Mood:
happyGood morning! While it is still evening on July 3rd back home, it is, in fact, a bright, sun-shiny 4th of July in Australia. Happy Independence Day!
- Which they don't celebrate in Australia, obviously...
Actually I have the day off, as this is my second (and last) recovery day from my very successful knee surgery I had on Wednesday night. I’ll start there.
I hurt my knee at Hapkido doing nothing in particular two weeks ago. Last Wednesday, I had my MRI done, which showed a torn, twisted, and lodged meniscus. After a few consults and a great deal of work by Tricare (Army health care), my surgery was scheduled for Wednesday. I was told to show up at 12:30p, but to start fasting at 6:30a, in order not to get sick under the anaesthetic.
Kimberly and I showed up at 12:30p, after dutifully not eating since 6:30a. Then after about an hour of sitting in a hospital bed filling out papers (menus and such) that we were CERTAIN we didn’t need, and after explaining to several nurses that we were just there for out-patient surgery, I finally asked, “When is my surgery scheduled?”
“6:00p.”
What? I was already hungry. Now I had to wait another 5 hours in a hospital room and I STILL couldn’t eat because I was less than 6 hours from the anaesthetic...I wasn’t too happy.
Anyway, finally at around 7:00, it was my turn “under the knife,” and Dr Miniter did a fantastic job. He tried to save the meniscus, but couldn’t, so he removed it completely. Now I’m recovering before I can get back to work and exercise.
With all being said and done, it all worked out okay, so no issues. I have a follow up appointment on Wednesday and a few trips to the physio in my immediate future, but all is good.
Also this week, I got a “blast from the past.” Mo Maxwell and her son, Jacob wrote to me! For those that don’t know, Mo wrote to me a lot while I was in Iraq. I swear it was at least daily. She kept me talking about just about anything just to keep me from getting bored. She was great! Her son, Jacob, is also an Iraqi vet, but is now looking for a job in civil service. I wish them both the best. It was great to hear from them.
Tomorrow night we will host the Hamett family for dinner. Jim is a class mate and was my roommate all the way through the Vietnam trip. Kimberly is putting on Greek Night! I’ve looked at the menu and it sounds fantastic.
Jacoby is out of school for a term break. I’m not until next week-end, which is when we go on our Cairns trip, which we are REALLY looking forward to. Should be good times and many pictures ahead!
Take care, and have a great week!
- Ryan
