Get up.

Sometimes life makes it way too easy to give up on something like this.  It throws you a curve ball, and erring on the side of caution is the easiest way to give up without admitting outright that you're doing just that.  Mind you, that's not the case in ALL situations, but man, it can make it easy.

Today, it would have been easy to sit back and let another day go by without going to the gym.  I'm pleased to say that hasn't been the case too often these days, but today would have been understandable (read: easy).

About 2 or so years ago, my left knee started to click.  Not just the odd click here and there, it's an audible snap every time I take a step. It's to the point where it's referred to as "the bell around my neck" because it's so loud, it's impossible to creep up on anyone. Lucky me, I get to hear it on both the outside AND the inside.  Plainly put: it's fucking gross.

I was referred to a new orthopedic surgeon while I still lived in London, and since it didn't hurt, he decided not to do anything about it for the time being.  This was after 6+ months of physiotherapy (my poor PT, she was totally stumped), of course.

Then, earlier this year, it started to hurt.  Not only was there pain, the repetitive snap grew louder and louder.  In April, I made the trip down to London to talk to my GP about it, and I was referred a new orthopedic surgeon closer to where I now live, and I was told to get a new set of Xrays so that the new doctor could compare them with the ones I had taken previously.

That was fine and dandy, except for one thing:  The new xrays came back completely clean.  None of the bi-compartmental osteoarthritis that had been there a year earlier, none of the patello-femoral issues.  Nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

My GP scratched her head and basically said "what the hell is up with THAT?!?", and I was immediately referred for an MRI to get to the bottom of things.  4 months later, I had the MRI and today I got the result.

There is, in fact, something wrong with my knee.  More than one thing, actually. Now it's tri-compartmental osteoarthritis, with a torn ACL thrown in for good measure. I feel less crazy, now.  I feel less stupid and worried that I was imagining everything.  I feel almost vindicated.

Now, the next wait will be to see a new orthopedic surgeon.  The dude I was referred to back in April still hasn't even booked my appointment.  Seriously.  Over 5 months to even get booked in?  Get over yourself, asshole.  I hope they can find me someone else, because I don't want to drag this out any longer than extremely necessary.

Even with all of this craziness today, even with a head and chest cold, I still went to the gym.  As I did, sick as a dog, on Friday and Saturday night. 

My point is: no matter what, get up.  Life's knocking the shit out of you?  Get up. GET. UP.   It's worth it.  You're worth it.  Just, get up.  Even when the easiest thing would be to lay down, get up. 

Trust me.

XO
LB