Over four years ago, I weighed 270 pounds. Then and now, I do not have anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) in either of my knees. Then I was experiencing severe and persistent pain in my left knee. My left knee is the one with multiple surgeries over several years. (Certainly a story for a separate blog post.) My physiologist, Dr. Richard Aptaker (Oakland Kaiser) recommended treatment with Synvisc instead of a total knee replacement. That was an easy decision.
Fast forward four years. I now weigh 135 pounds. I have been working out three times a week with a personal trainer for the past three months. I have been going on short runs in that same time period including runs around Lake Merritt and two 5k races at the end of June. It was no real surprise that my left knee was the one place on my body that hurt after running. Actually, I expected it. So, I did the next right thing... when in pain I used RICE = Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation and over the counter anti-inflammatory medications. Symptoms resolved.
Wanting the rest of my life to be the best of my life, I knew another visit with Dr. Aptaker should be in my near future. First step, email my PCP for a referral, check. Received the referral notice in one day with orders for xrays. Got the xrays that night, check. Call for an appointment with Dr. Aptaker, one week from the phone call, check. Received an email from my PCP with xray results... Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Arthritis of the Knee) in both knees, check.
The appointment was this morning. I was strangely excited to be simply seen by Dr. Aptaker because he had not seen me in the past four years. The smiling look of surprise on his face when he came into the examination room was worth the $35 copay... a little Health Care humor. :) We talked about my transformation and my fitness regime and my desire to run at this time in my life. Dr. Aptaker said he could understand I wanted to run as I have a runner's body... oh, somebody pinch me! When we looked at the xrays, especially my left knee it was very clear even to me that I am now a bicyclist*.
We spent some time talking about how our lives had changed since we last saw each other. Dr. Aptaker mentioned several minor aches and pains he acquired recently while sailing and other activities. I told him a bit about the genesis of my changes. He asked me to stay in touch and if the knee pain became severe and persistent again we could consider Cortisone or Synvisc at that time. Preventively, he suggested a Cortisone shot if I was going on vacation with plans to climb Manchu Pichu or to walk the Great Wall of China. I mentioned that Greece is next on my foreign travel list.
The office visit over, we both got up to leave the examination room. He turned to me to shake my hand and I met his eyes. Our hands already clasped, he pulled me into an embrace... it was more than a hug. When he let me go, still holding my hand, with tears just forming in his eyes, he said, "It's not often in 24 years of medicine, I've seen such a success story. Thank you, Lani."
As we walked into the hallway, I made it very clear to my physiologist and friend, Dr. Richard Aptaker... I would not be the person I am today without his care for his patients and his commitment to me four years ago. We both promised to keep in touch. I said I would be checking up on him and letting him know how I am. He smiled and once more, we hugged. Given the slightest chance, humans are amazing.
*Guided by the Universe months ago to purchase a Detour IE Step-Through pedal assist bicycle on sale almost one year ago.
Fast forward four years. I now weigh 135 pounds. I have been working out three times a week with a personal trainer for the past three months. I have been going on short runs in that same time period including runs around Lake Merritt and two 5k races at the end of June. It was no real surprise that my left knee was the one place on my body that hurt after running. Actually, I expected it. So, I did the next right thing... when in pain I used RICE = Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation and over the counter anti-inflammatory medications. Symptoms resolved.
Wanting the rest of my life to be the best of my life, I knew another visit with Dr. Aptaker should be in my near future. First step, email my PCP for a referral, check. Received the referral notice in one day with orders for xrays. Got the xrays that night, check. Call for an appointment with Dr. Aptaker, one week from the phone call, check. Received an email from my PCP with xray results... Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Arthritis of the Knee) in both knees, check.
The appointment was this morning. I was strangely excited to be simply seen by Dr. Aptaker because he had not seen me in the past four years. The smiling look of surprise on his face when he came into the examination room was worth the $35 copay... a little Health Care humor. :) We talked about my transformation and my fitness regime and my desire to run at this time in my life. Dr. Aptaker said he could understand I wanted to run as I have a runner's body... oh, somebody pinch me! When we looked at the xrays, especially my left knee it was very clear even to me that I am now a bicyclist*.
We spent some time talking about how our lives had changed since we last saw each other. Dr. Aptaker mentioned several minor aches and pains he acquired recently while sailing and other activities. I told him a bit about the genesis of my changes. He asked me to stay in touch and if the knee pain became severe and persistent again we could consider Cortisone or Synvisc at that time. Preventively, he suggested a Cortisone shot if I was going on vacation with plans to climb Manchu Pichu or to walk the Great Wall of China. I mentioned that Greece is next on my foreign travel list.
The office visit over, we both got up to leave the examination room. He turned to me to shake my hand and I met his eyes. Our hands already clasped, he pulled me into an embrace... it was more than a hug. When he let me go, still holding my hand, with tears just forming in his eyes, he said, "It's not often in 24 years of medicine, I've seen such a success story. Thank you, Lani."
As we walked into the hallway, I made it very clear to my physiologist and friend, Dr. Richard Aptaker... I would not be the person I am today without his care for his patients and his commitment to me four years ago. We both promised to keep in touch. I said I would be checking up on him and letting him know how I am. He smiled and once more, we hugged. Given the slightest chance, humans are amazing.
*Guided by the Universe months ago to purchase a Detour IE Step-Through pedal assist bicycle on sale almost one year ago.
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