Well, called the insurance company to see the progress of my claim…They had not received it from the company that grows the cells yet! I am three weeks post arthorscopic surgery and they don’t even know my claim exists yet! The lab, however, was very helpful. They had not submitted it because they did not have the paperwork from the doctor until the day I actually called. Wow, this is moving at a glacial pace. So pretty much I am not advancing the ball toward recovery and my knee is continuing to deteriorate. It swells every day, and is difficult to use on the stairs. I continue to use the eliptical (doctor said it was okay but that it might hurt) and to lift weights. I am starting to feel somewhat like a psycho, because I continue to exercise out of a mental need to do so, but it hurts (which seems unproductive). The rehab is one year, and it has not begun. My doctor says that there is a 90% chance the surgery will improve my function, but only a 50% chance I will return to running long distance. I hate to even complain because mostly people do not understand what the big deal is. Further, I’m sick of my own whining about the situation. I am using this blog because no one reads it anyway, and that way I can vent, reflect a year from now on my progress and hopefully be grateful I have moved on.
ACI Knee Surgery – Insurance Gods
23 JanWaiting what feels endlessly for the insurance gods to agree to my ACI surgery. Ughh. Very impatient to gt on with my procedure and recovery. It will cost in the 30k range, so not anxious to finance myself. Anyone had this procedure ok’d by insurance? Weird to be anxious to be operated on and to be in pain, but until it gets started it can be over…
ACI Surgery?
8 JanWell, I went in for microfracture and when i woke up I was told that the lesion was too large for this procedure. So, now, my recovery is postponed yet another month while they grow cartilage from a sample taken from my knee in a lab in Boston. This is becoming increasingly depressing. So I sit here with an incredibly swollen knee from the arthroscopic procedure, with nothing but cancelled vacation plans to look forward to. Anyone have anything positive to say about ACI?
Microfracture Surgery — do I really want to do this?
22 DecOk, so I am about two weeks out from this surgery I am supposed to have. It’s been over a month since I have run and my knee is feeling almost normal (except for when it doesn’t). After two weeks of rain, it’s now sunny and pretty out. So, I am really fighting the urge to try to go out and run. I think this must be what an alcoholic feels lie — “just one – no one will know – it won’t hurt anyone”. This urge is almost irresistable. I think there is definitely a mental illness involved! I know logically that it could cause further damage to run on this knee of mine – but boy this is difficult. I guess I’ll eat some christmas cookies instead. Have been dreaming of running – it doesn’t hurt in my dreams…
Runner Down
10 DecI decided to start this Blog because I am a runner who just found out that I need micro fracture surgery for my knee and was dissappointed at how little information I was able to find on the web about my likelihood of recovering enough to run again. Here is my sad tale. I am a 44 year old female who has been running for 10 years. I was training for my 9th marathon and had completed 2 20 milers when I started to feel significant pain in my knee. Bottom line: one week before the marathon I was told by a knee specialist I needed microfracture surgery and that I could not run again for a year. Now to most normal people (i.e. people who do not obsessively run long distances) this is not a big deal. I on the other hand spent the next several days in tears. If you are a runner you understand that this is extremely depressing news. I have three things in my life that matter to me 1) my family; 2) my job and 3) running. I am not sure I would have 1 & 2 without having 3. Seriuosly, running got me thru every stressful period of time in my life without the need for a psychologist. I’ts free therapy! I am addicted to it and now I can’t have it. Withdrawal has taken the form of buying an elliptical, obsessively using a weight machine and soon a stationary bike. My surgery is set for Jan 6 after which I will not be able to bear weight on my knee for two months. I understand that this surgery is pretty common. So if you are reading this because you have had it or are about to please let me know how you are doing. It is my intent to chronicle my recovery so that if you find yourself in the same boat you will know what to expect. In the meantime I am going to do my level best not to stare longingly at people running down the street and to stop being annoyed when my husband goes for a run!
desperate2run 