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.