Thank you, everyone, for all the well wishes for my knee that have come through email and social media. I feel humbled and grateful for all this attention.

For those who don’t know, about three weeks ago when I was at the dog park, a couple of our furry best friends tumbled into me from behind. They hit the back of my knee, and as anyone who’s taken a self-defence class knows, that knocks you down immediately. 

The trouble was, in the fall, my quad tendon tore away from my kneecap. You know how doctors and nurses will ask you to rate your pain from 0 to 10, with 10 being the worst pain you’ve ever felt? 

This was a 10. 

Not only was the pain intense, the tear meant that my leg no longer functioned. My lower leg was like a crane whose cable has been severed. It no longer had the connection that would allow the tensing or contraction of my quadriceps to pull up my shin.

Current status

The accident happened three weeks ago. I went to the Emergency department locally, the doctors diagnosed the torn tendon and scheduled surgery for the following Monday. It was day surgery: I arrived at 8:00 a.m., went under the anaesthetic by 8:30, woke up at 10:30 a.m. and left the recovery room that evening. 

Cost: $0. 

That’s how universal, government-administered public health insurance works.

Now, a week and a half later, I’m starting to feel—well, not normal. But I’m getting used to going around the house on crutches. 

Stairs are not as scary anymore. 

I’ve learned how to move my injured leg with a minimum of pain.

I can find a position that’s comfortable for a half-hour at a time. 

For the first week, I woke up several times in the night. I just could not find a comfortable way to lie. And you know what it means when you wake up in the middle of the night: a trip to the bathroom. Extra challenging navigating with crutches in the dark. 

Now, I am waking up once or twice during the night—not great, but much better.

The pain medications are working better now, too. The doctors prescribed Advil and Tylenol (taken on different schedules, and they affect different pain receptors so it’s okay to take both), plus hydromorphone when needed.

I had the same injury on the other knee nine years ago. Same procedure, but at least it wasn’t winter time then. The surgeon prescribed hydromorphone then, too.

Hydromorphone is a derivative of morphine. 

I tried it then; I tried it this time. With the same results: nothing. 

No change in pain. No feeling of well-being, either. 

The Advil did some good, but by the third day after surgery, I was a concerned about redness and swelling. I went back to the hospital, worried about a blood clot (edema). I also mentioned that, while the Advil and Tylenol helped, I still had a fair amount of pain that seemed to wax and wane through the day. 

The resident who examined me told me the swelling was at an acceptable level for the trauma and surgery I had gone through, and prescribed Celebrex to replace Advil. He also prescribed a different opioid, Tramadol.

The Celebrex works much better than the Advil—almost 12 hours of pain relief. I haven’t tried the Tramadol. I’m leery of opioids, and thankfully, I haven’t needed it. 

Looking forward

Today, I’m getting ready to get back to work. The day job as well as the side hustle and the work I like to do.

I’m pretty good at crutching around the house, although I dare not go outside. Somehow, I don’t think crutches are compatible with snow.  

I’ve managed to produce two episodes of the podcast, a regular episode (Crushing Blows) and a bonus episode for supporters and patrons (The T-34: Best Tank of the War?). I put out a newsletter (I think you saw it) and now this blog post.

So it hasn’t been a loss. 

And I hope that I will be back on my bike by April.

Neighbours—the meaning of community

I have to thank, too, all the kind neighbours and friends who have stepped up to take on the things I cannot do right now.

Thanks again, everyone for your kind wishes and words. Until next time, keep your paddles in the water.

And happy Valentine’s!