My Old Self

I have had two great days! Monday, I spent with family and had a little family outing. Tuesday, I woke up feeling like my "old self." Something I really haven't posted on here but I'm sure has been apparent to everyone, is that I've had a case of the "blues." Okay, maybe depression that's my own diagnosis and not that of a trained professional. I'm a paramedic, doesn't that automatically give us a minor in psychology? Maybe not, anyone crazy enough to be in EMS needs a good shrink. Wonder, if Dr Phil is available?
I came to that conclusion from one of those anti-depression medication commercials, the ones that say, have you lost interest? Oh wait, that was Cialis, Nevermind.

Now that I'm lucid, I would say I have been down in the dumps, since the first surgery nearly a year ago and it didn't help when I was "released" from work. You know, I always wondered what a Kentucky race horse feels like when its put out to pasture, when their racing days are done. Probably like this, walking with a limp and at least a 50 pound weight gain.

I mailed the Carticel package today and now let the final cell growing phase begin. I must also make an appointment to see Dr. Looney to discuss the particulars of the procedure. After reading this he may have me put into the Centennial Psych Ward. At least I won't be in there for addiction, assuming food addiction doesn't count.

The knee has been on the tender side this week, but I have been working it very hard to build up muscle tone. And like any cartilage free knee increased activity equals increased pain. That must ring true for AC joints in shoulders since I have had to critically limit overhead weight lifting. Again, my own diagnosis but should certainly be interesting on crutches.

I may only be having a "manic moment" here by sharing this but the blog is about How Knee Surgery Changed My Life and I feel emotional difficulties or triumphs should be included. I am not the only one who suffers from them and feel others may benefit from my airings. There are worst things in the world than knee surgery and financial ruin, as anybody in the business of life and death knows but while you're dealing with it you tend to lose sight of the bigger picture.

More Fancy Knee Words

It has been awhile, since I have laid out some fancy medical terms. So here goes the story of surgery number two. Picture it May 2010, persistent Left knee pain after Microfracture in September 2009. MRI showed no ligament injury but appeared the microfracture had failed.
Onwards to the Lateral Release: this procedure was done arthroscopically along with another chondroplasty of the patella. Autologous Chondrocyte implantation biopsy and Anterior interval release(infrapatellar contracture scarring release with infrapatellar plica release).
Myself and Dr Looney had already discussed ACI prior to this procedure and two tic tacs were obtained as well for Carticel. No, not breath mints but basically, healthy chondrocytes taken for growth equal to the size of a tic tac. Sounds good to me, does it work for you?
The patella defect now measured 2.5cm x 1cm and the medial femoral chondyle measured 2cm x 1cm and was a grade 4 defect.
This surgery resulted in a decrease in patella pain and was definitely the easiest of the two. A lot of people are reluctant to have a lateral release but for me it seems to have helped. I had some sharp pains near the trochlea but that was from the biopsy. The chondyle pain is still there but its on a weightbearing portion of my knee and nothing a lateral release could relieve, anyway.
After the surgery I was given 6 stitches, a ROM brace and thanks to a femoral nerve block, very little pain. Perhaps, I haven't warped your mind and sent you into a medical term coma,but rather given you some insite of the world of knee repair.

Get Well Soon

I am happy to report that Teri from Texas, had great news during her surgery. Get well Soon!

Its been a few days since my last report, no news is good news yes? I have been super busy trying to move and take care of a few financial things, so that is taking up most of my time.
I started working out again after a week break and lets just say, the workout has kicked my ass. My biceps are screaming at me just for typing and my knee says hello as well.

I have almost completed my first novel and plan to have it complete and to the editor by surgery day. That gives me 32 days, yikes! My novel is called WE Cry Too and is about EMS and details their life, as well as the lives of the patients they serve. I am very excited and hope that I can bring a greater understanding about the family of EMS providers.

On knee news I am happy to say that my knee hasn't been weak, i.e. giving away, locking up, etc. Just the "normal" pain that is constant. Last night after my workout I had some stabbing pains in both medial and lateral sides of the knee. There is still pain upon touch were the lateral release was performed. But that is normal, it's only been three months. I still have a long way to go, getting the quad muscles built back up. My balance isn't any better and I'm sure it's not going to improve, that appears to be a problem unrelated to my knee.
I'm also adding a few lunges to the workout, perhaps not true lunges due to my inability to completely bend or squat.

On a lighter note, joke here, I have lost five pounds on my way to at least twenty before surgery. So all in all its been a good week.

The Date is Set

I had an excitement filled Independence Day Holiday. I spent a few days with the family without the knee acting up too much. I viewed a holiday airshow and fireworks display, never have I heard Independence themed music, along with Johnny Cash and the Beach Boys, followed by Rocky Top.All while fireworks lit up the night sky. I caught a couple of fire truck filled parades. I thought parades consisted of floats, bands and pride of our country, not atv's and sirens. Not that I'm opposed to hearing sirens, it has been awhile since I have listened to the scream of one while driving through rush hour traffic only to get trapped by one SOB that refuses to move over.

I digress, come on people, get a little patriotic.My rant is over, I did enjoy myself just merely making a point. I fired up the grill and burned some corn, squash and various meat products. I never claimed to be a chef! When I push the plate away from me, BEWARE.

When I returned home, I had a FED EX package waiting. It was from the Carticel group confirming my surgery date for August 17th. I am ecstatic that its all come together. I was hoping for a July surgery but that gives me a month to lose the 20lbs, I've been losing for the past 4 months.
Where is Jillian Michaels, when I need her?

While on my holiday, I neglected my knee exercises, slightly. Well maybe more than that and it's mildly stiff and increased in pain. I predict with a couple days of normal routine it will be back to its, postop normal.

In closing, I want to thank Dr. Looney for his good works and listening to my bitching and getting Cigna inline. And wish good luck to Teri during her knee surgery scheduled for Monday.