Lessons From My Left Knee

bernie kirwan
9 hours ago
2 min read

**I love the last verse. Some days my body feels old and weary but I still take it with me and sing !!**

So, following on from my last post, all my desperate Uri Geller–style psychic knee-bending attempts did absolutely nothing. Not a wiggle. Not a whisper. The knee remained stubborn, locked, and basically behaving like a concrete block.

But! Good news at last. I had a manipulation under anaesthetic on Monday, which I was dreading but it was grand . Of course I was nicely sedated for the procedure and the main thing was I had very little after pain . It has really improved things for me

Who knew adhesions could glue themselves together like overcooked spaghetti? Apparently while I was asleep, the surgeon gave my leg a good wrestle, snapped all the sticky bits, and honestly… the result feels magical. I can finally bend my knee like an actual human again. Still a long way to go, but now at least I’m not just suffering in theory — there’s progress!

Did I tell you that I beginning to get sick of my knee and I think my family are a bit sick of my knee too. There's no getting away from it though but it could be worse. We're off on a nice little mini break next week ;pts of nice pampering and of course the prescribed exercises will continue .

Things I’m learning — from my left knee :

Don’t compare. Everyone else’s knees are liars anyway.
Celebrate the small wins — like bending your leg 3 millimetres more than yesterday.
Be careful who you ask for advice. Some people love to diagnose you more than they love their own families.
Don’t listen to unsolicited opinions. If I didn’t ask, keep it in your pocket.
Wallow if you want but don't forget to come out of said wallow
Embrace the hibernation — bears do it and they’re thriving.
Do the flippin’ exercises. Yes, even when you’d rather wallow .
Start every day with gratitude, even if you feel like sh##te.
Slap on the makeup, even if you still feel like sh###e — at least you’ll look alive while you complain. [I saw myself iin the mirror the other day minus make up and gave myself a hell of a fright.] I actually think mirrors should be banned.
Find the tiny moments of joy — a cup of tea, a cosy blanket, a bendy-ish knee.
Embrace the dark, wet evenings. Mood lighting for free.
And say thank you to those near and dear — especially the ones who tolerate your “I swear this is the last moan” speeches.