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.

Finally Approved

Finally, I got approval to have the ACI surgery. Dan Gates, called today and he had spoken with Genzyme and the procedure has been approved. That takes my stress level down a notch or does it? The surgery date hasn't been set but I should be getting that set up this week.This comes at the perfect time since I am getting ready to move.

My knee has been hurting for the past five days, even doing my leg stretches and ice haven't helped. I am doing 4lb weights with at home pt and riding my stationary bike frequently. Unfortunately, that pizza seemed to have made the 2lbs lost reappear. I guess now its a juice diet before surgery.

Even though, my knee was hurting I managed to watch my nephew, Tanner play baseball. Last night, he made his pitching debut, well since two years ago and done great. His team won by a score of 10-6 in the district 8 Allstar Tournament.

Last night was the premiere of the Twilight Saga: Eclipse. My sister snagged us tickets to the 1am showing at the local theater. I know what you are thinking, 1am! Isn't that late? well not for me since I sleep at day and up all night. I blame it on nearly a decade of EMS or am I half vampire? Regardless, it is well worth it as 7 million people watched the opening night. It still surprises me that most people that watch the movies, have never read the books. They don't know what they are missing.

With that I will close, not much with the knee, other than the usual. Just wanted to share that the denial was overturned and soon I shall be cloned. Can't wait for that movie to come out, Loo: cloned!

Feeling Good

I have written several posts this week, that were pure genius. Unfortunately, my BlackBerry didn't post them, so I have had to track down a computer to keep you guys informed. I'm sorry you couldn't read those posts but genius can't be repeated. And I can't remember what the heck it was that I wrote, so hopefully, this will work.
This week has actually been fantastic! It has to be the summer weather but my knee has given me a couple days to get out and enjoy myself. Don't get me wrong the pain is still there but is tolerable. I caught a couple softball games and meet up with some old friends, whom I haven't seen in years. I was able to stand for about an hour before the knee said, excuse me,Loo but you have bone ends rubbing together, take it easy.
The next day I paid for all the excitement, with edema and pain that forced me to stay in the house, with my best friends, ice pack and elevation. Saturday, my niece and I went to Nashville to watch the NPF softball team the Tn Diamonds, play the USSSA Pride. We got to meet all the players, who were gracious enough to sign autographs and get their pictures taken with hundreds of young, silly band wearing, girls. Some ice and rest after I got home and I was good to go.

I reached down recently, and I think I found some muscle mass building up around my knee. Could that be? I am exercising at home and feeling really good, I had lost two pounds but that was before I cooked a pizza.
I have contacted Cigna multiple times and still they are useless to talk to, insisting that my physician needs to call them. So, still no surgery date. Come on people, pain here.

I have a new friend, who is having knee surgery in July, quite different from mine but a very interesting story. She is an EMT and so we share in the family of EMS. I'm glad someone out there understands the sarcasm, in this blog. I wish her the best of luck and look forward to hearing more about her progress.
I'm also searching for new career options, so any ideas would be appreciated.

denied again

I finally found out the source of the delay of surgery, it is Cigna. They have denied me again, this time citing insufficient evidence to demonstrate the safety and/or effectiveness of autologous chondrocyte transplantation in the treatment of lesions of the patella. Go tell that to the people walking around, pain free, after ACI. It appears, I will have to send them a not so nice letter, this comes after they flaked on a peer to peer session, with Dr Looney. If you are unaware Cigna, the longer someone waits who has no/decreased cartilage, the greater the chances are of developing osteoarthritis and further bone damage.Thus, leading to total/partial knee replacements. At 26 years old I am not a candidate for knee replacement nor do I wanna be. There I got that out of the way.Dr. Looney is still confident that the surgery will be approved and I am optimistic as well.
I must say my Physical Therapy is going great. I am still seeing improvements in muscle tone and swelling. I still have some pain from the lateral release but full flexion and extension. The pain under my kneecap has improved slighty, which is great, I'll take slight.

I'm going to use this post to congratulate my nephew, Tanner, and his team for winning the City Championship!!! He had the only homerun in the contest, hitting the scoreboard in centerfield. Congratulations!!! Orioles!!!

While watching the game, I wondered if I would be able to participate in competitive sports again.Or if it was wise to even entertain the thought? I love sports and am a big proponent of women's sports in particular, yes, i'm leaning towards another blog, so stay tuned. Anyway, I know Dara Torres, had this same surgery, so I am interested to see how she does. Yes, she is a swimmer, so the knee isn't taking a pounding like running or basketball would. I haven't come across any other athletes who have had ACI, some have had microfracture, with mixed results. Perhaps, its time to sit on the sidelines or coach. I guess I'll have 18 months to figure that one out.

I plan on putting some pictures on here soon, that is if I can figure it out. Now i'm going to write a letter to Cigna.