Out of the Red!

Surgery was fairly successful and I have safely passed through the first two weeks of recovery with no signs of infection. Ya! Praise God! I am officially allowed out of bed, but am still on crutches. I actually took a stroll on the crutches today and saw some of my first real progress in physical therapy. My leg is finally starting to feel less like a wet noodle attached to my hip. My energy level is still low, but I’m sure it will return in a few more weeks when my knee is more fully healed and less painful.

Unfortunately, the surgery revealed an additional tear in a lateral ligament that could not be repaired with surgery and will hopefully heal on its own as well as a large tear in the medial cartilage. About a third to half of the medial cartilage had to be removed from my left knee. This means that I have lost a lot of the main padding between the bones and will need to avoid high impact activities like running and soccer in the future. Apparently, I also have unusually elastic ligaments that are prone to injury. It is something of a miracle that I have never had a ligament injury before- even after playing soccer on and off for over 15 years. It really was a blow to hear that I will have to retire myself from two of my most loved activities- soccer and running- if I don’t want to have arthritis by the time I’m forty or snap another ligament. I am still thankful that I will be able to resume most activities in another 9 months or so. I am truly humbled to learn what it is like to be a full adult and completely incapable of taking care of myself. My parents and friends have been amazing and for that I am truly blessed.

I have certainly grown in appreciation for the numerous wheelchair ramps, elevators and lifts that make the US a far more disability friendly place than the DR. I am missing the wonderful warm weather and charming people of the DR, but am delighted to be able to enjoy the beautiful fall colors here in IL.

The Doulos students have safely returned form their hike up Pico Duarte (tallest mountain in the Caribbean). Please pray for the continued ministry of Doulos and for extra energy for the substitute teachers that are filling the hole that my absence has left. Through the wonders of the internet, I have been able to continue to write lesson plans and online laboratory activities, but some one else still has to be there to teach the students. I would also appreciate prayers for continued healing and prayers against discouragement. I have been delighted to receive so much support and encouragement upon my return to the US from friends and family here as well as in the DR.

The Wonders of Knee Surgery!!!!

I did indeed snap my ACL (that really important ligament that keeps your bones in place and allows you to run) and tear part of the meniscus (padding between the bones that prevents arthritis). Fortunately, in the last few decades they have developed an amazing surgery to fix an ACL since it can’t heal by itself. On October 10th, the esteemed Dr. Gurtler will be taking a part of the ligament in front of my knee and attaching it in the center of my knee to replace the ACL. I will be the first member of the family to have permanent titanium screws in my body, but I am extremely grateful that I will be able to run again some day. After surgery I will be flat on my back for at least a week and then start the long process of recovery. I will have 6 months of therapy before my leg will be healed and maybe a year before it feels normal.
Praises for How God is still taking care of me:
1. Both my mother and I had a sense that something was really wrong and that I needed to return to the US pronto. The doctor told me yesterday that if I had remained in a cast for a month in the DR, the swelling would have hardened and I NEVER would have regained full motion or normal use of my leg.
2. I am increadibly blessed to have 3 awesome communities: NCF (my home church), my amazingly helpful family that is looking after me right now, and Doulos.
3. I can be fixed and run again someday!! I wont be a gimp for life or forced to sit still all too often. Whew!!!!
4. With the wonders of the internet- I am able to plan lessons on line and send them back to Doulos.
5. My mom is an awesome cook and my dad is doctor so I will be in excellent hands.

Prayer requests:
1. That the Doulos students hiking up Pico Duarte this month (tallest mountain in the Caribbean) will remain safe and learn more about godly community and God’s amazing creations.
2. That my surgery will go well and that I will be able to recover quickly. I am still planning to return to the DR in January, but this will require me to be far enough along in physical therapy to continue it on my own. I also need to have full range of motion and have totally kicked the sinus infection I had for two weeks to even have the surgery.
3. That I wont go absolutely bonkers trying to stay still after surgery.
4. That I will be able to write creative and easily teachable substitute plans for Doulos!
4. Finances-I had no idea that dealing with US health insurance was such a headache! I am still working on funding for the next semester.
5. That I will be able to hear God and learn what he wants me to learn during this unexpected time in the US.

My words of wisdom for the day:
1. Trust God with everything and you will find His peace. (Psalm 28:7, Isaiah 26:3)
2. NEVER put a knee injury in a cast!!