An Appointment With An Orthopedic Surgeon Concerning My Knee Joints
[ Monday August 19th 2019 at 10:40 am ]
I had an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee joints. The appointment didn't go as I was expecting. Prior to this appointment someone explained to me surgery is available to repair knee cartilage tears. This surgeon was focused on "all or none". Then he proceeded to explain that with "all" being so risky he is not offering me knee surgery. He expressed concern that surgery would likely lead to a downward spiral and that I'd never be able to recover.
Instead he is asking me to restart physiotherapy. Specifically he has asked me to go to a physiotherapist to develop a home exercise program and then expects me to follow through. I've decided not to pursue this. This is exactly what I did for 3 years between 2015 and 2018. I was repeatedly hurting myself and not being able to maintain a very basic quality of life. This was causing me extensive pain, broken sleep and being exhausted because of being in pain. The "risk" verses "reward" of focusing on physiotherapy is just as concerning to me as the proposed surgery was to the surgeon.
I've got a lot to loose if my physical challenges become worse. There was a global recession starting in 2008 - 2009. This was proceeded by funding cut backs to social assistance and health care programs I relied upon. Due to these funding cut backs as of October 2017 I've not receiving enough money in my disability pension to break even each month. My dad died a month later. I've been using my inheritance money to underwrite my cost of living.
I spent the time between 2015 and 2018 figuring out a plan for self employment. I could never make progress on this because of the repeated setbacks the physiotherapy was creating. I need to get the rest of my life under control. Ultimately my quality of life is at stake. After chasing a recovery for my physical disability around starting in 2006 and being intentionally focused on my knee joints between 2015 and 2018 I'm done trying to recover. With the help of the Lord Jesus I think I can make a life for myself with the business plan I formed while attempting the recovery between 2015 and 2018. I have to live with the results of this. Pursuing quality of life is the decision I am confident in.