Thanks to everyone for all the positive input on my little writing experiment. It's really appreciated, especially after the day I've had.
Today was a day for good news and bad news.
As it happens the good and bad news are the same thing.
So, I saw my orthopedist today and he has confirmed that I will have to have surgery on both knees in the very near future.
The first surgery, on my left knee, is scheduled for the 16th of July at Stanford Medical Centre. It's something called the "Fulkerson Procedure" where they sever the tendons from my upper and lower legs, realign the kneecap, then wire and screw down transplaneted ligaments to hold the patella in place until it heals. I'm in a metal brace, immobile, for about 6-8 weeks and then I have about another 4-6 weeks of rehab, in about 6-8 months I think I get the screws out, but that all depends on how well I heal. I've elected to do this now rather than later becasue at the moment I have really good medical insurance that will cover almost 100% of the cost. If I try and do it next year, after I move, I'll no doubt be on some NHS waiting list for god knows how long and may be well into debilitating arthritis by then. Besides all that I have this horrible fear of being strapped to some table in some dank and horrible British Dungeon of a Hospital like St. Heliers or something and a hideously deformed surgeon straight out of Silent Hill cutting me open.
I realize that I've put way too much thought into that.
Anyway...
My doctor is 'pretty sure' this Fulerson Procedure fix the problem, but if it doesn't (and there is a slight chance that it won't) then I have to go back in for total knee replacement. After the left one is all healed then I get to have the right knee done.
Needless to say I'm a bit concerned about the whole thing, even though I know it has to be done.
Oh well, now it's just counting down the days...
At least I'll get some good pain killers out of the deal.
------------------------------------------------------
So, a few updates: It looks like the surgery is going to be delayed a week and I'm going in on the 23rd.
To be honest I just want to get the whole thing over with. I've tried to play the tough-guy but to be completely thruthful I'm actually very nervous about this whole thing. It's not that I'm really concerned about the actual surgery it's more that I am painfully independent and the thought of being laid up for nearly 2 months may just kill me.
Somebody make it stop!
Today was a day for good news and bad news.
As it happens the good and bad news are the same thing.
So, I saw my orthopedist today and he has confirmed that I will have to have surgery on both knees in the very near future.
The first surgery, on my left knee, is scheduled for the 16th of July at Stanford Medical Centre. It's something called the "Fulkerson Procedure" where they sever the tendons from my upper and lower legs, realign the kneecap, then wire and screw down transplaneted ligaments to hold the patella in place until it heals. I'm in a metal brace, immobile, for about 6-8 weeks and then I have about another 4-6 weeks of rehab, in about 6-8 months I think I get the screws out, but that all depends on how well I heal. I've elected to do this now rather than later becasue at the moment I have really good medical insurance that will cover almost 100% of the cost. If I try and do it next year, after I move, I'll no doubt be on some NHS waiting list for god knows how long and may be well into debilitating arthritis by then. Besides all that I have this horrible fear of being strapped to some table in some dank and horrible British Dungeon of a Hospital like St. Heliers or something and a hideously deformed surgeon straight out of Silent Hill cutting me open.
I realize that I've put way too much thought into that.
Anyway...
My doctor is 'pretty sure' this Fulerson Procedure fix the problem, but if it doesn't (and there is a slight chance that it won't) then I have to go back in for total knee replacement. After the left one is all healed then I get to have the right knee done.
Needless to say I'm a bit concerned about the whole thing, even though I know it has to be done.
Oh well, now it's just counting down the days...
At least I'll get some good pain killers out of the deal.
------------------------------------------------------
So, a few updates: It looks like the surgery is going to be delayed a week and I'm going in on the 23rd.
To be honest I just want to get the whole thing over with. I've tried to play the tough-guy but to be completely thruthful I'm actually very nervous about this whole thing. It's not that I'm really concerned about the actual surgery it's more that I am painfully independent and the thought of being laid up for nearly 2 months may just kill me.
Somebody make it stop!
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
:hel:
Thanks for the birthday wish and the request for limbo land liberation. It'll be interesting to see when it goes up, I have a feeling not for awhile...... I just hope the folks who want to see my set aren't disappointed.
xo