Session 8 -- it's too early to tell, but soon

So I walk in with the biggest of grins into the doctor's office. What's the big smile for? he asks. Isn't it needles today? Yes, it is, I confirm. The big smile is to mask my palpable sense of fear. He asks me how I'm doing. I tell him I'm fine, as far as I can tell from not walking or going anywhere and staying put in the house as much as possible for as long as possible. I think it's stronger. The swelling is still there, but when I tighten my leg in full extension, it doesn't look too bad compared to the right knee and right leg. Now remember, the right knee is scarred from ACL resconstruction 17 years ago. So basically, you're looking at two pretty shoddy knees, all said and done.

What day of treatment is this, he asks as he consults the file. I say, day 8 today. Too early to do a strength test to see if you've started rebuilding the ACL. We'll have to wait for at least 10 days. Day after tomorrow? I ask, somewhat excited, incredulous, anxious, hopeful yet not wanting to hope too much. Yes, he replies, before 10 days there's no point. Cool. And now, why don't you just bring on the needles and pain.

The entrance to Sharnam Clinic, up one flight

And he does. This time, the rotation of fingers takes me back to the ring finger on the left hand (it's always on the left hand). I think he puts only about 8-10, of which 3 hurt a lot. For all the others, I whinge and whine expecting a lot of pain. When there is actually a painful sensation, I make sounds of resentment, like, "whAAAT THE F@*#&!!! Then I apologize. Then when it's over, I say thanks and sheepishly head out of his office.

Well, Thursday or Friday might prove to be interesting. I'll get a sense of whether anything is having an effect or what. I am walking a bit straighter now, following Lochan's advice on how to walk. But since I'm not really walking anywhere, it's hard to say if I've gotten over my fear of ACL absence which forced me to limp in the first place. Anyway, like I said earlier, this is a patience game and as such, it's not even that bad a wait. 15-20 days to heal the ACL is pretty ridiculous or amazing, or both, or neither if it doesn't heal at all.

Time reveals all mysteries but waits for no one.