Fall From Grace

For those that aren't aware, I have not been able to walk normally for nearly ten weeks now. And no, it's not because I've done prison time. Back on December 19, I was playing basketball for our incredibly successful UG basketball team, when for only the second time in 23 years I suffered an injury bad enough to keep me out of the next game. Only this time, it kept me out of the entire rest of the season. Jumping up to block a shot, I was somehow undercut while in the air (rather violently, I've been told), flipped over backwards and smashed my head into the floor. I never lost consciousness but did suffer a concussion and don't really remember any of the play. The worst of this, however, was that somehow in the fall my right knee twisted aggressively, partially tearing my MCL and significally damaging cartilage in the knee joint.

Strangely enough, I didn't realize the extent of the damage for almost a month; after a visit to an orthopaedics doctor, the diagnosis was a sprain of the MCL (which heals on its own over time). After six weeks came and went, the knee felt considerably better but I could not bend it past 80 degrees or so (normal is 140, I believe). I couldn't go down stairs or walk without a slight limp, and there was a constant aching pain inside the knee joint. So I underwent a thorough MRI--my second in three months!--and imagine my surprise when the doctors examined the results and said it didn't show anything. I can't remember ever being so frustrated. The only solution at that point was to schedule arthroscopic surgery...basically a "Let's go in there and take a look around, hoping we find something" surgery. Because there was so much doubt about the nature of the injury, there was also doubt about going the surgical route, which is always something of a last resort. All of this uncertainty was probably the worst part of it, but I decided I had to push through and have it done.

Skipping forward, this surgery was scheduled and completed yesterday, very fortunately with great success. And by success, I mean that they definitely found the two significant injuries...which according to the doctor happens in about 1% of cases (meaning injuries that don't show up on the MRI). I actually have some rather interesting photos from inside the knee that I can add to this post when I'm up and walking around again.

Currently, I am at home and finally on my way to a full recovery--for which I am beyond thrilled. Having spent two months not knowing exactly what the injury was, nor how to resolve it, I'm just elated to finally know that there is an end in sight to this thing.

So for now, Kelly is taking great care of me (she has been incredibly kind) and things have gone well over the last 24 hours. I have my first painkiller prescription, which I'm using about half the time to avoid being even goofier than I usually am. Chase is getting company during the daytime (even if it's the non-mobile kind). I'm kicked back in the recliner, knee up in the air, with a veritable stash right next to me: Blackberry (work phone), laptop, pillow, TV remote, two books, a Snickers bar, headphones, cookies, Wii remote, house phone, glass of water, and of course the drugs for when the pain spikes up. All in all, not too bad.

So I'll wrap this up by saying a heartfelt thank you to everyone that has called with well wishes, offers to help, and requests for updates. I truly appreciate having such great family and friends in times like these, when I truly need support (even though I try not to admit it!). Thanks again and I will try to keep you posted through the recovery period.