15 Things I've Learned from Knee Surgery

Some of you may be wondering why you haven't heard too much from this Harris Sister lately. Personal friends and those in contact via social media know that I had surgery on my left knee in early April. 

The surgery was to correct a severe meniscus tear that I got late last September on our trip to Disney World. It wasn't diagnosed, however, until well after I had written my four-part series on Disney World: The Basics, What to Wear, Freebies, and Halloween, which is why those posts don't mention it (not that I'm a doctor or could give advice about those things via a blog post.)

Anyhoot, I have been on the mend since April 1, and the recovery is very slow going. And in that time, I've learned a few things that I thought I would share with you - everyone could use a dose of inspiration, right?

Even with as much information we could get from the doctors, their estimates for initial recovery ranged from 2 to 6 weeks. Oftentimes, the answer would come buffered with "everyone is different." 

This (of course) was very frustrating for someone trying to plan time off from work, arrange for back up people to cover for me, plan for two boys' schedules, and plan for a husband to take over the majority of my shopping, errands, housework, etc. But, I also knew that I couldn't let that affect my decision to have the surgery. 

In the days immediately following surgery, I think this one is pretty self explanatory. :-)

But not all days have been bad; I have been able to shuffle around like Igor, Dr. Frankenstein's assistant, although admittedly with not as much panache and probably not as quickly. Oh, and it hurts like a bugger. But, every little thing's gonna be alright.

And that shuffling? That's progress. (At least I hope it is.)

I trust this is true.

These two kind of go together in my mind. Because I can't get around so well, I'm not all over every inch of the house as per usual. It MIGHT look like a tornado hit it in some areas. BUT, I'm choosing to focus on what's going right when it goes right and I realize that if part of the house looks like a tornado hit it today, a year from now, I won't even remember (hopefully).

Here's another one for you - happiness is a choice. You definitely have to choose happiness when your knee hurts so much. And happy girls shine brighter!

And as I head into the first of many months worth of physical therapy appointments, I will remember the words of Will Rogers, knowing that fixating on the "good ol' days of when my knee worked" won't be all that helpful in my recovery now.

And neither will settling for a knee that won't work correctly . . . 

I'm sure so much physical therapy seems daunting at first, but I've had to do it before after a car accident, and I will do it again. Nothing is too hard if you put your mind to it.

Oh, Dr. Seuss! I had no idea that you were talking about learning how to walk (again) at the ripe old age of 38! :-) That is my current mountain to move, and I plan on moving it.

And just so you don't think I've gone completely soft, I'll leave you with this Oscar Wilde quote (that may as well have been via the Golden Girls). Even though I can't hobble to my favorite stores just yet, I've done just fine with the Interwebs at my disposal - after all, I've had Easter outfits to plan. :-)

Hope these brightened your day! Check out these and other inspirational messages on my Words to Live By Pinterest Board.