I cancelled my total knee replacement surgery. Why? Well it could be that I drove over an hour both ways to make my pre-op appointment and spent two hours watch the “pre-op” nurse stare at his computer screen “dotting his i’s and crossing his t’s”. And I wondered… what did they need me here for? Oh, they wanted me to do a knee-to-ankle x-ray (which I COULD HAVE done “up north”; they ARE part of the same health care system used at my local hospital/x-ray department!).
Or maybe it was that when I DID voice my concern (one of my big concerns), I was told my concern was “on me”! “On me”? I am SURE the nurse didn’t understand what I was even asking! Again, he was so intently focused on his computer screen! This is just another of a series of things that causes me concern having my knee surgery done at that hospital!
But the biggest reason I cancelled the surgery… I’m not having acute pain in my knee any longer! When I over-do my activity, any knee pain is relieved with ice and elevation. And I know I can still get a steroid injection if my knee swells; those injections still work to alleviate symptoms and pain!
Cancelling the knee replacement surgery now has opened up a world of options to me: I can do the puppy kindergarten class with my puppy now. I can continue to train my donkey to drive a cart. I can continue to work in my store without worrying about “down time”. I can “have a life”! Oh sure, my knee is bad enough to qualify to have the surgery now but I don’t absolutely NEED to have the surgery now!
Vee, my new puppy, is darling! There are so many things I need to do to “train” her. I’m excited to focus on the things I know I can do to make her a better companion; a better dog. THAT is what I want to do now!
And Jack… My farrier’s wife redid his website and offered lessons. I read that and arranged a lesson two months ago. Thinking about the knee surgery, I shouldn’t waste his time with a lesson if I won’t be able to continue working with my donkey. But getting out there and training Jack… BEST DAY EVER! So… that is what I’m going to do! I’m going to “get out there” and train Jack!
The lesson was fabulous! The things we went over cemented in what I needed to do to let Jack know what I wanted him to do. And I did it! I was able to walk behind Jack practicing the right amount of tension on the reins to let him know the direction I wanted him to go. He did so well, in fact, that with some practice on my part, we will be ready for the next step soon. Next step… training Jack to “pull weight”. All of these steps will be put together eventually in having Jack “pull” a cart with my being in that cart (OH BOY!) Where will we eventually go with this? I’m not sure but Jack LOVES having a job to do. He LOVES “thinking”. And I LOVE being the one to train Jack what he needs to do each step of the way.
Meanwhile, I’m letting my spine continue to heal from the fusion surgery. It will take a full year for the bones to fuse but my six month x-ray looks promising that is what it is finally doing; it IS healing! GOOD NEWS!
It has been so hard “stopping life” because of my spine problems related to arthritis. I know that farther up my spine… things aren’t looking so great. And I know I have severe arthritis in other joints that causes problems with daily life but I also know I’m not going to stop “living” because of this diagnosis! I can’t change my diagnosis but I can change how I live with it. And I choose to get up every day to live each day to its fullest! Because truly, what other choice do I have?
xoxo ~ Jennifer
I think you made the right decision and it’s great that you are back to enjoying life! All we can do is make the best of what we have anyway. 🙂
Nita
LikeLiked by 1 person
I so agree, Nita! I finally feel like I CAN “enjoy life” after my spine surgeries; I’m putting off any more surgeries for as long as I can! ❤
LikeLike
You are so amazing, an inspiration in everything you do – be it Vee, the donks, your store, your amazing photography, Beanie – did I mention the DOGS?!! – and that awesome outlook you choose to take on life!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww Sherrie, you are TOO KIND! I try very hard to count my blessings and… To surround myself by all that I love dearly! Things can change in an instant (it seems); there is no way to go backwards so… Focusing on the future and the cards I was dealt! Everyone is dealing with some sort of struggle…that is what I remind myself; to be kind to all! ❤
LikeLike
Oh I am so glad that God gave you His direction and wisdom concerning the knee surgery! And, yes, I think it’s so wise to concentrate on helping your spine heal, and to go forward with the things that are set before you now. And training Jack to pull a cart? Wow. One of my favorite books when I was in my early 20s was a small book called, “Travels in a Donkey Cart.” It was such an encouragement to look for beauty along the way–all of the things that I have found here, reading your posts! Blessings and Prayers for you, going forward!
LikeLiked by 1 person
THANK YOU Bettie for your support and encouragement; you’ve brightened my day more than you could know ❤ I started training Jack years ago but then couldn't walk to continue. Am thrilled I am now able to resume what I started!! Where will I go with this? Who knows? But I get to spend time with Jack (both donkeys) which is always time well-spent!! I love those two donkeys more than imaginable! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so thrilled for you also! I just looked on Amazon, and there are old copies available of that book from the 70s. It is by Daisy Baker, and titled “Travels in A Donkey Trap.” You can find reviews of the book there also. I pray that the Lord will gently increase your strength daily!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will check out that book; THANK YOU! Yes, that is what I pray for also… to increase my strength to do the things I love to do 🙂 All we can do is try our best and live each day to the fullest… I try to do this every day ❤
LikeLike
I ordered the book… Looks like a fun read!! Should get it sometime next week 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! I hope it’s as good as I remember! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person