Throughout the month of March, I am participating in the annual Slice of Life Story Challenge, and even hosted by the team at Two Writing Teachers. Every day in March, I will share a story and comment on the stories of other participants. Please join us in writing, sharing, reading, and commenting!
If you've been reading my posts or any of my daughters' posts, you've probably figured out that I'm recovering from a knee replacement. Please celebrate this with me. As hard as the last few days have been-- the surgery was on 2/26-- I've been waiting to do this for a long time, and there are some good stories leading up to it.
I tore my ACL for the first time when I was 15. Now it seems like everyone knows someone who tears an ACL, but when I did it, there weren't too many around. In fact, it took three months to diagnose, and, once they diagnosed it, no one was willing to fix it. I'm dating myself. That was 1982. So no more soccer and a big brace for anything that involved pivots. I had some good callouses from tennis and occasional skiing days...
My dad pulled some strings when I was 20, and a New York surgeon did the repair. The surgery was different then-- I was in the hospital for several days, have two big scars, went through LOTS of PT, and tore the ligament a second time a few years later. Even if I'd wanted to have a second surgery, a blood clot from that injury sealed the not happening deal.
Fast forward 37 years.
I've known I'd need a new knee for a while, but what an inconvenient truth! That being said, I was in Michigan in July dropping off Julia at medical school. I knew her roommate's dad is an orthopedic surgeon in New York and trained at the hospital where I had my repair. It didn't take him long to ask about my scars as we all unpacked boxes and set up the apartment.
"Who did that?" he wanted to know.
I told him, knowing he'd know the name.
"When?" he asked.
I told him, not expecting the response.
"I was his resident," he said.
"You operated on my knee?" I was a doctor's daughter. I knew who did a lot of the work in operating rooms.
"Probably," he said.
We both stared at each other. What? Wait... What?!?!?
In moments, he offered me a new knee, and six months later... I have one!
Small world! And a great new friend!
WOW. That must have been one of those meetings destined by the universe for years! It is a crazy small world but I am glad you are making progress.
ReplyDeleteNow that is a small world you live in!! Crazy coincidence. Your dialogue moved this story along so well and love the line - I was a doctor's daughter. I knew who did a lot of the work.. Happy recovery!
ReplyDeleteThe 6:57 comment is from Sally!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you are on the mend. As we hit markers in life, we move into action and your slice captures it well. Can I assume that you hadn't had it replaced and this conversation was the catalyst? I had that happen recently and a meeting also moved me into action. Heal well.
ReplyDeleteMay you be blessed with swift healing -and no more tears.
ReplyDeleteSmall world indeed.
ReplyDeleteIn the right place at the right time.
Karma.
New-i did not know you were a doctor's daughter!
What a story and what a long time to have been dealing with a hurt knee! I wonder what you’ll be able to take on with this new one! ❤️Jess
ReplyDeleteGoodBYE knee! Thank you Julia and Julia's connections! You're killin the recovery, rockstar
ReplyDeleteHow wild is this?! I love small-world moments that sneak up on us. Thanks for sharing this one with us!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredibly small world! Glad you're on the post-surgery side of the story and on the path to healing. (I'm also the daughter of a doctor--so may stories to tell!)
ReplyDeleteWOW! That IS a small world. I hope you are healing quickly and that your new knee will provide you with much energy and strength for many years to come!
ReplyDeleteThat is such an amazing story. My husband has had two knee replacements in the last few years, so I know the pain and problems involved. But the tale about your doctor...wow..!
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