So after the Niagara Falls race, I had to see a doctor because the pain was pretty severe and my knee seemed "locked." My primary doctor brushed the pain off to "over use," but ordered x-rays just as a precaution. Before I could even drive out of the parking lot of the doctor's office, my primary called to tell me that the technician saw "loose bodies" in my knee and I would need to see an orthopedic. She referred me out.
I went to the first orthopedic doctor who was a sports medicine ortho. He immediately told me that I needed a full knee replacement. He showed me my x-rays and told me the cartilage in my right knee was completely gone and my knee was infested with arthritis. I held it together well until he left the room. Then I started crying so hard... you know the UGLY cry; the one where you can't catch your breath... yep.... that was me. The doctor came back into the room and was very nice. He told me that he would have to refer me out, as this was not his specialty.
Immediately, my gym family rallied around me and said "OH NO SISTER.... IT'S NOT GOING DOWN LIKE THIS..." Okay, maybe not those exact words, but something like that! I even had a manager at the gym contacting doctors on my behalf. If you haven't heard me say it before... I love my freakin' gym.
Fast forward to today. I went to the 2nd doctor and he confirmed what the first doctor said. However, this doctor took so much more time with me and asked about my activity level. He said my knee was absolutely bad enough to order a full knee replacement tomorrow; but because I am not currently in pain he wants to hold off as long as possible. He said he is amazed that I am not in pain 24/7 and that I am able to do the activities that I do now. He said absolutely no running, no jumping, no long distance walking, no hiking and limited steps. He said to continue the elliptical, boxing (with limits), and the strength training that I do. Basically he said to listen to my body and not do things that hurt. He said when it starts to hurt to take ibuprofen. When that no longer works he said they will try cortisone shots. When that no longer works he will inject "oil" in my knee to lubricate between the bones. When that no longer works... surgery will be the only option. He could not give me a time frame. He said it could be next week... it could be 10 years. He said that I will be the one to make that decision when I can't take the pain any longer.
All in all, he made me feel a lot better. I know the surgery is in my future, but knowing that he believes I can continue doing what I am currently doing for even a day longer makes me feel better. I am ready to prove the world wrong!
My knee SUCKS.... but I have no one to blame but myself. I think that is the hardest pill to swallow. My weight led me to this point in my life. Having nearly 400 pounds supported on these two knees for so long finally took its toll. This is all the more reason to continue to fight every day the demons that live inside me. By demons I am talking about the constant struggle to make good decisions when the bad ones seem more "fun." The constant struggle to eat chicken instead of cheeseburgers.... and my own new personal struggle.... the urge to fight off stopping at Bella Napoli's for a freakin' apple fritter.
I am not perfect. Daily I make mistakes. But I am sure as hell a lot better than I was yesterday... and tomorrow I will be better than I am today. It's a process. I am learning. I am taking it all in. Take care of yourselves my friends!
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