An MRI of the knee.

This afternoon, I'm off to Cambridge City Hospital to get an MRI taken of my right knee. I've been putting this off for SIX years. But it's gotten to the point where I can no longer go for a nice walk without being in nagging pain for days afterwards. It used to be that I just couldn't run, jump, ride a bike or climb up or down large steps without using my hands. I also could not squat on the ground like a normal person does when their toddler runs up to give them a hug. I have to bend at the waist, twist around and sit on the ground with my butt. Then I have to figure out a way to get off the ground that doesn't involve me having to put weight on a bent knee. But now, I can't swim, hike or do anything that involves using my knees.

I'm sure this will mean knee surgery.

I am TERRIFIED of this. I hate hospitals and I have no idea how the mother of a small toddler can be off her feet for more than a day or so. But if I don't do anything, it will continue to get worse and any surgery I may need down the road will likely be more severe.

So, the first step is the MRI. The next step is the Orthopedic sports-medicine guy I get to see on Monday. My doctor likes him, so that's a good start. But I was once told, the only thing you need to have to be an Orthopedic surgeon is to be in the bottom 10% of your class and the ability to benchpress your own weight.

Sigh.