May 16, 2009

Time's Up!


I have been going through physical pain and mental turmoil ever since I fell last September. In that fall, my bad left knee bent to a degree that it had not experienced for many decades. Inflammation has set in and the bone-on-bone joint is now unstable. This knee has been tormenting me for quite some time, beginning with an encounter with a semi-tractor trailer rig at the tender age of 28, an event which broke both of my legs. Ouch. Knee surgery followed the next year, after I healed and learned how to walk again. Fast forward to about 8 years later, and I fell on unsecured metal grating at a power plant. Ouch again. More surgery gave me relief. But I always knew that it was a temporary fix.

You see, this left knee of mine has been living on borrowed time. And the time is finally up, thanks to its rapid decline from last year’s slip. I have successfully postponed knee replacement surgery for 20 years. During the intervening years, I was able to endure a physically demanding job as an environmental auditor at power plant facilities. I traveled with my sweet husband on countless trips, including three heli-hiking trips in the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies. I got physically fit for several years and enjoyed wearing clothes in single digits. And, I have done my share of landscaping and yard work for 17 years here at our large homestead. It is a wonder that I was able to do all of that!

I was hoping that I could postpone surgery until after the homestead was sold, and we got settled into a rental home or the villa home that we plan to build. However, sale of the homestead has taken too long. The first cortisone shot worked, but the second one did not. I am at the point now that my quality of life is greatly compromised, and I run the risk of falling and injuring myself further. Time is up.

I will begin medical preparation work in a couple of weeks and have surgery in late June. There are two things that I wish at this point. My first wish is that we don’t get into complications on selling the homestead. Once I go down this path, I will not be able to endure a move for a while. Physical therapy and recuperation will take top priority. My second wish is that I don’t have any complications from the surgery. Yes, I know that this is a common procedure, and everyone tells me stories of how their 70 and 80 year-old relatives do just fine. I appreciate the reassurances, but I don’t take complete comfort from those stories. They do hysterectomies every day too, but I still managed to get permanent phrenic nerve paralysis from that procedure several years ago. Complications can happen. I am wishing for better luck this time.

So, your kind thoughts and prayers are appreciated in the days ahead. Thank you, my blogging friends!

15 comments:

  1. Donna,
    I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. No matter what the surgery, it is scary but I pray that the doctors will have wisdom and you will have peace. Sounds like that knee has enjoyed many adventure and I pray that your new one will find you enjoying many more.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  2. Any surgery is serious, but sometimes it is just time to do it. It sounds like you truly have tried everything and it is TIME. So my prayers and best wishes are sent your way. You are a survivor and a victor, so I'm confident this will go well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wishing you luck with your surgery and a great recovery that will allow you to be in less pain and enjoy life more in the future.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My thoughts and prayers are with you all through the process...before during and after. will email you some good info on pre surgery exercises to work on...( hugs ) cindy

    ReplyDelete
  5. I sure wish I lived close to you; I would wait on you tenderly with lots of love. I know hubby will take good care of you, though and you have my prayers for a successful surgery. (((((hugs)))))

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers. Any surgery is serious, and I think good wishes help.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I hope everything goes smoothly. You have been an overcomer for many years it sounds like! I'm glad that you've been able to do the things important to you, and I pray that God will bring healing through the surgery,to your knee so you'll be able to continue doing what you love.

    ReplyDelete
  8. That surgery is just hell. Be sure to get your pain meds lined up BEFORE you let the surgeon even LOOK at your knee! I'm serious! But I think the pain will not be as bad as bone-on-bone pain, honestly. That is horrifying pain.

    The upside is that when you are recuperating, you can post a LOT of your lovely pictures on your bloggie!

    ReplyDelete
  9. WithOut a doubt, you will do even Better than you expect!!! Marty is Already in training for the event and has Promised that he will call me if he needs me!!!
    Trust and just...know!! I Know!!!(((((((HUGS)))))))

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am glad that you are preparing for it. Keep positive, attitude is very important in any surgery recovery process. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. (I'm going to have to start a list, every time I sit down to pray I can't remember anyone on my list! I just have to tell Him, you know who I mean... and he does!)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Donna ~ you will certainly be in my prayers. I will be seeing you on the 20th at the Lavender Festival, won't I?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh, Donna! You will be in my prayers and thoughts! Surgery is never a "sure thing", but I am praying that you come out with flying colors.....then you and that sweet hubby of yours can take another trip! How about one to the Oregon Coast? I'll feed you well, and we can shop! Jan

    ReplyDelete
  13. Donna, I haven't been able to check blogs lately, so I'm just now seeing your news. Good luck on the upcoming surgery, I'm sure you'll come through with flying colors! My dad had double knee replacement and is very happy.
    I hope all will go well for you, too.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Donna,

    You will be in my prayers. I know you will do just fine. When I had my gallbladder surgery I was nervous also and everyone kept telling me that it was common surgery and lots of people had it so I thought I shouldn't be nervous but on the day of surgery one of the pastoral care people came in and I told her I was nervous and that I shouldn't be and she said it was okay to be nervous because this was happening to me and not anyone else and then she prayed with me. Her few words made me feel a whole lot better. Anyway not sure of that made the sense I intended it to. LOL Care about you lots my friend and will be praying for peace of mind and a quick recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thoughts and prayers with you in the next month Donna as you face the op...I can understand your fear...I am sure I would be the same, and have a friend in Australia who is postponing her op for as long as she can too!

    Annie

    ReplyDelete

Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!