There **IS** a G*D!!!!

[Dedicated_Dad]

If you've been reading my novels at https://bonesmart.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1546 then you'll appreciate this.

Miracles still happen, people. I'm proof that your prayers work.

I managed to get through to this "big dog" Doc's secretary today at ~1 PM. She said he'd be away for the next 6 weeks, after today...

Could I be there by 3:30?

I'm 2.5 hours away.

Read all that again, please -- I want you to see the miracle.

I was getting dressed while she took my info on speaker phone. I hung up and ran out the door.

I hit ZERO traffic, and actually got there ~1/2 hour early.

It gets better!!

After examining me and talking a bit, he told me what's wrong. After some Q&A I am 100% sure he's right. Not only do I have an answer, I have a plan to fix it!!

Important facts: My joint (MCL/LCL) is loose. Further, my quads are also loose due to lack of full extension for years. I still have some extension lag. Further, when he asked me to "snap flex" my quads, I can't. They still jiggle a little before locking in.

Here's what's happening: When I lift my leg to walk, gravity pulls the joint apart before the quads tighten. The fat pad behind my patella, which we all have, gets caught between my patella and the metal on the femoral component. As the quads tighten, it's pulled out, making the "snap" I hear and feel. The same thing happens when I straighten it, thus my double-pop. The straighten-pop is more painful, as it would be expected to be.

It's getting worse because the more it gets pinched, the worse it swells, and the more inflamed it becomes, the more it gets pinched. He explained using the tongue as an example. It's always between our teeth, but we usually don't bite it. If we DO bite it, it gets swollen/inflamed and we end up biting it again, which makes it more swollen.... Only when we stop biting it does it get better.

This is why it never popped on close-chain exercises: only when gravity can separate the joint, and my quads are slack, is the fat pad able to get caught. If I am horizontal, the joint doesn't separate even if my quads are slack. If my quads are tight -- as when I'm squatting -- it doesn't get stuck, thus no pop!!

Here's the solution: He gave me a big honking cortisone/lidocaine shot. This settled down the pain (I LOVE lidocaine!!) so I can walk, except he doesn't want me to walk if I can avoid it. I am to walk with my knee bent if I must walk, to avoid the pinching and popping.

Further, I am to take a huge dose of Celebrex every day for a month, to see if the anti-inflammatory and not walking can solve the problem, let the fat-pad shrink enough to get out of the way.

If not, I am to call in a month and they'll do an arthroscopy to remove ("excise") the fat pad.

IF this doesn't give me a 100% cure, I may need a thicker spacer, but that's a last resort.

He said in no uncertain terms that he thought my surgeon did a great job given all the challenges with this leg. He too said the knee was loose, but given all the problems I had, if he'd made it tighter and I couldn't straighten it, or couldn't bend it, I'd be complaining it was too tight. With my quads in the horrible shape they were in -- my wife used to call it my "concentration-camp leg" -- it was impossible to judge and set all soft-tissue balance perfectly. Now that I am stronger, we can see where it will end up and thus **IF** they need to change the spacer it will be a quick and relatively minor fix.

He told me he'd advised other people to sue their surgeon, wouldn't hesitate to tell me if he thought mine had messed up, but he believed my loyalty to the man was well-placed. He did a good job, given all my problems it's a GREAT job. Add in the way he was there for me, and I am right to have nothing but gratitude!

The fat-pad thing doesn't usually happen to little old ladies with arthritis, it's only likely to happen in cases like mine with a history of trauma and etc... My OS is a relatively small-town guy -- trauma cases go to the big city 2.5 hours away via helicopter, as I did. He's probably never seen a mess like mine before, thus didn't know about the fat-pad thing.

So, I am about the happiest man on the planet right now.

A top-tier Doc has told me what's wrong, and how we're going to go about fixing it. I am 100% sure he's right.

Like I said, there's a G*d and he takes care of me!!

