Everyone knows this but I feel the need to repeat it in order for you to understand the rest of the story...
About six years ago I was fighting off a few members of a drug cartel, down on the border, when I was shot in the left leg. The bullets shattered my femur in fourteen places and as I fell I fractured my hip. Emergency surgery was performed and brilliant doctors put my leg back together as best they could. A second surgery came about two months later when it was determined the femur wasn't healing properly. Sadly, the second surgery didn't help and I was told I would have to live with the weak leg and the constant pain......
Okay, Debbie said I had to tell the truth....Actually the above story is all true except the part about fighting drug cartels when the damage occurred. In truth....in blazing, boring truth, I fell off a three step ladder and shattered my left leg. Even though the facts aren't nearly as exciting as most handicapped men my age, the damage left me handicapped. One day when I pulled into a handicapped parking space another car pulled in beside me. Both of us struggled out of our cars while using canes for support. The other driver, about my age, looked at me and asked, "Vietnam?" I said that wasn't my case and asked if it was his. He told me he had been shot up in the jungles of Vietnam in 1968 and was left with a torn up leg. Then he asked what happened to me. It told him about the three step ladder incident. He looked at me for a moment then said, "You might want to work on that story". I thanked him for his service and sacrifice for our country and quietly walked away.
Okay, back to my explanation. When I was about to be released by the surgeon six years ago his last advice to me was this: 1) The femur will never heal in two places. The rod and pins in your leg and hip are not designed to carry your weight for a lifetime. If you're lucky they will last about ten years before you need additional surgery. 2) Additional surgery could cause more damage to the leg putting you into a wheel chair the rest of your life. 3) Do not put any pressure on your left leg for any reason...no running, fast walking, bike riding, standing in one spot, and on and on, or the rod will give out sooner rather than later. 4) You will always have the pain. Have a nice day! His pronouncement changed my life. Everything I loved to do was on my "don't" list. I have walked with a cane constantly, keeping the left leg from having to support me. I have been very careful getting in and out of my pickup. I avoid stairs. In fact, I avoid anything requiring me to use that leg. In other words, my left leg has been on sabbatical for the past six years and has grown fat and lazy. During a month long spring cleaning frenzy in our backyard a couple of months ago the leg began to ache more than usual. It kept me awake at night and sharp pains shot through it constantly. Even though I had been careful I was certain my time was up. My doctor (son Cody) agreed and sent me to another surgeon. I went and had all the necessary tests and x-rays done and then Debbie sat with me in his office awaiting the bad news. He came in, sat down and said those words I will never forget: "You are completely healthy! There is no need for you to ever have more surgery on this leg!" Deb and I couldn't believe it! I quizzed him with,
"but what about the rod not lasting a lifetime?"
"The rod will last forever."
"But what about the femur not healing in two places?"
"Take a look at the x-rays. The bone is completely healed."
"But what about the constant pain?"
"The pain is from the hardware in your femur and hip as well has significant scarring around the femur."
"So, can I do anything I want?"
"Anything your wife will allow you to do?"
"Can I toss my cane?"
"Not until you build up the muscles in that leg again."
"But then I can get rid of it, right?"
"Right."
"Will this pain go away after I start using the leg again?" (At this point I'm enjoying all the positive answers)
"No, the pain will always be around. When it gets bad take an Aleve or drink a beer if your wife will let you."....bummer
Now I know this hasn't been an especially interesting story but I felt a need to tell it for this reason: Everyone, and I mean everyone including strangers has been so thoughtful and helpful over the past six years. I don't want anyone thinking I was using the cane for sympathy now that I will eventually not use it. Because of surgeon #1's predictions, and a tremendous amount of pain early on I desperately needed that cane. I still need it until I can get some serious exercise on the leg. When I finally feel confident the leg is going to support me, I will hang my old cane back up on my hat rack where it will hopefully stay. I will always be grateful to it for its support and companionship. It was the cane my grandpa used for many years and now several cousins are lining up to take it from me. I'm not going to give it up. They can go to Walmart if they need a cane.
I think I'll talk Deb into some dance lessons!!
