I haven’t really been told that I have a screw loose. I’m a pretty solid person. At least I believe so.
So imagine my surprise when the surgeon told me, after my knee replacement two and a half months ago, that the screws on the femur repair were loose. And, that the femur break hadn’t healed. And, that my leg was being held together by the rod and some soft tissue. And, that he was surprised that I was on my feet at all, let alone walking 1 – 2 miles most days a week.
So that was fun information.
There I was, walking around on it like nothing was wrong.
Was I stupid or simply naive? Or determined? Or maybe I had more than the screws in my leg loose… I’ll go with determined.
“I am too positive to be doubtful, too optimistic to be fearful, and to determined to be defeated.”
Anonymous
Prior to breaking my femur, I had spoken to surgeons about knee replacement. But I had to wait.
You see, surgeons don’t like replacing parts on overweight people. They talk about your being more prone to infection or that you will not recover well or a whole host of other bad things that could happen all because you are overweight.
I was told to lose 40 pounds and then go back to see the last surgeon I spoke with.
Funny thing is, I had lost 90 pounds after gastric sleeve surgery years ago and gained some of that back already by the time I went to see this surgeon. Yippee.
Then, of course, I broke my femur. So… those extra pounds I had gained saw more friends join them since I was so sedentary and fighting to gain my mobility back. I couldn’t really walk and walking was my form of exercise.
Walking is also my zen. My time alone. Outdoors. I love walking. It was nice when I was finally able to walk more than a few feet at a time. Even if it was with a walker or a cane.
“Walking is man’s best medicine”
Hippocrates
So, it took a while to get back on my feet after the break, but, damn it felt good when I started to be able to walk again. I worked back up to being able to walk, with a cane, 1 – 2 miles most days of the week. It took two and a half years, but I got there. And the weight started to come off again.
It felt good.
But what has been the very best thing is that I was given the determination to lose the weight I needed to – to have knee replacement approved, to be able to recover, to be able to get on my feet quicker.
The replacement was major. I have the scars and the x-rays to prove it. It was a lot more than what the surgeon was really expecting.
Now, however, with physical therapy and a lot of hard work, I am on my feet walking unassisted. It’s been three years since I was able to walk unassisted. I will never take that for granted again!
And my stamina is building. I can only walk about 1.5 – 2 miles on a good day; usually split among a couple of walks so that I don’t tire my knee too much. Damn it feels good.
“Walking is magic!”
Carmen & Piglet
And since getting back on my feet I have lost another 20 pounds. That’s a total of 90 pounds altogether – in a year of ups and downs and twists and turns. And, that loose screw? Not an issue any longer.
I’m bionic baby! Want to go for a walk?
Carmen is a single mom who acts, sings, drinks way too much coffee, and writes stuff as she authentically navigates life. Sometimes it’s interesting, sometimes not so much. You can decide. But if something moves you, drop a line, share it far and wide, and let me know what you think! Be sure to check out her business website, Heart-Centered Marketing and Business Solutions.
