this time it's serious

About a month ago hiking I fell on my left knee. It's not the first time and certainly not the last. An MRI would probably tell a horrific tale of past injuries.

I've been having a little trouble with it, and there was still a bump under it. I've had visions of evil diseases dancing in my head about the bump, but frankly I can't afford to do anything about it. I think 2021 will be the year of the doctor. My medicare kicks in.

I had noticed that my knee bothers me more when I sit a long time. That's actually terrific. Standing and moving are good for me. Friday, however, I sat thru almost my entire three hour class. I got up and damn my knee hurt. I did what I always do -- I walked it off.

Then Sunday I turned it at Hickory Run. I was limping Sunday, and took some generic Advil and felt better on Monday. I went to school and noticed that I was unsteady walking down the hill from the parking lot. And it's not much of a hill.

I took more Aleve before bed, and got up Tuesday and felt fine. Since I shower in the evening, I wash my hair in the morning. I knelt down at the tub, washed my hair and went to get up. Not thinking I used my left leg -- the injured one to pull myself up. Immediately I knew it was a mistake. My knee made a horrible noise like unscrewing a bottle of soda. Then someone stabbed me with mini knife blades. I just was yelling the f-word over and over again. I hopped back to my room and sat on the bed till the pain went away.

I stood up and could barely walk. I held on to the furniture and reached the stairs. How was I going to go down? It wasn't easy and I probably should have gone down on my butt.

I continued to walk and hold on to furniture. Then I went to my ask and graded until it was time for school, taking walk-breaks so my knee didn't freeze up. It was exhausting.

I emailed the dept head and asked how I could get a parking pass for the "circle". It's a five minute pick-up zone for the child care center. I knew if I walked from the lot I wouldn't be able to work. It was downhill going in and uphill going back.

But honestly getting up and down from a seated position is the hardest.

I took my hiking stick into school and used it during class. I stood the whole time, sometimes balancing on one leg and holding something. My knee was feeling better. I talked to people with the same issue and they said the doctor is useless unless something is busted or torn. It wasn't swollen so we guessed that wasn't the case. I should probably brace it.

Now Bonnie has broken a lot of bones and had several replacement parts put in. I called her during break to see if she had a brace. She did. I picked it up after class. She gave me the low-down on how to use it.

When I got home I put it on. I stood up and it fell down. I made it even tighter. It seemed like it was staying. Late I walked to the back porch and it fell down. The brace was a bust.

I took an Aleve and went to bed.

This morning it felt better. I'm walking better. It still hurts.

A little while ago I took a walk to the corner. Then back down.  Unassisted. It was slow going. I felt like I walked a mile. I might have done better if the 'hood was level.

I don't think I need the hiking stick today but I'll take it to school anyway. And I'm going to park in the circle again.

Miles/Steps:                  1 block 

Weather:                       46, windy, sunny
Bathrooms:                   didn't use

Wildlife:                        none

Extra:                            I talked to all the neighbors. I think the roomie might have been getting worried.