Saturday, January 26, 2008

Of Knees and Friends


First, the bad news. Can you say "torn meniscus"? No? How about "medial collateral ligament tear"? One of those little terms is what happened to my knee. The treatment? Well, if it's the first, I get to have surgery. And if it's the second, I get to wear a brace for 6-8 weeks until it heals. That's 6-8 WEEKS PEOPLE! Prepare for bad language. I can't even begin to tell you how fucking depressing this is.


And just because it is that depressing, I absolutely refuse to get depressed about it. Because in my life the good news always outweighs the bad. So, here's the good news. One of my dear, dear friends had surgery for breast cancer yesterday. The surgery went well and there was no sign of cancer in her lymph nodes. Can you say, "Glory! Hallelujah!" Talk about perspective. I invite you to visit her at The Practical Vampire Slayer and send her all your good love and healing energy. This woman is practicing some principles that will work for anything. You don't want to miss out.


The cowboy (who just for the record was not the bad guy of the "Girl, you've been had!" post) came over last night, brought me dinner and had the good manners to make me totally forget for awhile that I'm in pain and can hardly walk. Then, this morning, he drove me around town to take care of errands that would've been a lot harder to do alone. These Montanan's - I swear, I want to be one of them.

Another dear friend has offered me a part-time job that will nicely supplement my income while I'm waiting for my real job to pick up again.
Tom, my co-worker and fellow deer slayer, picked up Kisster's medicine for me and then attempted to engage in some cock blocking with the cowboy which was absolutely entertaining for me.

I'm the proud new owner of a cast iron skillet bestowed upon me by a member of my writer's group as well as some vintage glass and pottery that I couldn't afford, but that magically appeared on my front porch along with a "paid" receipt. That friend with breast cancer? She also left me a container of wonderful soup before her surgery.


It is my sincere hope that I will be judged in heaven (or wherever the hell I end up) by the friends I have in this life.


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Angel... I sat down this evening to do a little typing and make a couple of extra bucks, hopefully to be saved for vacation or something special, and wonders never cease, all the work was done. I rarely, and I mean rarely, find myself with even 10 minutes of time on my hands, but this evening I did. I looked up your blog, which I had not had time to read since your blog about your web business and expectations, and have thoroughly enjoyed catching up with you for about the past hour. Even though I could in fact read your blog in 5 minutes, I was way behind and wanted to keep reading. Loved hearing about the wolves and your mom and dad's visit, and was pleased to hear you have a little nephew. (I know you know we're getting old, but that makes you a grand-aunt. Don't worry about it, I'm one, too.) So sorry to hear about your knee, even though I had to giggle about the chair-walker. It's a bitch getting old. I'm not a blogger, so I'm not sure my "comment" is supposed to be this long... but I enjoyed reading. Continue to take care of yourself... you're the only one who can do it. Lots of love, Wendy

Angela said...

What a treat, Wendy! There are no rules in the blogosphere and it's so nice to be visited by you. We've come a long way, haven't we, baby? I'll see you in the spring the Georgia spring.

bella said...

the knee surgery and long recovery sucks, just plain sucks. I'm sorry.
and yet these things in life for which you give thanks, they are abundant and so rich, I could feel the love.
take care of yourself.

Anonymous said...

Three cheers for cowboys bearing dinner.

Anonymous said...

And speaking of friends who hobble over and bring you incredible stuff to eat -- Angela that dinner! Holy schmoely did you say it wasn't as good as usual??? It was FANTASTIC. Just delicious, and I feel like it gave my body exactly everything it was asking for.
Plus the chocolate, of course.

thanks, darlin.

Annie Z said...

Even with surgery you will be in for a few weeks recovery time! I had knee surgery a few years ago. It's not so bad. It will all be over before you know it and you will be better than ever! Take this time to have more time for you. Who knows what this time of forced rest will bring!
Annie
xxx

Angela said...

Thanks, Bella & Kelly.

C - I'm glad you like it! Everything in it so good for you. My body responds to it the same way - with a resounding YES!

Annie, I've been thinking that very thing. I can make this into a very good thing if I decide to - and I think I will. :)

Mahala said...

That knee thing looks all hurty.

Unknown said...

Dear Angela,

Here I am feeling sorry for myself this evening and then I read your latest post...I have congenital kneecap dislocation (both my kneecaps are set to the right which makes dislocation frequent and f-g annoying), the only thing I cannot do is run or walk down the stairs, and I try to not think about it. That is here nor there, after your brace comes off in six or so weeks just walk and exercise that knee as soon as it is free. The best thing from my orthopedic surgeon is walking and swimming. Whenever you can put something warm on your kneecap, even just a warm cloth, if you have arthritis it soothes without taking any over the counter stuff.
Take care, and I hope you continue to keep telling us your story, I feel less alone when I read you,
Carolyn

p.s. I just finished Cowboys Are My Weakness by Pam Houston. Have you read it too?
t.y.

Unknown said...

Sending healing thoughts.
Carolyn

Mich said...

Best of luck with the surgery Angela, all my thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy and uncomplicated recovery!

Also am very delighted to hear of your friend's good news.

mich
x.

Mich said...

Best of luck with the surgery Angela, all my thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy and uncomplicated recovery!

Also am very delighted to hear of your friend's good news.

mich
x.

Angela said...

Carolyn,

Thanks for the advice! And no I haven't read that book, but will put it on my "to read" list.

Thanks, Mich! and Mahala.

Jane said...

I'm sending you lots of love and light for the knee heeling. Your post made me smile because, while visiting my friend in Oregon over Thanksgiving, I was told, "you think people from Oregon are friendly...you should go spend some time in Montana!!".