longer needed, because of all your physical/mental improvement, they have certainly become one of your best friends. A very sincere "Thank You, Ken Roberts"!

Fortunately, most of the healing process is now in my rearview mirror, and I am better able to walk from Point A to Point B with minimal effort and much less pain.  Of course, the alternative to no surgery would probably have been more pills, more injections, and possibly different types of more physical therapy.  

Remember that old saying "stuck between a rock and a hard place?" From my recent experience, I can honestly tell you that situation is not a fun place to be. Here's hoping you, dear readers in Our Town and far beyond, do not have to face that 'unexciting health choice" any time soon!