What happened?

So, as you knowI had knee surgery on Friday. I am on pain killers, which according to my Google research are a form of opiates. I was initially on Percocet, however I am apparently allergic to that business. Always a plus when you're allergic to thegood stuff.

Sleeping has become rather interesting and the dreams are very vivid. I wake up every few hours and the worst part is when the pain killer has worn off and I have moved onto my knee. I swear a few times in the night. Now, one would think that vivid dreams are awesome, and they are if you're not dreaming about work and car accidents. Funny thing is that over the years some of my dreams have been kind of premonitions- you can roll your eyes now. In all honesty though, if you're going to have crazy dreams, I think we can all agree that you might as well have trippy dreams and not boring and depressing dreams.

Either way, I was going to tell you about the surgery. I found out last month that I was going to have to have a pretty intense surgery. Initially the specialist and my physio and I assumed that myknee issue was just meniscus. The MRI proved otherwise. I had blown my previousACL construction from 13 years ago, along with damage to the medial meniscus. This was going to be a surgery that meant 6 weeks on crutches and my main concern other than work was the fear of another blood clot. I experienced a substantial amount of anxiety and after discussing things with the specialist, I had a good cry in my car. Now for those of you who know me well, I do not cry often. Sure,I might have a tear in a touching movie or a book, and I do cry at funerals,weddings and at the loss of a relationship.  Typical girl stuff.  But something about the realization of another blood clot and the information that I would have to have a donor tendon this time around got to me. As I had already used my hamstring tendon in the first ACL reconstruction, I would now have to have a donor tendon. This donor tendon meant that I would have to be prepared for the possibility of contracting hepatitis or HIV. The odds are 1 in 200,000 or something ludicrous like that. Regardless of the odds and my previous background in statistics, it wasn't something that I wanted to hear. I became relentless in my want to lose weight, it has been something that I have been working on for a while already and so far am down 35 lbs, but I figured if I didn't have to have surgery for a year,I might as well be down the full 100. I was prepared to make this full change.

On Wednesday of last week I received powercalls from my specialist, when I called back, I found out that surgery was Friday.  Two days prior to that she had told me that it was going to be May 24. Clearly I was not going to be down 100lbs for surgery, but I could try for 20. Now with two days notice, I had to figure out work and also the aftermath.

The surgery went well. I had an option of an epidural or being put to sleep. I chose sleep. Now don't get me wrong, I find the entire process fascinating and I am one of those people who love the body exhibit, but something about being present for your own surgery and knowing if there are complications is concerning. Post-surgery, I received a neat file showing what had been done. My ACL was reconstructed with a anterior tibialis tendon, the lateral and medial meniscus was shaved down and there was no degeneration of my other cartilage. There was also a donor card. Basically,when you have surgery now and a donor organ/tissue is used, you have the ability to write a letter to the family of the donor expressing your gratitude and what this means to you. It is a pretty awesome idea. I will definitely be writing to the family. I was a little out of it with the percs and the anaesthesia, and said to my Mom that she has that to look forward to when I die (I am anorgan donor). Both Mom and the nurse gave me a weird look. I will let you figure that one out. And no, I am not suicidal.

So, I am now not only bionic (metal in the ankle), but also have another person in me... It's weird knowing that. I am thankful. I am hoping that rehab is perfect and that the surgery was successful. I want to accomplish something in fitness. My brother told me maybe I should forgo anything with impact. But I really have this desire to train for a triathlon. He will probably laugh at this. But honestly, down the weight, and a brand new tendon.... I should be able to do one.