Thanks again, guys. I can't believe this has happened, but I am so grateful to all of you for being there. I was not in a good place yesterday...

Thanks again!!

DD

 

[JudyS]

Wow DD,
I have always been skeptical about the power of prayer, but I get more and more situations where I believe .
I am so happy for you.
Judy

 

[AnetMarise]

I totally believe in prayer and in miracles. God really is good! Congratulations.

 

[Doug]

After I became a parent for the first time at 41, I finally understood prayer a little better.
We are told to pray. We have to leave it to our Father to answer it. We can't tell Him how to answer it.
My son asks me for something. I don't always give it to him. I might make him wait. I might not give it to him at all.
BUT, when he is hurting, physically or emotionally, I'm always there. So is our Lord !!

 

[Dedicated_Dad]

I have my own religious and spiritual beliefs. I'm also a Mason. In Masonry, to be a member, you must believe in a supreme being. What name you call Him, how you go about worshipping Him, that's your business and rightly between you and him. Further, it's not to be talked about in any gathering. This is where some churches have a problem with it. Still, sectarian religion is basically verboten in a LOT of places. The object of this Fraternity is "to conciliate true friendship among men who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance." I've sat in a meeting with christians, hindus, jews and muslims, all calling each other "brother." I think it works. Have never seen such a gathering anywhere else, and it would never happen with religion separating us...

We Masons -- when meeting together -- refer to G*d as "the Supreme Architect of the Universe" -- in keeping with the "builder" theme the Fraternity's based on. At home or in my head, I call Him by the name I was taught, but when together I respect my Brothers and use a name we can all agree upon. This allows us all to be true to our beliefs without offending someone else's.

I told you all that so I could tell you this: Whatever G*d is, must be so awesome and powerful that there's no way my pathetic little mind can grasp even a fraction of omnipotence. I was raised in a certain faith. I grew to my own path, and follow a slightly different one. Others have different names, but all agree on the basics.

This does not mean that all religions are equal, every one of them has some version of "if you know this is true, you'd better follow it." I think my way is "right" -- at least for me. What it means to me is that I'd have to be really arrogant to think my wimpy, pathetic attempt to grasp the unknowable is any better than anyone else's. So I call him by the name I was taught as a child. I follow the sacred law as presented to me throughout my life. While I may disagree with others, I'll never ARGUE with them, but rather welcome their ability to acknowledge truth in its purest form.

We can all agree -- most of us anyway -- that this is all a bit too orderly to be a huge accident. I've had too many experiences like today to believe He's not paying attention, and helping me out in minor ways when I really need it. Really -- what are the odds that I'd hurt myself Wednesday, call my friend last night (who I haven't spoken to in months), get a name and finally reach that Doc today, just in time to get there in time for the only available Appt in at least 6 weeks? And he'd know almost instantly what's wrong though (2) other docs missed it?

I have the solution to my knee, the disability-insurance folks are going to have to keep covering me, which will give me time to get my finances right as well as finish recovering physically and mentally from the hole I was in before my surgery.

Maybe you think I'm lucky, I know what I believe...

DD

 

[lgobrien]

DD -

We know what you believe too... and you are very safe here to use the word GOD instead of G*d. Even though it is not touted as such, this is a very faith filled group. Most of us have gotten thru this with God's help and each other.

I'm so happy you are heading in a new direction instead of nowhere!

I talked to a woman tonight at dinner that is having knee replacement surgery in a few weeks. She is in her mid 70s. I sure wish she was computer literate, because I don't know how I would have gotten thru these last weeks with out all these people here. She DOES have her faith (but FAITH and a computer are the best case scenario).

Good luck with your next stage of your journey! How exciting for you!

Laurie

 

[JenniferG]

DD, Glad you have found relief and a plan. You think doc 1 & 2 would have atleast given you a shot of cortisone (the antibiotic of OS). But then, if they had you would have felt better and stopped searching for your true remedy.
Laurie et al, a few months ago we were much more vocal about our faith in God. When you've been here for a few months you forget that anyone new doesn't have the same frame of reference about us all. With that said, Jesus is Lord and God is good.

