Knee surgery, crutches, and 40 years

When I was in high school, I had 3 surgeries on my knees.  I spent almost 2 years in either a knee brace, a full-leg cast, or some kind of a bandage dressing thingy....all of which prevented me from bending my knee, for a long time.  I remember my parents having to drive me to Physical Therapy, doing exercises to build my muscles back-up which had seriously atrophied, and wearing a TENS unit-which was to help relieve the pain by sending little electric shocks from my knee to my brain ( and yes this was as much fun as you think).

I didn't learn to drive until I was almost 20...it's tough to pass a Driver's test, when you can't bend your knee enough to be able to sit in the driver's seat, let alone be able to push important pedals, like the brakes...they typically frown on giving folks driver's licenses when you can't do those things, although lately I've begun to wonder where their standards went, but I digress.....

I've had Doctors tell me that I couldn't wear high heels (which really isn't good news when you're only 5'4" and weigh abit more than you should-heels would give the illusion of being taller and thinner(or so I thought), shouldn't dance, and activities like skiing and jogging are out. The no jogging thing was pretty okay with me to be completely honest here, but the rest was sort of depressing. I went from being a teenager to feeling like I had aged 40 years...

So now here I am 40 years older and guess what..... I've just had knee surgery. The bandage dressing thingy hasn't changed, crutches are still crutches (although they are nice and shiny and metal now-no longer the good ole wood variety), and I couldn't bend my knee for 5 days. Sigh..... And even though I have my Driver's License, I can't drive right now, because I can't push the clutch or the brake pedal enough to either put the car in gear or stop the car when necessary.

I don't mean to complain here. I mean I know I did wear high heels for awhile (I couldn't help myself), but I didn't take any dance classes ( & I really wanted to), and I've also never gone skiing (not too upset about this one-it left me more money for fabric and really cool threads-not to mention my Bernina!!!!!) It's just that I once again feel like I'm 40 years older...and that's just downright disgusting, frustrating, and any other word that means crap, %$^*), or @#%$^.

I am doing my exercises, beginning to use only 1 crutch when I'm home to help me get back on both legs quicker, and elevating my leg while I'm sitting. I'm trying not to act or feel, like I'm 40 years older than I am, but when I look in the mirror and see so many gray hairs, plus crutches, it's a tough image to overcome.

So, here's what I think I'm going to do.....I'm gonna get my hair cut in a cool and funky style and remember that, just like in high school, I will get my leg back. I just have to be patient........Now, where is that DSW Shoe Wearhouse catalog...I think a pair of red high heels would be just the thing to make this 40 something feel a little better.......