Result of the doctor appointment

[pegkerr]

The doctor thinks that the problem isn't a sprained MCL (ligament) but instead probably a tear in the meniscus, the cartilege that cushions the bones of the knee. It can be tricky to tell the two problems apart, because the point where I'm feeling pain is where the ligament crosses over the cartilege. But I'm going to have an MRI on Thursday and then meet with him next Tuesday. If he sees what he expects he'll see, I'll be having knee surgery.

Needless to say, I am NOT thrilled to receive this news. I'll know more next week.

Rob's unemployment is about to run out.

I am really, really depressed. It is gray and rainy, and I'm afraid of the future. And I can't even do karate to get myself into a better mood. Please leave a comment to cheer me up, people. I really need it.

What I did today to make the world a better place: I stopped in my local Starbucks for a cup of coffee before my appointment, and I bought a pound of coffee which will be donated to the troops over in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Comments

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

Well, I just posted pictures of my Demon Godchild and her hair, which might amuse you.

There is cool white winter sunlight here, but the weather is actually warm. Think of spring, and growth, and the trees showing you how many shades of green there are.

[cliosfolly.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about the prospective knee situation and hope it (and the unemployment situation) turn out well in the long run.

On a different subject altogether, you might enjoy this video about narwhals migrating.

Last night, I made this lemon tart, and it is a cheerful, uplifting sunset golden color. I plan to try heating a piece tonight so that I can eat it all warm and summery. I shall send you a virtual slice!

[faeryguinevere.livejournal.com]

Every night, my three year old says "Be a lion, Dada." He chases her up the stairs, "eats her up" and we are met with giggles before bathtime each evening. It's adorable and the only thing that gets me through the gray days.

[aome.livejournal.com]

The tips of my neighbor's snowdrops are starting to peek up! And the days are noticeably longer now.

[aome.livejournal.com]

For some reason, LJ doesn't like the image tag I'm trying to use, so I'll just post the link to the pic I want to share here.

[slrose.livejournal.com]

A picture of my friends new twins: http://slrose.livejournal.com/105680.html#cutid1

It's f-locked, but you're friended.

[pinguthegreek.livejournal.com]

When things really get me down, which they do sometimes, I find it helps a little to reassure myself that nothing stays the same indefinitely.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

I can see over the snowbank now, when backing out of the driveway. This may not improve your outlook on life, but it has done wonders for mine. Literally.

[hobbitbabe.livejournal.com]

The days are getting longer.
At least one beautiful baby was born yesterday.

[sternel.livejournal.com]

The two women on my flist who are in Australia have both posted this picture:



which is perhaps sad, but also affirming and makes me smile even in the midst of my worry for K.

The koala was dubbed Sam, and was taken by animal rescue to treat her burned paws -- and yes, despite the firefighter's initial assumption, she's a she. =)

[ravenspb.livejournal.com]

Beautiful, talented daughters and dashingly handsome husband, all who seem to intensely love you.

And I'm sure your tired of hearing this, but each day is a fresh start. I know this is true, but I have days when I wish I could go back to the day before for a do over.

[penmage.livejournal.com]

Oh, I wanted to tell you something yesterday and I forgot! Darn it!

Yesterday was Tu B'Shvat, which is a minor Jewish holiday that is considered the New Year for Trees. We celebrate by planting trees and eating fruit and doing good things for the environment. And as N said in a sermon last week, Tu B'Shvat is also about land laws, and figuring out which charities get your money this year. (It makes sense, but it's complicated!)

So Tu B'Shvat is the holiday of trees and doing good things for other people. I thought it sounded right up your alley.

(And if you're curious, I celebrated by eating dried pineapple and making a donation to kiva.org.)

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's beautiful. Thanks for letting me know.

[flourish.livejournal.com]

*hugs you*

[rachet.livejournal.com]

http://www.neatorama.com/2007/03/21/10-most-magnificent-trees-in-the-world/

[malinaldarose.livejournal.com]

I am taking your advice on a Cheering Charm and working out the playlist for my first ever mix-CD. How's that?

[pameladean]

The rain is melting the ice away.

P.

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

Having surgery is, in a way, a good thing. Because you can get the problem fixed and healed. Knowing what's wrong means you know what to do to make it better rather than limping through your days. Knee surgery sucks, yes, but think of the end result. Plus, painkillers.

Would you like a CD? I can create a Special Nearly Spring Mix for Peg. Or perhaps a Supercool Knee Recovery Mix.

As to cheering you up, um... limericks?

There was a young man of Devizes
Whose balls were of different sizes.
The one was so small
It was no ball at all
But the other won several prizes!

Nymphomaniacal Jill
Used a dynamite stick for a thrill.
They found her vagina
In North Carolina
And bits of her tits in Brazil.

*bows*

No matter how tough things get, never lose your sense of humor.

