Yesterday I woke up on the couch. No, this
isn't a story about marital trouble and it is not a commercial about the
world's most comfortable couch (although mine is pretty comfortable). This is a
story about decisions.
Yesterday, I was supposed to awaken in a bed at Rose Medical Center. I would
awaken there because two days ago I was scheduled for my knee
replacement. While my Doctor said he'd throw me out of the surgery center in 4
hours, Medicare says old folk like me have to spend the night. Anyway, it
didn't happen. I moved it; postponed it, you might say. Here's why:
After spending most of a Monday about four weeks ago re-reading my “Guide to
Knee Replacement” I am convinced that this was not the time for this and is my
best plan.
My reasons for postponing are:
1. 1) In
order to have the best replacement surgery and recovery, it is advisable to not
be overweight. Presently, I am considerably overweight. My history says
that I am literally no good at dropping weight in the winter (like many). I do
much better in the spring and early summer and in the past have been able to
drop up to 12 pounds a month very naturally. That, frankly, would be
ideal. In 2001 at the ripe age of 50, I weighed about 175, which I consider my
“ideal” weight. With only four weeks until the December scheduled date,
there was no way to make any significant progress to anywhere near
that. I know what I have to do to get to 175 and have already made some
significant changes in my overall dietary regime.
2. 2) I
also read more about recovery and the difficulty of the first month and believe
that Christmas is not the time to go through that. Not fun for me, not fun
for anyone else. And no fun experiencing this already weird Colorado “winter”
with crutches or a walker.
3. 3) Recovery
is easier and quicker when the patient is able to be active and summer is the
best time for that.
4. 4) Neither
Dr Larkin (The Replacer) or Dr Andy (my Ortho guy) are relating any sense of
urgency with this surgery. They both say that at some point, I’ll need it, but
neither of you say I have to have it, like NOW..
If I were not me, I wouldn’t care about any
of this at all. If I didn’t feel that the last 53+ years of running were worth
adding to, I wouldn’t care about this. I am the guy who hasn’t been on any
major medication for like…. Ever. I don’t even like Advil. To have a
foreign object stuck in the middle of my leg seems kind of repulsive and
everyone who has had it says it takes some serious getting used to. I
really don’t want a knee replacement, but if I want to live the life I want to
live for the next 20-30 years, I need to have it done. I just don’t think
I am physically (or mentally) ready right now. My wife, Linda, says I'm just
chicken. Well, that too.
SO, I postpone. In the meantime, a cortisone
shot to help reduce inflammation and pain (although there isn't much
pain). Jogging about 15-20 miles a week for sanity, and getting ready to begin
the assault of my bike, the elliptical and anything else I can add to the
mix.
Why the couch? Well, I've been sick as a dog
(whatever that means) the last five days and trying to avoid keeping my
wonderful wife awake while I hack through the night.
Run on. Merry Christmas, Happy Whatever else
you like.
