Life: The Knee Backstory

Saturday July 19, Milwaukee, WI.

I had just enthusiastically stepped out of a Tesla, heading to pick up my work badge for the week. About 20 steps into the 100 yards journey across the plaza to the entrance to the place, it started raining.

“I’m close, lemme just make a run for it.”

And then I heard it pop. Left knee. I felt it too. And the rush of one’s entire nervous system switching on. Your own heartbeat in your ear.

A true moment of athleticism and grace, really. I stood there, holding my knee there wondering: “Can I even walk??

I limped myself along out of the rain to the nearest covered spot and gathered myself. No stranger to injuries, I knew the protocol I needed to activate right away: Ibuprophen, ice, elevate, rest.

Not at all the Leo Season kick off I was expecting, but in a true moment of athleticism and grace, I kept myself together.

Out of the rain, it took me less than 5 minutes to process what was going on and reset. My nervous system to healing mode, like an F1 driver turning on the battery boost. My mind to the present moment, to take it one step at a time. And my heart to the reassurance I deeply need, to be where I am, as exactly I need to be.

I keep it together. In the greatest fear I have: losing my mobility.

I would finish the week in Milwaukee with some adjustments to my activities and plans, come back for a weekend of rest at home in Reston (à propos) and face my disdain for the healthcare system to be at the first available appointment at Town Center Orthopaedics Monday morning.