The Long and Winding (Yellow Brick) Road

I wonder what Dorothy imagined when she stepped onto the yellow brick road and began to move forward in her journey. I know that she could not have known what would lie ahead, not really. So many miles to cover, so many turns in the road, and so much that was unknown.

When I stepped onto my yellow brick road on Tuesday, I thought I had an idea of what might be around the first corner. I've been told that if there was no improvement in my condition in two months, that the next step would be a total knee replacement.

Well, I met the orthopedic surgeon yesterday...finally, someone who has some experience with osteonecrosis! And I left that appointment with a completely different picture of the road ahead of me. Wow!

According to this really good doctor who knows what he is talking about, a total knee replacement is NOT in my future. He says that this procedure is the total end-of-the-road step and I am nowhere near that point. (Plus, he said that I shouldn't even have a knee replacement, if I do have one, until I'm 65- and that's nine years away).

Apparently, my knee is really great except for this spot of dead bone (well, it's more than a spot). He explained that bone can revascularize- that the body has this way of, over time, growing new blood vessels in a damaged area and, in essence, bringing it back to life. This takes LOTS OF TIME (6-18 months...who knows?) and there is no guarantee that it will happen in my case, but he believes that it is the way to go for now. To continue down the "waiting" road and do everything possible to give the bone the chance to heal itself.

John and I are still processing this news, because it truly is a different picture. It means that I'll be on crutches for a long time and that this is the way life will be for many, many months. In about a month, prior to my next appointment with the surgeon, I am to begin very slight weight-bearing and then report to him what happens (pain, muscle spasms, OK, etc.) We are going to take this literally "one step at a time" and see what happens.

No surgery, no guarantees. Sounds like an invitation to trust, doesn't it?

Thank you for your continuing prayers, now for REVASCULARIZATION. That's the word! That's the prayer....

I'll let you know how we're doing with this after we have the weekend to absorb it.  :-)

Blessings,
Joanna