08/02/2024
An update to our clinic community from Larry:
Hey folks. As many of you know I’ll be out of action until the end of the month to recover from a planned surgery. I had a revision of a previous reconstructive surgery on my right knee, specifically the anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) with additional repair of my medial meniscus.
I had initially tore the ACL playing college football back in 1996 on the turf at Southern Connecticut State University, 6 days after my 21st birthday. 🎉
The surgery that followed was not effective and I’ve lived with the limitations in activities since. Mind you, I’ve managed to keep quite active, loving to run, dance, yoga asana practice, hike, bike and all that. It’s just that certain sports and the required movements are totally off the table due to the instability of that torn ligament. Pickup basketball, soccer, regular old horsing around- all had to go lest I risk a major knee blowout. And after a few of those over the years I just settled into not doing those things any longer, which was fine. 10 mile courses through the morning desert, all night ecstatic dances and walking mindfully through the woods were, for me, not a sacrifice, but a soul expression and deeply nourishing.
And yet more recently I stepped awkwardly at clinic a couple times and almost fell. It gave out and I went sprawling into a wall. Stability has always been the issue, not pain. Well, pain happens a bit after a little blow out like those. And then the pain of sadness that can accompany a physical limitation.
But after this past occurrence it occurred to me that maybe I want to see if it could be revised and repaired. A crazy thought, yes, because after the first experience and how painful and disappointing it was in all ways, I was 💯 never going to do it again. Like, NEVER.
But something got into me. I felt an inspiration of sorts, to challenge this ‘truth’ and be curious about some new possibilities.
Joining a martial arts studio(Rising Phoenix) was a step in that direction. That is also something I would never do….because of my knee. But I decided to just speak with the instructor and get his sense of it. He encouraged me to do what I could and that no one would pressure me to do otherwise. I’d just have to protect myself from myself, it seemed! Not do what is dangerous to me, and I full well know what those things are.
And I loved it! To be in a supportive, engaging learning environment is about my favorite thing ever - and this was that, with punching and kicking and friendly faces. I kept my knee as safe as I could , communicated with my practice partners what my needs were, and was met with encouragement and respect. I felt home!
And this only further fueled my desire to see about my knee. I went and made an appointment with Dr Todd Tucker at the Tucson Orthopedic Institute, a facility we’ve see many folks through, both patients and staff (especially you nurses, much love! I even saw one of you yesterday pre-op).
Dr Tucker helped me understand the risks and benefits. A funny guy whose humor is on the wet side of dry, he was pleased to discover via X-rays that my knees have no arthritis, a necessary precondition of ACL revision reconstruction.
And we booked the surgery.
And that was yesterday.
And it went fantastic.
He thought maybe 2 hours, maybe have to remove old hardware. Lots of “McGyver’ing” according to him.
And while he did use a pack of chewing gum, dental floss and an old bottle cap, it was less eventful that he was preparred for.
The surgery was just over an hour.
And so here I am, lying on my sofa, cat in my lap, dog at my feet, 5 # bag tater tots on my knee for swelling reduction, and a heart filled with gratitude, contentment and love.
I’m so grateful for all the support I have this time around, support that wasn’t there so much as a scared, mostly alone, 21 year old kid- family; a loving partner and children that want to help and support me; friends to drop in and say hi and bring some munch; a quiet home; a supportive work place; amazing colleagues, coworkers and staff and a killer business partner; specific remedies and approaches from those aforementioned healing professionals and colleagues; a best friend thats been there for me always; wonderful clients and patients that inspire me directly through their hearts and encouraging words(and occasional nourishing meals!); my knowledge of the science around the function of pain and inflammation through the acute phases of healing; unlimited acupuncture; an incredible surgeon and support team at TOI; my furry babies; my sense of connection with my ancestors and those in spirit; a wonderful adopted Granny, and a deep desire to heal.
So here it is: I love you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I look forward to coming back to hugs and laughter, to joys and tears.
I start physical therapy with a guy I felt a resonate connection with over at Contact Physical Therapy next Friday, about an hour after my first surgical post-op appointment with Dr Tucker. I know he’ll be excited when we meet, because in talking with PT gentleman (whose name is Keith, which also makes me feel aglow) it seems Tucker and him used to work hand in hand clinically for many years and still play some racquetball together. That felt reassuring to discover 18 hours before the surgery.
And that’s that! Here are some pics of our sweet kitty Bashi, who has sat here patiently waiting for me to finish this post, his chin resting on my wrists. He’s a good grandson. 🐱
Then there’s old Cheenie girl at my feet. When I called her to turn her head for a photo she rushed me and gave me big kissies, so sweet!
Thanks for reading all this and we’ll keep you posted. I’m tired and gonna close my eyes.
Oh yeah- green light is especially helpful for headache. I don’t have a headache, though in aligning with the emerging energy of the Wood Elemental Phase which is associated with vision as well as the season Spring, the eyes, the color green, the health of ligaments and tendons, movement of qi and blood during trauma/surgery- I scored some
Green glasses from Aqua Vitae. I like em!
Thanks, gang . Much love, get your acupuncture and say hi to the smiles and tiles there for me. 🙂🙏
