What Surgery Number Is This Again?

It’s hard to believe that in less than 2 weeks, 3 major events will be happening in my life.  I will be sending my husband away, undergo knee surgery that includes both of my legs, and ship my husband to the desert for a yearlong deployment.  Doesn’t seem fair.  And to be honest, I’m a little terrified.

I had my pre-op appointment yesterday.  This would be pre-op and surgery #3 for this knee.  I am hoping that this will be my last.  I am looking forward to not being broken any more, looking forward to working out, dancing, and really just plain walking without my knee going out.

         I remember how bad my first ACL reconstruction felt.  It was terrible.  I would never wish that pain on my worst enemy.  All of this crap with my knee started 8 years ago.  That seems like such a long time to be dealing with this in my short little life.  For this surgery, they will be harvesting my hamstring from my left leg to make a new ligament (ACL) for my right knee.  There will be cutting, drilling, screws, buttons … oy vey … I have a clue of how this will feel, but at the same time I really have no idea.  I hate not knowing what exactly to expect.  In February (if you remember) I had bone grafts and a meniscus repair.  I am hoping that the meniscus repair stayed in place and will be ready to be tacked down permanently.  If my meniscus looks great, then I can start walking as soon as I feel ready.  If the meniscus did not hold, I will be on crutches for a minimum of 6 weeks again.  They said the hamstring harvest will be sore, but who really knows how sore.  And this time I will have scars on both legs now, yay for symmetry!  (haha)  And you can bet that there will be pictures! (As soon as I am lucid enough, of course.)

         I wish Joey was going to be here for the surgery, so I could see him before and after.  By the time I am in surgery, Joey will be back in Germany and getting his room packed and ready for the movers.  Hopefully they will let me keep my cell phone so we can text until I go in for surgery. 

Shortly after, he will be heading out for his deployment.  This week we have been taking care of all of his business, making sure everyone knows I am his POA and that I will be able to take care of anything he needs while away.  We got questions answered, and plans made.  Gross. 

Time is just going by too fast.  It doesn’t seem right that my time with Joey is almost over for now.  We went on another movie date, and as we were sitting there waiting to go in to see Transformers, we looked up for where we were sitting and realized that we met in that exact same place where we were sitting.  It was a nice moment for the two of us.  Tomorrow we are thinking about a sushi and mini-golf date!!  I hope it doesn’t rain!

As for the job search, so far there is nothing.  I was originally hoping to find something before my surgery; the idea of interviewing in sweatpants and crutches makes me want to cry.  But alas, I shall just have to keep looking.  I am not giving up hope on finding another set of kids that need me, or more like another set of kids that I need.  I love what I do, and I am determined to do it.  I mean, crutching (hobbling) to an interview after surgery must be impressive, right?  Here’s to hoping!!

And finally, I will leave you with this thought – if you love someone, cherish the time you have with them.  No matter how much time or how little time you get to have together, just cherish it.  No matter what.