Crap...my surgery is almost here

Hello to anyone who may be reading this! I created this blog to help keep track of my recovery in case someone else goes through this and are in search of some answers. I guess I could have written a journal on the computer, but maybe something I write here will be interesting to someone.

So, how did I get here? That is a damn good question, and one that I really cannot answer. I fancy myself a weekend warrior, and for the past 3 years or so I have been involved in flag football leagues in the San Diego area. I also did some running, to include two half-marathons, two Camp Pendleton Mud Runs, and some 5K races. My first sport love, basketball, had been put on the back burner and I have played maybe 3 times in the past 5 years. Add in lifting weights about 3 times a week, and I guess there was a good chance something was going to break down.

I first noticed something wrong around Thanksgiving of 2009, after our football season had concluded. My right knee swelled up significantly and I had limited range of motion for about 2 months. The outside portion of my knee seemed to be the problem, but I thought it would gradually go away with some RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. When that didn't happen, I then realized my right knee had become very weak in those 2 months of inactivity. I began to strengthen the muscles around the knee, specifically the quadriceps. That made a huge difference and I was ready to play in the winter season that began in February of 2010. We had a team that I thought could compete for the championship, and with the pending birth of Maya in April I knew that this might be my last chance to win.

We ended up 9-1 in the regular season, but before the final regular season game I noticed my right knee was a bit stiff and swollen. I played one half of the game before I realized I could barely walk. The playoffs would be in 2 weeks and I did not want to miss that for another half of an insignificant game. I thought the swelling would dissipate and I would be good to go...as usual, I was mistaken.

Maya's anticipated birth was on the same day of the playoffs, so even though I was planning on missing the playoffs I was hoping she would delay her arrival for a couple of days. Apparently Maya will be a punctual individual, because she decided to arrive on her anticipated birth date. The playoffs obviously became an afterthought as we waited almost 24 hours for Maya to come. I found out later that our team lost in the semi-finals to an inferior team. I also found out that there would be an all-star game 3 weeks later, and I was again hopeful that I would be healthy enough to play.

3 weeks later, my right knee was still a mess. It felt a little better but barely. In those 3 weeks, the outside of my right knee would have painful clicks, as if something was catching between the bones. Walking up and down stairs, bending and straightening my knee, and almost any other knee movement would cause pain. The knee was swollen the entire time. Eventually, the clicks and catching ended but the knee was still swollen. Playing in the all-star game probably did not help, as I was pretty useless out there. I did get a sweet t-shirt though!

Over the summer, I would rest my knee and hope for a fall return to the football field. The swelling in my knee eventually went down and one month after the all-star game I had an MRI on my knee. A few weeks later, I got the results: "focal full-thickness cartilage loss in the posterior weightbearing surface of the lateral femoral condyle with sharp margins that suggest a traumatic etiology". In English, missing cartilage on the outside part of my knee.

As crazy as this sounds, I was hoping for something torn, such as an ACL or meniscus. At least with those surgeries, the pieces are normally still there and need to be re-attached. Doctors can't implant missing cartilage into empty spots. The only real solution is microfracture surgery, which is still a relatively new procedure with improving results. The procedure involves drilling small holes into the surrounding bone to get to the bone marrow, and the blood and bone marrow (that contains stem cells) causes a blood clot that results in new cartilage. However, the catch is the new cartilage is different than the original cartilage: it is denser and more likely to break down. Plus, it takes about 8 to 15 weeks for the blood clot to form the new cartilage, so rehab is a SLOW process. Not good news for someone like me who likes to get outside and do stuff.

During the rest of the summer, the swelling disappeared almost entirely and I was able to get back on the football field. And all was good for about 6 games, but then the next day after a double-header my knee swelled up again. I could not play the rest of the season. I knew something had to be done, not so much so I can play football but more so I can get back to running to supplement weight lifting. However, since we now had an infant, I was concerned about Autumn taking care of two helpless creatures. So, we decided to wait until after Maya's birthday party to have the surgery.

It was very tough to hear about the football team's exploits and not be able to help out. I knew after the last season that our team had a chance to be really good this winter. The team went undefeated in the regular season but lost a heartbreaker in the championship game. Would we have won if I was there? Who knows, but I would liked to have been there with the rest of the guys.

Everything is ready for tomorrow's surgery. I have to check-in at 6 a.m., which is ridiculously early but Maya gets up early anyway. I will be put under for the duration of the surgery, which should last about an hour. I should be able to go home around 10 a.m., and Autumn will pick up the pain medication that I will need. There is a rehabilitation center close to work where I can hobble to during my lunch break when I get back to the office. I will be on light duty until I get cleared by the doctor. Our group is very busy and I will miss being out in the field with them.

I am also concerned that Autumn will be tasked with doing everything until I can get back on my feet. She does so much right now and I feel bad being useless. I just know this has to be done and it is better to get it out of the way as soon as possible.

Good gracious, this is longer than "Atlas Shrugged"! I will probably be a little nervous, but I have met the surgeon numerous times for appointments and I feel confident he will do a great job. I am not sure when I will be able post something else, but I should have some free time in the next few days when I am lying down on the bed, couch, floor, etc.