One year ago...

A year ago this month (November 7th to be exact) I had knee surgery. Ok it was a scope... but it sounds cooler when I say surgery. It was awful. It hurt. I took a lot of drugs that relieved my pain but made me feel super nauseated all of the time and constipated (that's gross I'm sorry but it's true!). For a week I had an immobilizer on and I couldn't shower or change my underwear without the help of my dear old mom. THAT'S embarrassing being 21 and having to have your mom help clothe and bathe you. And have you ever tried to go to the bathroom and try to keep one of you legs perfectly straight?? It takes a lot of talent and patience. I also ended up being in that 1% of patients they warn you about who have a lot of pain and scar tissue. I ended up having to use crutches and as Troy so kindly put it "walked like a zombie" when I didn't use them. It really was a horrible experience and I'm not looking forward to having my other knee done when it too decides to quit on me. I had to completely re-learn how to walk. I remember sitting at school and watching people walk and then trying to copy them. Then my knee would randomly give out and I would have to clutch on to the nearest pole, wall, person, etc... I did get a temporary disabled parking pass at school though. That made up for a lot of the torment. I found these pictures on my phone's sim card today... thought I'd share with you my disgusting swollen knee....

Here is the very first picture of my knee! This was taken literally moments after the
wrap/leg immobilizer was taken off my leg for the first time. It had been about 5 or 6 days since my surgery. My leg looks like a holiday ham. Just in time for Thanksgiving!

The other side in all of its swollen glory.

This photo and the next two were taken a few days after the "unveiling" of my new and improved knee


And this one was taken so you could compare the size of my knee caps. This photo was taken a few weeks after my surgery. it literally took FOREVER for the swelling to go down.
My savior at the U. I got the BEST parking :)

And just for good measure...
My healthy healed knee! And I swear my leg is not deformed despite what the last pic seems to show...Some how with my sweats bunched up like that it looks like my upper thigh is curving to the right. weird...