New Journey

I am embarking on a new journey as I round the corner to 30. This is a "if you don't do what the doctor says you might be be in real trouble" journey. As some of you may remember on May 17, 1997 I had knee surgery. At that time the doctors told me I would eventually need surgery again but at 17 I wasn't really thinking that far ahead and I didn't think it would be this soon.

After about three months of pain this winter I went to the doctor and after about ten seconds he said, it's worn out. Now, I am not paraphrasing. That is what he said. It's worn out. My knee cap that is, the knee itself is OK. So I have two options for surgery. They are both open and not arthroscopic which means a long recovery and lots of rehab.

I started physical therapy on Monday and came home looking like this (see picture above). Til this point the pain has been annoying and uncomfortable but when this tape was put on it became intolerable. It is supposed to hold the knee in the right place but so far it just hurts.

I was also told to take off the weight. I know this but it hasn't really sunk in yet. A few years ago I lost almost 50 lbs and have put most of it back on. The doctor said it would take pressure off the knee. He wants me on a treadmill or in a pool. Not an elliptical. Apparently I am too tall for it so I have to decide if I want to join a gym. This is yet another part of the journey I am not prepared for.

So begins my journey. I will find out more about the surgery in a couple weeks and decide if I will go through with it, right now it's a little scary to commit to. So I am committing to buying new tennis shoes at the request of the physical therapist and researching gyms.