Session 17 - winding down

Went in for all the nice things today: Magnet machine, Electromagnet on the knee, exercise, currents, vibrating thingamajig, laser thingamajig. The doctor was away today so the clinic was really empty. There was a relaxed feel to the entire session, and seeing as it is most likely my last one, it was a nice way to wind down my experience at Dr. Jatin Chaudhry's clinic.

My MRI is scheduled for 10 am tomorrow morning. I'm anxious more than anything else. Lack of healing will necessitate surgery in a few months. So there is quite a lot at stake. The MRI technician asked me if I had any previous MRI (I do) and to bring it along so that he could compare the old one with the new one (I said sure).

But then at the clinic later this evening, Manoj told me: Don't tell them you had an MRI, don't show them anything, don't tell them anything about your condition. Let them come up with their MRI report without any help. I said, Uhmm...I already told the technician I do have an MRI and will bring it along. Manoj shook his head. Tell him you were confused, that it was an x-ray, that you know nothing about nothing.

Okay. Sure thing.

So, dear reader, if you've kept up this long, or perchance happened on this entry non-sequentially, then make sure you check out tomorrow's news--I am pretty sure I will have the report and Dr. Chaudhry's prognosis in hand to share with you.

Keeping 'em fingers crossed...

Session 16 - the end is in sight

Okay, today was needles, and I didn't shout. Figured I'd behave well for what's most likely my last needle session.

The doctor told me that I should come in tomorrow just for the regular non-needle treatment, and schedule an MRI for Friday morning, then come and talk to him later that day about the results and the follow up routine.

So, the really unique physiotherapy session in Delhi is almost at an end. I am feeling better than before. There is still swelling around the knee, but part of that must be leftover effusion, patellar bruising from my incident, and also from the torn MCL. The MCL, which was supposed to heal by itself anyhow given a window of 4-12 weeks, is still stiff and is also painful at times. Mild and bearable pain, just kind of the throbbing type.

Well, I remember how skeptical I was when I first heard about Dr. Jatin Chaudhry and his alternative healing method. Having been immersed in his process, it's been hard not to become a believer. It's reached the point where I'd be really shocked if there has been no ACL healing at all. I'd be very disappointed if there hasn't been enough healing to forestall reconstructive surgery. Looks like what I'm expecting is indeed the truly miraculous result of a reconnected ACL without a tear but one that needs 2-3 months more of caring and physical rehab for it to strengthen. That is, of course, the best case scenario for all ACL patients in the clinic. Right now there are 4 of us, and I am the first one up for the MRI scan and confirmation. Wish me luck!

Session 15 - Is there a doctor in the house?

The laser thingamajigs

Well, the doctor was away today, and I really missed not getting my needles. Seriously. All said and done, we know that that is where the magic resides. I didn't get any yesterday, was hoping to get them today, and then have a nice easy day tomorrow as I got greenlighted for the MRI day after.

So now the scenario looks more like go in and get needles tomorrow and hopefully get greenlighted for the MRI for day after.

The clinic was really deserted of its patients today. Perhaps they'd heard the doc was going to be away, I'm glad I went though, as I got my share of magnet machine, Electromagnet for the knee, exercises, accupressure vibrator, current pads, and laser thingamajigs. All nice and civilized, without me having to shout in pain at the sight of those tiny needles. It went off so smoothly that I felt compelled to ask one of the physiotherapists, "Excuse me, sir, would you happen to have any Grey Poupon?" (old silly ad tagline).

On the way back, I felt a tinge of nostalgia for this place and its people. I know my stint isn't over yet, but I realized I enjoyed the bonhomie at the clinic and its easygoing attitude.

There is always gold, if you know how to look.

Session 14

March 7, 2011

Well. this is two weeks up. So how do I feel? I feel much better than two weeks ago. That's for sure. The leg is stronger, the knee seems more stable. Nothing is near 100 percent, so who knows what's going on with the ligament. Only the MRI will reveal that truth.

So I ask the doctor when he thinks I should schedule my MRI. I notice that the first thing he jots down on my action sheet for the day is needles. Great, three days in a row. But, that's where the healing is, so better be happy. He looks up and says let's do a physical test today. Today too? I ask, we did one two days back. So he calls in Manoj and asks him for what the result of that test was. Manoj mutters a number. The doctor nods, seems satisfied and says that things are progressing.

The best part? he strikes out the needles for the day! Then he jots down the other treatment to be done and tells me that we'll do another physical on Wednesday, which would be day 16. Depending on the results of that one, I might be cleared for an MRI on Thursday itself. If not, then a day or two later.

