Will cockle-doodle do?

A rooster has sacrificed his comb so that I may more easily walk.

Let’s bow our heads in his honor for a moment.

Today I finally had my appointment with an orthopedist for my very painful knees. This is the doctor who is known to be very brusque in his manner, but very good as a surgeon. I personally do not want to have surgery. Ever.

I also don’t like to be in pain, and I also don’t like not being able to move around, sit up from a chair, walk up stairs, get down on the floor or chase after my grandkids. So, in to the doctor I went.

First they took updated x-rays. These show that my knees are almost bone on bone. Sounds horrible, doesn’t it? It does explain the pain. The little padding that is normally in between the top section of your leg and the bottom is nearly gone.

My family history for joint destruction would have predicted that I would have this trouble. My mom is the bionic woman. She has a hip replacement, both shoulders replaced, and  a knee replacement. She should have the other knee replaced, but it is too risky for her to have surgery. My father also had a lot of pain in his knees, but he never did anything about it. He endured it, as most good old Scandinavians would do. His mother had a knee replacement, and never walked again. She stayed in a wheel chair. I don’t think she ever did the therapy after the surgery.

Anyway, today they gave me a shot of fluid that is made from rooster combs into each knee. I must have two more shots in each knee over the next two weeks. I am also going to be doing physical therapy.

My sister is a physical therapist and believes that this will make all the difference for me. I hope so.

I wouldn’t want a rooster to have sacrificed his comb in vain.