 

[Gretchendz]

Congrats Dad...so glad you found an answer

 

[Dedicated_Dad]

Glad to know that I have kindred spirits here in more ways than one!

I'm not shy about my Faith, for me PERSONALLY I've found others far more receptive when I am not as direct... Many I've met have been "turned off" by some excessively pushy types and, well... You know. It's become habit for me to mention Him in passing and not "beat a dead horse" so to speak. Almost inevitably as folks get to know me, either they'll let me know (like you guys did) that they agree or -- better yet -- get curious and ask more direct questions. I'm pretty rigid about the Golden Rule and my "integrity" or "ethics" -- to the point that I tend to do things others think are "stupid" sometimes -- but inevitably it comes out for the best even though it may look horrible at the time.

Folks notice this sort of behavior, and when they see it accompanied by a sense of peace that they don't have they get... curious? I'm not sure that's the right word, but I think you'll know what they mean. When they ask (rather than me try to tell) this opens the door, and I've been blessed to lead a few to a closer walk they may not otherwise have found... As always, YMMV, and that's cool!!

As to the "G*d" thing, I once noticed a couple of people who I admire had a similar habit. I asked about it and after giving it a lot of thought decided that it made sense -- again, FOR ME, to do likewise. Basically he said "I was raised to speak to my elders with an honorific -- 'MR. Jones, Miss Sally' etc. Somehow, when I can't make myself refer to someone otherwise my equal in all but years without an honorific, it just doesn't seem right for me to 'first-name' my creator."

I know "God" is not his "real name" and all, but... FOR ME it just feels a bit more respectful. Further, having raised a few kids and experienced the "DaddyDaddyDaddyDaddyDaddyDaddy...Daddy" thing a few times... It made me wonder one day what it must be like to have ~4.5 billion people popping out your "name" a few times a day and trying to figure out who was really calling you and who was blowing off steam or whatever. I know the "thall shalt not take the name of the Lord thy G*D in vain" wasn't meant to tell us not to use the word as a noun but... Thinking on it made me feel like my kids must have felt when they were little and I finally said "I love you, but when you call my name over and over, but don't really need me, it makes it impossible for me to concentrate on other stuff. I'll come running if you call me, but please don't make me think you're calling me when you don't need me."

I figure when I NEED him, I want him to hear me calling so I try to avoid the distraction... Wouldn't want him to "tune me out..."

=o )

It's probably silly, but it's part of who I am. Just feels right.

I was calling him in the middle of the night... My wife says it happens every time I get a cortisone shot, and I always forget when it happens that it happened before, but... Well... MAJOR "tummy troubles" kept me up all night running back and forth to the little room down the hall. Apparently (according to my Google-fu) this isn't unusual...

The knee, though, is a bit better already. The big "POP" has settled to a much less bothersome "click" to the point that I'm now noticing the plastic/metal noises and sensations again. Since he explained this to me I have done everything possible to avoid walking and when I had to I have either bent or locked my leg to avoid pinching the fat pad. This morning I forgot when I stumbled out of bed for another "run" and afterward took a few steps normally just to "test it out..." Probably a bad idea, I won't do it much or often, just couldn't resist...

Today's not going to be good for me... My Boy is home from the Navy, on leave (he's a LT, got home late last night on an earlier flight), and Wifey has all sorts of plans. Family pictures, movie, the beach, dinner out... A full day. I've already told them I may just have to bow-out and sleep in the van in the shade while they do their thing...

Anyway, thanks SOOO much, again, for all your help.

DD

 

[Dedicated_Dad]

Oh, forgot to mention...

Thinking on this a lot, since I was up all night, I am pretty much positive he's right. All of my pain is basically under my patella, more on the top edge than the bottom, but poking at it doesn't make it worse. That's been frustrating, since it's hard to define where it hurts even though it's definitely localized. With the image, now, I can tell exactly where it is.