So the moment of truth approaches. Two more days of treament for sure. It's coming up fast. I'm praying my ACL has been healing. I remember the words of the last MRI report, full partial to complete tear of the ACL. Full partial to complete tear of the MCL. I wonder what the next MRI report will disclose.

But there are procedures to be followed in the meanwhile.

Session 13 - a week to go, or less

So this is Sunday, and what have we done...

I went in spright and happy. The sun was out. Looked like winter had finally decided to leave Delhi alone. The sun was warm with an after hint of hot. I went through my routines, and then went towards the doctor's office when my name was called. To my dismay, I saw one of the ACL patients lying down on a bench with a bunch of needles in her finger! What?! I knew for a fact that she had been treated with needles yesterday, just as I had.

Could it be? Could it be a break in the one day on, one day off protocol? I found out very soon that yes, it could indeed be. The doctor even made fun of my whiny attitude towards the needles. I know, I know, no one else seems to mind or at least shout as much as I do. So poked with a bunch of needles in my middle finger this time, I went away to lay down for the prescribed thirty minutes.

Meanwhile, the guy whose turn it was to get his MRI done and bring in his report finally brought it in. He looked happy enough walking in the clinic carrying his MRI film, so I figured the news wasn't all bad. He had a complete tear before he started the treatment. And now? The radiologist said a bunch of things that were summarized by something to effect of "he has a posterior tear in ACL." Whatever that meant. We didn't know. The doctor would elucidate for him and the rest of us.

After the doctor saw the MRI, he said that you've got a thinly repaired ACL which will need care and attention and exercise for 3 months for it to become fully healed and regenerated. Sounded good to all of us. The bottomline was that the first MRI report unequivocally stated "complete tear of the ACL," whereas this one said a bunch of things but nowhere did it say "a complete tear."

So there is hope for the rest of us. Keep focused, keep taking the needles and the rest of the treatment. Then wait and see how much of the ACL seems to have reappeared. I guess each body heals differently, and also that age must be a factor, and I've crossed the four-oh. so let's see where that'll get me.

Right now, chances are pretty good that I will be doing treatment for 18 days (at least), and should most likely be scheduling an MRI for next Saturday. So that next Sunday, I can visit the doctor and get his verdict. Bottomest line: if this entire procedure allows me to get back to sports without surgery, it'll be beyond amazing!

Gotta keep the faith!!!

Session 12 - it's not as bad as before

Vibrating acupressure thingamajigs

At the end of today's session, Manoj did a superquick physical exam on my knee. I think it lasted all of 5 seconds. He flexed my leg and pulled upwards on the shin, the straightened my leg and pulled the shin gently away from the knee. Then he said, "You had a complete tear?" Yes, told him. "It's better than before." Perhaps he said "it's not as bad as before." Anyway, I didn't know how to react. I guess I was hoping for him to say something like, "wow! this is an amazing improvement!" or, "Incredible! I've never seen anything like it! Can I get your autograph?!" or, "It's a miracle! I believe!!!"

As it was, Manoj uttered what he had to utter and walked away without further ado. When I asked for more information, he said he couldn't pull/push hard on the knee so there isn't much more he can say at this point.  I just had to reconcile myself with the fact that hopefully there has been some improvement. What seems certain now is that it will be 18-20 treatments. Which means a whole bunch of needles more.

Speaking of which. today I got needles on the middle finger. They didn't hurt as much as previously. So either I'm getting used to it, or the doc didn't hit those little nerves that really hurt. Likely the latter. If so, this begs the no pain, no gain question. The next round, due on Monday, I'm sure will make up for this little lull. But while I was needled up, They put the vibrating accupressure thingamajigs under my arms, on the side of my torso, and then also gave me the laser treatment. It was like an all out assault, all stations active at once. Felt kind of good, I must say.

Today was Saturday, so it was a day session. I wonder if a day treatment has better energy to it than a night session.

How strongly will the sun be shining on me after day 20?

Session 11

No doctor in the house today--and I didn't have needles scheduled anyway. Just as well, I didn't lose any ground in this recovery process. I did all the other routines from yesterday and, because of the handheld laser machines being only two, and patients needing to be treated by it seeming to be over one million, the process took inordinately long.

Other than that, I'm going to keep this short and simple. Saturday is a morning session. So is Sunday. Tuesday is day 15.

When will my MRI day be?