In late July and early August, 2017, my extended family and I all gathered in Fiji for the wedding of my daughter, to a young man from New Zealand. I wrote about this in my previous post entitled The Wedding.
The Accident
Near the end of that trip, I was involved in a bit of an accident. We were on a boat parasailing, and my step-daughter and I were paired up. We were enjoying the beautiful view as we floated effortlessly behind the boat. It was such a great experience. However, as our turn was coming to an end, the operator of the winch accidentally sucked us into the back of the boat. I was sure both my legs were broken when they smashed hard! They were very sore, but not broken.
We returned home to Canada and I took it easy for some time as I healed. When it seemed like I was ok, I started to run again which led to a very sore left knee. I was already going to physio for my back so I started getting treatment for my knee as well. Eventually I saw a doctor and after a number of referrals, tests, and finally an MRI, it was determined that I had a torn meniscus.
First Surgery
After an 8 month wait to see a surgeon, I finally had surgery on June 30, 2019. Surgery was very successful and I was told recovery would take 6-8 weeks. That meant that the summer season was pretty much over for me. We live at a lake so that meant no swimming , no riding the SeaDo , as well as no motorcycle riding, etc. I resigned myself to the fact that summer was going to be spent rehabbing and started looking forward to the winter season. After all, I would be back to normal by then and pain free, for the first time in over a year and a half!
My surgeon sent me to physio and I worked pretty diligently on rehabbing my knee. I was getting excited to get back to normal. As my knee was getting stronger, I was running longer and more often, trying to get back into shape. Wouldn’t you know it, soon my right knee was really hurting. I took some time off and it didn’t get better. After a few weeks of constant pain, I got a really sick feeling in my stomach as I was certain I knew what was wrong!
Second Knee
I contacted my surgeon‘s office to discuss my knee pain. Her assistant set up a follow-up appointment for my original surgery. She also told me she would put a note in my file about the problems I was having with my right knee. She further suggested that if I had an x-ray or an MRI completed, to send them to their office for review. So I had both an x-ray and MRI done. Wait times for a new referral to see the surgeon were now up to 14 months, so I wanted to make sure she had all the information needed to schedule surgery, if required.
Diagnosis
Sure enough, torn meniscus in my right knee as well! My heart sank a little. I knew what to expect with surgery and recovery. It was pretty disappointing to realize after all this time, I was going to require more surgery. Fortunately however, my surgeon told me that they could get me in right after our trip to New Zealand. That same daughter that got married in the summer of 2017 when I had the accident, was now having a baby and we were going to meet our new grandson! Surgery was scheduled for March 30, 2020.
We travelled home from New Zealand on March 5, 2020. We arrived home just before the world was turned upside down due to COVID-19. By March 12, 2020, Canada was pretty much locked down, and my elective surgery was soon postponed.
More Surgery
After a couple of months of lockdown, our area is slowly starting to open up. I was, however, still surprised when I received a phone call early this week. They are ready to do my surgery! I really thought that there would be a large backlog of surgeries to complete. As my surgery is relatively minor, I thought it would be some time until it was done.
The rules have certainly changed though. My wife and step-daughter are not allowed to accompany me to the hospital. I will be there the better part of the day, which leaves my wife in a conundrum. We live about 90 minutes from the hospital and since everything is basically still closed, she is just going to make the trip home and then come back to get me when I get released.
So here is the good news. I now know that both of my knees will be as good as they are going to get. The surgeon tells me the meniscus in this knee is worse off than the other one. She isn’t as confident that I will be entirely pain free after recovery. Six to 8 weeks from now, however, I will be healed. I should still be able to enjoy a large part of summer!
The Gifts of Sobriety
So, what’s the point of my story? I have spent most of the last three years in pain, I have not been able to excersise consistently, and my weight has greatly fluctuated. I enjoy running, but have not been able to do so. Through it all, I have harboured no resentments.
I know that prior to sobriety, I would have been resentful towards the boat operators in Fiji, our medical system, and anybody else I thought could be at fault. I seldom even think about the accident itself. And when I do, I am thankful that my step-daughter wasn’t injured. She was only 11 at the time. Instead, I have had the opportunity to meet many great people on my journey. I have been treated by a plethora of highly trained medical people whom have all showed compassion and professionalism throughout my care.
Even though I am not looking forward to surgery and the recovery/rehab process again, I am really excited that I should be able to enjoy the last half of summer. I will also be completely recovered for the winter sports season! I also have no fear of the surgery, nor the recovery process, which is a gift of faith.
This could not have accomplished by me with any semblance of Grace whatsoever, without a Higher Power in my life. I may not understand why I have had to travel down this path. That’s ok, I don’t need to.