It never rains...

[peteryoung]

On Friday I had another physiotherapy session, and the joint's recuperation is progressing as well as can be expected at this stage. But I still have stiffness and soreness when I walk on it, and on Friday I learned of a secondary problem after reading the whole of the surgeon's report (which I couldn't do the previous week as the physio couldn't access my file). In short, as well as the meniscal damage, the smooth shiny cartilage at the top of the femur also has a small split in it, known as an osteo-chondral defect, and this is a bugger as it usually takes several weeks longer to heal properly, helped if I restrict the use of my knee as much as possible to non-weight-bearing physiotherapy and therefore walk around as little as possible. I had hoped things would have healed sufficiently to be able to go back to work maybe at the end of next week, but this news now makes it look less likely.

Then this morning I had an appointment with the Occupational Health people at work, and I'm now left with the reality of this situation as far as the job is concerned. Given this extended recuperation prognosis for my knee and the fact that its healing will possibly take longer than I had hoped, I was told today in no uncertain terms that unless there's a noticeable improvement in the immediate future then they won't let me go back to work for at least another three weeks, and then probably only to temporary 'ground duties' (a desk job... WTF's that?) for a period of time before they let me back on a plane again.

Depressing.

So here's how it is: the knee is getting better and stronger a little every day, but I am still limping slightly if I have to walk more than about 50 paces, though this distance is gradually improving and my walking speed is now back to normal. I'm doing the physio exercises several times a day as instructed, and will probably get on a bike (carefully) soon, to give it gentle resistance which I hope to then build up. My gut instinct is that my knee will only heal if I don't walk on it too much, which the physiotherapist agrees is something that might aggravate the split at the top of the femur and prevent it from healing normally: at present, it's like one day's full activity needs two day's recuperation.

So as a knock-on to this, what bothers me seriously today is that I find I'm actually having to consider not going to Concussion in Glasgow at the weekend, with all the walking around and activity that will entail in getting there and being there and getting back, which I suspect (after living with this problem for the last three months) will not help my knee heal very much at all. However given today's news and also my physio's advice on what may prevent the knee from recuperating properly, I don't get a good feeling about going to Glasgow. On the other hand, I'm also 'pubbing my ish' this week and want to be at Concussion to pass it around personally (which is another compelling reason to go), and I'm also on two panels on Friday afternoon and obviously don't wish to let people down.

I don't want to flout doctor's orders, but with both sides stacked up the way they are I'm finding myself asking "What to do?" as I obviously really do want to be at Concussion. Bugger.

(And as a colleague who is also being kept off long-term flying told me today, "Welcome to the world of no money.")

Comments

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

Up to you, but don't break yourself for us. It would be a pity not to see you, especially after all the work you've done on the fiction chapbook. We can always be flexible about programme items and everyone will understand if you can't make it for health reasons. (You'd be in good company.

[peteyoung.livejournal.com]

Thanks. That was another big concern, you having to reschedule panelists at short notice. I'll probably make a final decision Thursday morning as I was planning on coming up Thursday evening.

[fjm.livejournal.com]

It will cost us £20 to get you a wheelchair. I used one for five days back in 1996 and it's sort of fun when you know it's not permanent. Call me tomorrow and we can discuss it.

[vicarage.livejournal.com]

A wheelchair would be a solution at the con, and I guess many people can advise you about that. I'm sure you better than most how to fly without walking (I of course can fly without flapping my arms, but that's a special skill)

Hope you do make it to the con.

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

I will have my car in case you do get to Concussion. I think you should ask for a wheelchair at the con.

Goodluck either way.

[surliminal.livejournal.com]

I'll have a car too if that helps. It'd be sad not to see you!

[vicarage.livejournal.com]

I'd hope BA still pay you when your sick, or is there some special flying pay?

[peteyoung.livejournal.com]

I'm on basic pay, which only really accounts for a third of the total when I'm actually working.

[vicarage.livejournal.com]

Ouch! Get well soon, as it must be very frustrating being stuck at home.

[lamentables.livejournal.com]

Sympathies with the slow progress and the prospect of being tied to a desk.

Weighing in on the other side of the argument (because someone has to), I'm betting that you'll probably still put more stress on the knee by going to the con than by staying at home, even if you do get a wheelchair and allow people to drive you around. And whilst it might cheer you up to go and see your friends, it's a long weekend's pleasure balanced against setting back your progress, keeping you from flying, and making you more miserable in the longer term. Not being available for the panels is immaterial when making decisions like this - it's only you and your knee that matter.

[peteyoung.livejournal.com]

I'm inclined to agree. I know the whole time I'd be there that I'm not doing myself any favours.

[abrinsky.livejournal.com]

First some encouragement: I had a very similar op on my knee a few years ago. Other than two weeks with a walking-stick it has recovered very well - so much so that I was soon back to karate and should be doing my dan grading later this year. Only thing I can't do is bend it back that last millimeter or so.

But to the question. Basically, unless you are very comfortable that it wont make it worse then be very, very cautious about what you do and think hard about the plus/minus of going. Would suggest that you need to think long term rather than just about Eastercon.

(But saying that whilst I was on sick leave for two weeks I still spent two days in Gloucester Crown Court, with my boss at the time driving miles out of the way to pick me up. We did get a result though... £250,000 fine plus lots of costs).

[abrinsky.livejournal.com]

Not to influence you one way or the other (yes have been listening to Blondie) but as we are not going to Eastercon this year then maybe we could come down and visit...?

[peteyoung.livejournal.com]

That would be cool. I don't know your phone no. but my details are here (http://flyingsauce.livejournal.com/115515.html). Call me any time.

[lamentables.livejournal.com]

We'll give you a call tomorrow then.

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

Ah, man. :-P