Deep Fat pad, femoral component. Yup!

Further, my only real swelling is a "pouch" of squishy **** above and on the front side of my knee. Right where he says it's getting pinched.

Deep Fat pad, femoral component. Yup!

I just can't express how much better I feel, simply knowing that we know a root-cause and have a plan to make it better. My knee is SOOOO perfect in all other ways, when this is solved I will be 10000000% satisfied!!

DD

 

[Dedicated_Dad]

Darn it! Sorry for gushing, but...

I'm also SOOOOOO relieved about the financial end as well. The disability-insurance folks are going to have to keep paying me, I get a bit more time to finish getting better and stronger.

I had REALLY run myself into the ground with the job and this leg... I was about to collapse... In some ways it was best for me they did what they did -- I'd have been working from my hospital bed if still employed, and would never have taken the time to get better.

In 2002, after my accident, Doc said no work for 6-12 months. I went back in 5 WEEKS, left rehab on Friday and went to work on Monday in a wheelchair with a 2.5 hour one-way commute. I never took the time to get better... I did PT for a while, after work, but didn't have the energy for it and work too so... This is why I was so weak, why my leg wouldn't straighten, why my muscles atrophied so bad...

I'd have done it again -- I KNOW it. They'd call, clients would need me, and I'd have gone. Stupid, but I would have done it.

This is another reason I just don't want to sue them - though what they did was dirty, it was really best for me in the long run.

Best of all, I have a line on a job at a prestigious private college ~12 miles from home. I've commuted ~2-3 hours one-way for a dozen years now... Further, my oldest daughter will be starting college in a year, and one of the benefits of this job is full tuition for the kids at any one of ~150 schools. Her sister is 3 years behind... Needless to say, this is HUGE for me!!

I missed out on a previous opportunity there a couple of years ago, because I wouldn't leave my former employer (yes, the one who screwed me in Feb) with less than 6 weeks' notice. I was in the middle of a big project and knew it would take 2-3 weeks to find a replacement and 3-4 to properly hand off my duties to the new guy. She couldn't wait, I wouldn't break my "golden rule" stance, so we regretfully parted ways. Funny how it shows up again now, huh?

ESPECIALLY since they don't -- for budget reasons -- want to START working until late August. Hmmm... Right about the time I should be getting over my arthroscopy if it's necessary. Imagine that...

BEst of all, it's a higher-level opening, with a salary closer to what I'm used to.

See, the disability payments -- ~>1/2 my usual take-home -- have shown me we can live on less money if necessary. After this "tight" period, even if I have to take a pay-cut to work so close to home it will be more $$ than what we've become used to since March... Add in $160k worth of tuition in the next 7 years and....

See??!!

The hits, they just keep coming and coming...

=o )

DD

 

[lgobrien]

WOW!! How wonderful for you! Like posted before, good things come to those who wait!

All the way around, this job sounds like a win-win situation! With the price of gas, tuition, time away from home on the road... You will certainly have a new lease on life as your knee gets back to normal.

God is truly smiling on you!

Laurie

 

[Josephine]

Did you ever doubt it?

I am so pleased, delighted, that everything is working out for you. Sometimes you feel like you are banging you head on a brick wall and then one day - suddenly - the wall comes down - as they discovered in Berlin that time! Worth the wait though. All good things come to he who waits
















long enough!

 

[Skeet]

I'm so pleased for you DD. What a huge relief it is to know what is wrong and to have a path to normalcy is even better. PTL! May God continue to bless you throughout this journey!

Blessings,
Skeet

 

[Linda2]

It certainly would seem that your prayers, and ours for you, were not only received but made it through the express lane! My father was a Mason and a Shriner, my oldest son has also become a Mason. When my father died, the most moving service was the one performed by his brothers. The respect and love they had for him was so apparent. In tough times, ritual works.

I am glad you have found answers.

 

[mms]

God is Good all the time!