Knee disaster

It was just last week that I was mobile and taking on life. Good grief, it was a few weeks ago I was on vacation. Today, I'm kicked back on the bed while I write this, left leg wrapped in a knee brace. How did I get here?

Look at the attached photo. That's my leg on the left, my laptop and the flat screen TV in our bedroom. It's been my home office this week. I was out shopping Saturday and fell down. Not that big a deal, right? I fall somewhat frequently.

I wasn't too worried really when I fell. I dusted myself off, and headed home. I did have lots of waves of nausea (hint #1) and had the ac on freezing (hint #2). So I sat down at the house when I made it home and propped up my leg. Let's see how this goes.

About an hour later, I started getting a little nervous. My knee cap was disappearing under the swelling and I couldn't fully bend my leg. So off we go to the ER. Why not? I'm kinda silly when it comes to accidents so better safe than sorry, right?

Well I guess it's a good thing I did. X-rays and MRI results later, I tore two main ligaments, outside and inside of my knee. It's called lateral and medial meniscus tears. Now I'm waiting to see an orthopedic surgeon to decide if I need surgery which my general physician feels is necessary without question, and what type of surgery, and how long I'll be in recovery. I can't stand, put my weight or bend my left knee. It won't work. Another scary thought!

So that leaves me stranded pretty much. I have my husband and a few friends helping me out but when you lose all ability to help yourself or to get around, it's rather shocking to the system.
I studied my fall again in my head. One minute I'm facing one way, carrying packages. The next minute I'm turned 180 degrees with my knee smashed into the concrete. I had twisted my ankle when I realized I had almost stepped down on a step and fell. Split second. Then I guess I ripped my knee when I was trying to get myself straightened up. I turned one way; it didn't. One of my friends phrased it as a cat trying to route herself when she falls off a building. I probably wouldn't make a very good cat in another life.

I'm having a lot of that lately, split second life-changing events. Kinda makes a person wanna change their life totally when they can get back up on their feet. Certainly gives me time to think, facing surgery and chewing on pain medication. And still I'm wondering, "How the [insert expletive] did I get here?!"