[chelsearoad.livejournal.com]

I chose my avatar as an attempt to make you smile.

Think sunshine. Think get well gifts. Think time off for good behavior.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

For all the people who come up with something good here, there will be others reading it and wishing you well but not feeling articulate or specific about it. That seems like a good thing to me.

Also, this world came with elephants pre-installed by the time we arrived. I like elephants.

[sraun]

And I'm one of them!

[kerri]

*sends lots of hugs* It may be a cliche, but I've found it's true - things only go down for so long before they start back up again. I hope it happens soon for you and your family, I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[(Anonymous)]

All shall be well and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well. Dame Julian of Norwich.
I don't mean to be flippant but sometimes I need to hear these words. Perhaps you need them too right now.
Francene (from Facebook)

[dichroic.livejournal.com]

It's her other words that comfort me, though: "He said not 'Thou shalt not be tempested, thou shalt not be travailed, thou shalt not be dis-eased'; but he said, 'Thou shalt not be overcome.' "

I have trouble with them logically given the history since her time, of plague and fire nad war and genocide, but I stll find comfort in those words.

[magentamn.livejournal.com]

I'm Thinking Strong Thoughts that what's wrong with your knee doesn't require surgery, and heals quickly.

[davidwilford.livejournal.com]

Don't know if you've heard about this, but it might be useful:

Special State Emergency Unemployment Compensation (http://www.uimn.org/ui/extension_state.htm)

Governor Pawlenty signed into law a bill providing for extended unemployment benefits for those who are not eligible for the Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC).

These State extended benefits are available beginning the week of February 1, 2009. Applicants who are not eligible for the Federal EUC may begin applying for the Special State benefits on Monday, February 2, 2009.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'll ask Rob to check it out.

[merimask.livejournal.com]

*hug* I'm so sorry.

Something to cheer you up. My sister wrote this when she was 18. She is not now, nor ever will be, a game show hostess. It's called "I Want To Be A Game Show Hostess"

I want to be a Game Show Hostess.
Oh, the contestants I will inspire!
I'll point to prizes all day long.
My arms will never tire.

Now, "Wheel of Fortune" and "Price is Right"
have "Barker's Beauties" and Vanna White;
but, I know the difference 'tween a vacuum and a "canner"
and I'll always point to prizes in a calm and pleasing manner:

A Water Bed!
A new Wet Bar!
Ten thousand bucks!!
A BRAAAAND NEW CAR!!!!!

If the clock runs out
and you haven't a clue...
I'll pout and stomp and say,
"Oh poo!"

...but if you win that fabulous prize,
you'll see a glimmer in my eyes.
You'll see a smile upon my face
and not a hair will be out of place.

Oh God! I want to be a Game Show Hostess!!!!

[aberforths-goat.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to sympathize on your knee stuff for a while - but right now I'm even more delighted to hear that you got it looked at properly!

I managed to partially rupture something in my right knee early last summer, and I kept telling myself not to be a wimp, play through a little pain and let it heal on its own ... When I finally got it checked out around Christmas, it seemed to be too late to do much in the way of surgery. I'm doing physio, but it's looking like the problem could be here to stay. Not much fun for sprinter ... But you DID get it in time, and you're going to have a good knee again, even if it takes a while.

Are there some parts of your game you could work on without stressing that knee? My legs - and speed - have always been my biggest asset in sports, but I'm realizing that this is the perfect chance to improve my upper body. (Not sure what to do with said improvements, but still ... !)

Oh yeah - and: a few years ago, in one of those completely rotten no-money/lost-job/lost-housing/new-born-baby situations, someone gave me some advice I didn't want. He looked me deep in the eye and said God always provides, even if we don't know how or when. He was a local architect and came from a very wealthy family (of local architects) and had never had a major setback in his life. He was, in general, a prick. And the pep talk came in response to my asking whether he would help us look for inexpensive housing. I don't think he ever realized how close he came to getting an ice pick in the back of his skull.

That said, he DID turn out to be right. And I guess I really do believe in the God provides thing. And I guess I'd like to pass the same message on to you. But I'd like to be less of a prick, if possible. ;-)

[naomikritzer]

I had a meniscal tear, years ago, and had to have surgery for it. It was done arthroscopically, and the pain was gone as soon as I woke up from the anaesthesia. My knee was stiff for a day, and it was back to pre-injury levels of normal within about 48 hours. (I have since developed other, unrelated knee problems.)

[naomikritzer]

(Other, unrelated knee problems that ironically enough, are properly treated with pelvic-stability exercises like the ones the PT had you doing.)

I've had surgery a couple of times (appendectomy, wisdom tooth extraction, the knee surgery) and the knee one was by far the fastest recovery and least pain.

[moony]

Kittens are still cute.

And so are they:

[tigergladys.livejournal.com]

http://www.urbanpug.com/?p=526