When my granddaughter was still an infant her twin brother had already mastered the art of turning  over from his back and then crawling away. My granddaughter, on the other hand, would just flail her arms and legs back and forth unable to propel herself from her back to her tummy. It was sad to watch her frustration as she somehow knew that she should be able to do what her brother was already doing. 

A call and a trip to the pediatrician revealed that my granddaughter’s muscles were stiff, making it seemingly impossible to accomplish the most basic maneuvers. Luckily there was a program in Chicago that provided a pediatric physical therapist to help the little one build up the strength in her muscles that would ultimately free her from a state of feeling as though her limbs were frozen in concrete. 

The incredible therapist came to my daughter’s home four days a week to work with the little girl who seemed determined to overcome her handicap. I watched one of the sessions and it was quite apparent that the exercises were painful but had to be done to loosen the joints that were holding the child back. It hurt to watch her straining and wincing and pushing herself to do something that she surely did not totally understand given that she was not yet one year old. She had so much fight in her that it was inspiring to watch. 

My granddaughter Abby did overcome her handicap and was soon meeting milestone after milestone alongside her twin brother. She has exhibited the same level of determination over and over again in her lifetime whether it was learning how to swim or sticking with an exercise program that keeps her strong and healthy. 

When I elected to have a total knee replacement I found that nobody really explained the recuperation process associated with having such surgery as well as they probably should have done. It really is not until the deed is already done that the truth of pain levels and the need for exercise becomes real. Before that point there are simply phrases and platitudes that don’t take into account the wide range of possible outcomes that tend to vary from one person to the next. 

The pain is unrelenting even with narcotic drugs but mostly bearable in my case. I’ve had a full hysterectomy, had a bone grafted to my jaw, and endured an implant being placed in the back of my mouth and nothing compares to the pain levels of total knee replacement. Nonetheless, I tend to be a stoic so I mostly find ways to divert my attention from thinking about the pain by concentrating on doing something else. At the same time I tend to be a fighter like my granddaughter. Once I know what I need to accomplish I am unwilling to cease my efforts until I have met my goals. 

That being said, I also understand that tolerance to pain varies widely from one person to the next. I suspect that I am in the midrange where I can’t say that the pain is not so bad, but I also have to admit that I can only bear it with a bit of teeth gritting. It makes sense that taking out one’s knee cap and replacing the mechanism with an artificial joint that moves much like the original is not going to be a piece of cake. Fortunately, I seem to have found an outstanding surgeon to do the deed who is accompanied by an experienced group of medical experts who track my progress from day to day. As such even the smallest question or concern that I have is addressed quickly with my comfort in mind. 

I have to admit to being quite surprised by how quickly progress is made. I am now about two weeks from my surgery date and I will be walking around my home with only a cane. I have met my goal of bending the new knee at least ninety degrees and am very close to being able to hold my leg completely straight. I have devoted myself to a routine that controls the pain and keeps me from becoming stiff. It involves walking every hour on the hour and repeating exercises throughout the day. 

I’ve managed to do a load of laundry, make my bed, dress myself, and shower without help. It took a bit of time but I finally was able to put on my socks and shoes. I literally keep the memory of my granddaughter working so hard to free her limbs as my source of inspiration. If that baby girl was able to overcome the stiffness holding her back, then this old gal should be okay as well. 

My sense of compassion is in high gear right now as I think of people dealing with far worse injuries and situations. I know that my pain must seem mild compared to those with more horrific physical needs. I feel a strong sense of gratitude for the many people who are walking with me on this journey and I suppose that I have a sense that I will never again take for granted that I understand the pain or suffering of someone else. This experience has been both humbling and miraculous and I know full well that when my granddaughter graduates with high honors from college in May I will be walking without a limp and with a heart filled with pride for the woman she has become. I don’t think that I would have done nearly as well without her inspiration.