Tube for one

I’m a big weenie. 

In 1998, I had an abdominal mass.  I told my doctor, no MRI.  I’ll just die of whatever it is before you close the lid on the box.  He didn’t press.  (He didn’t want one either.)  Now they have improved them but I still don’t want one.

But my knee disagrees.  Two weeks ago it decided not to work anymore.  I have suffered with arthritis in my knees for years and years.  At times it is better and then it is worse.  A “big pill” (600 mg. ibuprofen) usually keeps it in line.  But two weeks ago, for no reason that I know of, it just stopped working.  And it was my “good” knee.  Nothing I have done… rest, big pills, pain pills, ice, heat, IcyHot rub, knee brace…has changed it.  I was ready for the MRI if that’s what it takes.  Don’t care.  Close the box. 

Today I saw an orthopedist at Beaumont Bone and Joint.  A very nice man.  Very sympathetic and quite knowledgeable.   I’m getting an MRI on Thursday.  X-ray only shows bones, not whatever else is going on.  And something is.  OK, I’m old and fat.  But no older and fatter than I was two weeks ago.  So what happened?

Beaumont Bone and Joint is another story.  It is a very humbling place.  Everyone I saw was worse off than me, or so it appeared.  I felt very “suck it up, Nancy” but it hurts.  And these people treated me like I was just as hurty as everyone else.  And they handled matters with professional courtesy, compassion and speed. 

Turns out my head can stick out of the tube.  I can do this.  Yes, I can.  But still being a big weenie, I covet all the prayers and good vibes that you can spare.  As my friend, Margaret says, “when it’s you, it’s the only thing that matters.”