My Surgery Is Just Two Days Away

In just two days, I begin my path back toward normalcy. It will take time, but I know I will get there.

I’ll be able to go to New York and walk again without relying on elevators or cabs. I’ll be able to walk up and down stairs normally, something that has been nearly impossible since my left leg can’t bear weight on steps. I’ll be able to stand for more than a few minutes without searching for a chair. And it will no longer take ten minutes to make the short walk from my bedroom to the bathroom in the morning.

This meniscus tear has made me realize just how much we all take mobility for granted. Before this injury, I never gave much thought to what a gift it is to move freely and without pain.

When I first sustained the tear, the impact wasn’t nearly as severe. There was some discomfort, but nothing like what I’m experiencing now. Over the past few months, more and more activities slowly disappeared from my routine. First, I had to stop using the stair stepper. Then the treadmill. Then the elliptical. All the while, my limp became more pronounced. People began noticing and asking what happened.

I stopped going to the gym in December, and I truly miss it. But I will get back there. It may take a few months of physical therapy, but I know I’ll return stronger. My goal is simple: getting back to my 10,000 steps a day.

Even though I stopped going to the gym, I never stopped moving. I continued doing my own grocery shopping, often leaning on the cart for support. I kept preparing my dinners, even though I had to sit down frequently while cooking. And I continued physical therapy right up until surgery.

So I’m ready.

I’ll keep everyone posted on how things go on Tuesday. I’m feeling a mix of nerves and excitement—but mostly hope for the road ahead.

Surgery may fix the joint, but recovery is where the real work begins. I’m grateful that I took care of my health leading up to this moment because it gives me confidence that my body is ready to heal. Mobility is something we often take for granted until it’s taken away. This experience has reminded me how precious it is simply to walk, stand, and move freely. I know the road ahead will require patience, physical therapy, and determination—but step by step, I will get there.