Thursday, August 30, 2007
My name is Kerry and I was diagnosed with degenerative osteoarthritis, in the spring of 2006. I was only 42 at the time and was not surprised at all by what the doctor told me. I lived in pain, there were days I could barely walk upstairs to my bedroom, bathroom, etc. I would cry myself to sleep. I tried to hold off on surgery but it just got worse. So on November 17th, 2006 I had a right total knee replacement and on June 27th, 2007 I had a left total knee replacement. I'm still going through physical therapy 3 days a week for about 2 hours at a time. I've had a great orthopedic doctor and therapist as well. They push me but I know it's for my benefit. When I think I can't take the pain anymore I realize I can and in the long run it's going to help me. My weight has not helped me with this diagnosis, but the injuries and the life style I grew up with i'm sure attributed to it just as much. I fell down the stairs several times, I fell off a chair because the knee gave out, slipped on the front steps because of black ice. I grew up washing and waxing the floors and stairs on my hands and knees. Things will get better I know. My goal is to get some weight off and keep it off. I've applied for Social Security Disability and I was denied, I appealed it and once again I was denied. So now I've obtained a lawyer to help me get some action. They denial letter somehow states that I can stand for up to 3 hours, I can barely stand for an hour cleaning house and I'm done in. They say I should be able to crawl, kneel, squat. I have no idea where they're getting their information from, but I cannot do any of those things. Maybe in a few years but not right now. I'm not giving up and I don't recommend anyone should. Fight your battle.
