If all else fails, cry

In order to find a picture of my doctor, pick up a dictionary and look up the word "slick". I think my jaw dropped a little when he entered the exam room. I was dressed in a sweaty t-shirt and shorts while this tall and handsome surgeon was wearing a well tailored tan summer suit with matching tie and cuff links. The whole look was topped off by his well gelled hairdo that would have made Elvis jealous. I will admit he was good looking enough to throw off my hearts and minds strategy but only at the beginning.

After so many surgeries he knows his stuff but I don't think we connected because like a true surgeon Dr. Slick practically pulled out a scalpel at the mere mention of "meniscus tear". To his credit he did try to offer me some reassuring phrases of, "I know what you are going through and I will do my best to help you". Thanks, Doc.

At the end of the visit he asked me if I was going to be okay and I responded with a short period of silence followed by tears. Oh yes, I cried. I don't think this guy has any children because I think I scared him. It was sorta comforting how he awkwardly tapped me on the shoulder and threw me a box of tissues. At least he tried but I still hold true to my belief that they remove the soul from each orthopaedic surgeon before they take the doctor's oath.

The one good thing that Dr. Hair Gel did was ask about the kind of traits I wanted in a physical therapist. I told him I wanted someone that was humble enough to admit they didn't know a whole lot about the mechanics of fencing, smart enough to learn and apply his skills, and nice enough to invest in a working relationship with a neurotic fencer (AKA: Me). And much to my delight, my physical therapist at the sports therapy clinic is all those things.

My first session with the physical therapist went really well and I feel very positive about his abilities. At some point in the conversation-two hours later-he said something about this rehabilitation being a long-term task and "our" goal was to get me performing at my best. It was nice to know that he was at least thinking about working as a team for the long-term. We spent a lot of time together going over exercises of course but he did spend a great deal of time trying to reassure me that everything was going to be okay.

Dr. Well Groomed hasn't gotten back to me about the MRI results, but from what Chris mentioned he doesn't seem to think it has anything to do with the meniscus. He thinks that a lot of this has to do with the changes I have made in my mechanics in order to compensate for my knee pain/surgeries. I've developed several compensations after three surgeries that are putting stresses in previously healthy areas. I have to spend time strengthening my quads and working to break myself of the bad habits. One of the most obvious compensation I've developed is not keeping my back straight while I lunge so that most of the stress goes to my gluts instead of my quads and knees.

It was good that something happened at the beginning to force me to get a physical therapist so I can prevent any major mishaps down the line. Although I wasn't entirely impressed with Dr. Scalpel Happy, I am glad he had the sense enough to put me with a good physical therapist.

Life has it's ups and downs and hopefully things are on an upward trajectory.

A shout out to my coach for trying to keep me in a happy mental place. She has been kind enough to put up with all my neuroses.