This morning I met with my orthopedic doctor to review the results of the MRI I got after my soccer injury. Unfortunately, the results are not good.
I’ve got a torn ACL and partial tears in both the lateral and medial meniscus.
I’m scheduled for surgery next Thursday, April 15th.
On the bright side, it will probably seem painless compared with paying taxes that day.
If you’d like to know more details about the injury, rehab, my biggest concern, and five things I’m thankful for, keep reading.
My understanding is that the big wild card is going to be the meniscuses. If a meniscus tears away from the blood supply then it’s not possible to repair it and it has to be removed. If it’s not torn away from the blood supply, then it can be repaired, but the recovery time is much longer. The doctor won’t know whether the meniscuses can be repaired until he’s doing the surgery and able to see them.
Once the surgery is over, then the real fun begins.
I was surprised by everything that’s going to be involved in the rehab.
Physical therapy starts the same day as the surgery. A physical therapist will come to my house that day and the next 2.
Monday 3/19 I go back to the doctor for the post-op appointment.
Then later that Monday I go to the physical therapy center, where I’ll have an hour of physical therapy 3 times a week for the next 4 weeks.
As if that wasn’t enough, they are also delivering one of these “cold therapy” gadgets and one of these gizmos so I can do my own rehab in between PT session.
Are you still with me?
This is obviously going to require a lot of adjustments
- There’s a lot of time involved in all this physical therapy. I am going to have to take time off of work and adjust my work schedule during the weeks after the surgery.
- I won’t be able to play soccer or run for months.
- I’ll have to find other ways to do cardio workouts and try to stay in shape as best I can.
- My knee modeling career is probably over.
The good news is that I should be able to walk fine in July when we’re planning our trip to Kenya, so I won’t have to cancel the trip.
My biggest concern in all of this…
…is for the extra burden it is going to put on Jennifer. She is already so busy doing the lion’s share of the care for our 3 kids, her diabetes research work, and her serving in the early childhood ministry at our church.
I hate the thought of having to ask her to drive me to and from physical therapy 3x a week for 4 weeks. Plus not only am I not going to going to be able to help out with kids and housework as much as I do now, but I expect I’m going to need her help to take care of me.
Jennifer will go from sharing the load to not only carrying the load but carrying me as well. I don’t like that. 🙁
But despite it all, I’m not discouraged. In fact, what comes to mind is
Five things I have to be thankful for
- Knee surgery is not that bad. There are a lot of people who have a lot bigger health challenge than this.
- I have a wonderful wife who is going to go through this with me.
- I have a great job that allows me to work from home and work flexible hours.
- I have a fantastic extended family & lots of good friends who I know will be praying for me and encouraging me.
- We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) So, I look forward to the good God is going to do through this situation.
Paul,
I really was blessed by the five things you are thankful for. Especially #5! A person told me once the most important words in Romans 8:28 are, “We know.” We know that all things work together for good if we love God.
So glad you don’t play soccer for a living! My Newcastle United Magpies have been promoted into the Premiership for next year.
We’ll be praying for successful surgery and a smooth rehab.
Blessings,
Dave
Thanks Dave. I appreciate the comment. Only had the opportunity to drive through Newcastle many years ago on a business trip. But I’ve spent more time with your beer. One of my favorites. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this news Paul.
Your attitude is great and an encouragement.
Joining you in prayer for a successful surgery, speedy rehab and extra strength for Jennifer.
Blessings friend!
Thanks Gordon! I appreciate it.
Wow. I sprained my ankle (maybe even broke my foot) two years ago and I have a small idea of what you’re going through. But as Gordon said, your attitude is a great example. And I guess you’ll have lots of time for reading!
Peace.
Thanks Chris. Actually with all the physical therapy I have to do on top of leading OurChurch.Com I’ll probably have less time to read, but I’ll make due.
God’s blessings on successful surgery and a speedy recovery. Having four children of my own, I can appreciate what Jennifer will be going through! I’ll be praying for strength and pateince for her as well! (FYI- we met briefly at the FL/GA district conference last fall. I work with your mom at Immanuel. She has been a blessing to our family for over 8 years now as 2nd grade teacher to all four of our kids!)
Thanks Amy! I appreciate you taking the time to comment and pray for us. 🙂
Just let me know what I can do to help. I am so encouraged by your post. I really appreciate your kind words about your wonderful wife. I have to admit, I am pretty fond of her too. 🙂 I am praying for you and know that the Lord has a purpose in this.
You rock, Darbi. I appreciate your offer of help. I’ll let you know. I have 3 kids that may want some more time with their aunt. 🙂
We’ll have you and the family in our prayers – God Bless! It was so good being together last month.
Uncle Leon and Aunt Joann
Good to see you too Leon. Thanks for your prayers.
Can we say ouch?
Sorry to hear the troubles Paul – I had an MRI myself just about a year ago but for my back. We’d come back as a family from a holdiay with friends in Teneriffe and the 5hr plane flight was a sit down nightmare and the pain was unlike anything I’d ever gone through (including my knee dislocation the wrong way!).
Still, geek that I am I poured over my MRI scans when I got them (I have private health plan as well so I get to keep the scans) and was fascinated by what I saw.
Anyhow – I’m back in almost fine health now and for the last six months have been doing something I never would have believed 1yr ago .. and that is Tang Soo Do.
My prayers for your recovery and the family.
Thanks, man!
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