Friday, April 15, 2011
Road to Recovery
A few weeks back I was picking up Abby from preschool with Leah in arms. It was a wet day and we just stepped out the door and proceeded down a ramp. Just then, my shoe slid on a wet rubber mat, I grabbed onto the railing (thank God there was one) and tried not to drop Leah. I had heard my knee pop a couple of times and when I tried to walk on the leg I just couldn't. In that moment I had to figure out what to do. I told Abby we were going back inside. I was able to hop back in and call Brian to tell him to come get us.
Brian arrived and took us directly to the Orthopedist. My mom met us there and picked up the girls. The doctor was able to extend my leg and felt the pop again. He said it was a torn meniscus and sent me on my way, walking out the door, but unable to bend my knee. I knew I would need surgery, but was suppose to be walking soon after and in a minimal amount of pain.
To my dismay, the MRI would tell me different. I learned that it was not the meniscus, but a big broken piece of cartilage now floating around in my knee. The doctor also discovered that I have Avascular Necrosis (AVN), a disease where there is cellular death of bone components due to interruption of the blood supply. Although it has only been confirmed that I have AVN in my left knee, I'm almost 100% positive that I have it in my right as well and possibly my elbow due to similar symptoms. The specific cause of AVN is unknown, but some known factors are Ulcerative Colitis, steriod treatment and pregnancy. All of which I have had and all at the same time. It's like the perfect storm. There is no cure for AVN, only a few possible treatments, none of which are very appealing. The doctor told me that I would need surgery as soon as possible to fix the cartilage. This would be a temporary fix until I'm in my 50's (if I make it that long) and need total knee replacement. He didn't want me walking on that leg and sent me away with crutches.
The main concern of my injury was the broken piece of cartilage. The doctor told us if bone broke off with the cartilage then he could place a pin in it and repair it. The bone would reattach itself. If there wasn't bone, he would have to take out the cartilage, sew me up and we would discus other surgeries in the future to repair it. He also planned on doing a core decompression, drilling into the bone that would hopefully stimulate new growth for the AVN.
After the surgery we learned that there wasn't bone with the cartilage and it couldn't be repaired. They also found a small tear in my meniscus and stitched it. I was in a lot of pain for about a day. I am still unable to bend my knee since it is so stiff and uncomfortable, so I will have physical therapy. I will have more invasive surgery in about a year. It will really depend on how much pain I am in not having cartilage in my knee. I had a follow-up appointment yesterday and the doctor said there are many options, but not one great one. They need to somehow replace the missing cartilage, so the rubbing won't destroy my bone. Now we need to decide which is best for me.
I am not allowed to walk on that leg for four weeks (3 weeks left). As you can imagine this is a big challenge being a mom of young children and photographer. It has put my life on hold. My in-laws have been taking turns flying/driving up from NC to come help. I really have no idea what I would do without them. Our friends and family have reached out to us in so many ways. The best of which, is just having them come over with a meal and being with us. That has helped me make it through this far.
God has been so good to us and I can't do anything but thank Him. I believe in my heart that He will heal me. I know He will. To think about my physical pain and loss of quality of life does nothing but destroy me. My only hope is to focus on the Greatest Healer there is and know His plan is mighty and I get to be a part of it!
And here are our beautiful children growing up so fast!!!
Brian arrived and took us directly to the Orthopedist. My mom met us there and picked up the girls. The doctor was able to extend my leg and felt the pop again. He said it was a torn meniscus and sent me on my way, walking out the door, but unable to bend my knee. I knew I would need surgery, but was suppose to be walking soon after and in a minimal amount of pain.
To my dismay, the MRI would tell me different. I learned that it was not the meniscus, but a big broken piece of cartilage now floating around in my knee. The doctor also discovered that I have Avascular Necrosis (AVN), a disease where there is cellular death of bone components due to interruption of the blood supply. Although it has only been confirmed that I have AVN in my left knee, I'm almost 100% positive that I have it in my right as well and possibly my elbow due to similar symptoms. The specific cause of AVN is unknown, but some known factors are Ulcerative Colitis, steriod treatment and pregnancy. All of which I have had and all at the same time. It's like the perfect storm. There is no cure for AVN, only a few possible treatments, none of which are very appealing. The doctor told me that I would need surgery as soon as possible to fix the cartilage. This would be a temporary fix until I'm in my 50's (if I make it that long) and need total knee replacement. He didn't want me walking on that leg and sent me away with crutches.
The main concern of my injury was the broken piece of cartilage. The doctor told us if bone broke off with the cartilage then he could place a pin in it and repair it. The bone would reattach itself. If there wasn't bone, he would have to take out the cartilage, sew me up and we would discus other surgeries in the future to repair it. He also planned on doing a core decompression, drilling into the bone that would hopefully stimulate new growth for the AVN.
After the surgery we learned that there wasn't bone with the cartilage and it couldn't be repaired. They also found a small tear in my meniscus and stitched it. I was in a lot of pain for about a day. I am still unable to bend my knee since it is so stiff and uncomfortable, so I will have physical therapy. I will have more invasive surgery in about a year. It will really depend on how much pain I am in not having cartilage in my knee. I had a follow-up appointment yesterday and the doctor said there are many options, but not one great one. They need to somehow replace the missing cartilage, so the rubbing won't destroy my bone. Now we need to decide which is best for me.
I am not allowed to walk on that leg for four weeks (3 weeks left). As you can imagine this is a big challenge being a mom of young children and photographer. It has put my life on hold. My in-laws have been taking turns flying/driving up from NC to come help. I really have no idea what I would do without them. Our friends and family have reached out to us in so many ways. The best of which, is just having them come over with a meal and being with us. That has helped me make it through this far.
God has been so good to us and I can't do anything but thank Him. I believe in my heart that He will heal me. I know He will. To think about my physical pain and loss of quality of life does nothing but destroy me. My only hope is to focus on the Greatest Healer there is and know His plan is mighty and I get to be a part of it!
And here are our beautiful children growing up so fast!!!
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