Knocked Out and On Drugs

Two weeks ago I was knocked out, cut open, then told to go home. I am recuperating nicely.

Okay, so I had knee surgery. Not too dramatic, but a happening nonetheless.

Had I not been knocked out—anesthetized—it would have been pretty painful, I know. Of course, the surgeon had to cut into the knee to remove the pieces of my shredded meniscus. And since it was a mere 40-minute outpatient procedure, where else would I go afterwards but home? Besides, the food’s better at my place.

I’ve gone from sleeping for most of the first two days, to not sleeping well at night (I weaned myself from the Percocet too soon and pain woke me up—I am back on a lesser drug), from crutches to a cane (now and then) to the start of physical therapy. Ouch. Why is it that the PT person thinks if she hooks you up to electrodes which zap your muscles (“Yes, I can feel that! The current’s hit the fillings in my teeth!”), then piles 20 pounds of ice on top of the pained knee for 15 minutes, this is supposed to help..?! (OK, so the swelling did go down a little…) Visions of Frankenstein floated in my head as I counted down the minutes. All that was missing was the thunder and storm outside. She had on the obligatory white coat.

There is a benefit to having surgery: lots of time to read! I have had to slow my pace, walk carefully, and sleep off the drugs. When awake, it’s time to dive into the pile of books by the bedside…or write on my laptop…and peruse hardbacks stacked near the recliner couch.

I discovered the debut novel by T.L. Hines, “Waking Lazarus.” (The title seemed to fit my predicament.) It’s amazing! I loved it—suspense, twists, mystery, and believable characters. With an unpredictable ending that had me analyzing the plot for hours after I’d closed the back cover. Published by Bethany House, the story takes place in Red Lodge, Montana. The main character, Jude Allman, has died and come back to life three times (I know, it seemed a bit far fetched to me, too, but trust me—it’s a great book). Children are disappearing from the community (…seems all too real in today’s world…) and Jude is pulled into the puzzle. In January, this book was named to Library Journal's 25 Best Genre Fiction Books of 2006 list. Read it. It’s great!

I also read "White Chocolate Moments" by Lori Wick (what better way to feel good when laid up, but through chocolate?) via Harvest House Publishers. In this case, the 11-year-old heroine’s parents have been killed in an auto accident and she is raised by her grandfather, a wealthy Chicago business tycoon. She turns 18 and runs away, tired of knocking heads with an insecure, whiney cousin—grandfather’s favorite grandchild. It’s the personal discovery, growth and love that develop which kept me turning the pages. Not a mystery, it’s a feel-good book—and heaven knows, I needed something to help me feel good! It’s a book I recommend for those in need of a smile.

These books combined with issues of Writer’s Digest, author Randy Ingermanson’s “Clean Up Your Act” writing teleseminar, and Elaine Marie Alphin’s “Creating Characters Kids Will Love” have satiated my appetite for the written word and improving the craft.

The housework calls, but it can wait (“Aw, honey, my knee hurts.”). It’s almost dinner time (“But I can’t stand that long at the stove…”) and the laundry piles up (“You can wear sweat pants to the office just one more day, can’t you?”).

Me, I’m content being able to read and write. This hobbled up knee stuff ain’t so bad. I think I look distinguished sporting a cane.

Wait…it must be the drugs talking. I’m not ready for a cane! Five more weeks of P.T. and I’ll be good as new!

“Turn up the power, nurse. And I’ll have another serving of ice.”