A Year Later: Guess What?

Hard to believe that a year ago at this moment (surgery +3 days) I was one miserable puppy. No need to go into details - you can go back and read those entries if you want. Just revisiting this page - for the first time in a few months - reminds me of two things: First, that really was a life-altering journey. And, second, what a joy that it's no longer the center of my focus. The journey from Point A (a year ago) to Point B (where the joint-replacement surgery and its aftermath are just chapters in my life, not the center of my life) took longer than I expected. But it was survivable. In the grand, grand scheme of life, it was a very manageable chapter. And worth the pain. Yep, that's the big takeaway: The net result was good. I'm still a little stiff and a little sore; my outcome wasn't quite what I read about in the happy-golfer-guy brochures or former-tennis-pro online videos. I'm not totally pain-free and I didn't leap from my hospital bed to the first tee, but I'm a whole lot better off than I was before the surgery. The bone-on-bone pain is gone, of course (because the bone-on-bone joint is gone!) - and that's the big victory. I wish I could run (not advised) and I wish I didn't limp when I get up from sitting in the same position for a few hours. But all in all, I'm a happy camper. Life went on this past year. It seemed as if everything had to be put on hold for my surgery and recovery, but that only lasts for a little while. Then life begins to creep back in. And I guess that's a good thing. A year ago, if you'd have offered me "mostly normal" and "happy camper," I'd have taken that deal.

So if you stumbled upon this blog because you're trying to decide whether or not joint-replacement surgery is worth the effort, worth the pain, worth the time, worth the anxiety... my vote is yes. At least it was for me. If fear is holding you back, that's probably the one thing I can most adamantly address: Don't let it. The fact that you're considering this surgery at all indicates you have the choice. You're fortunate. You have an opportunity to improve your life. How many people in countless circumstances - right now and throughout history - have never gotten that opportunity? Don't let fear rob it from you. Don't let me, your surgeon, or anyone talk you into this... but don't you dare let fear steal it from you.