In our lives, we all experience setbacks; whether it be to goal attainment, our health, our finances or at our work places.

If we allow the negative energy from these setbacks to overwhelm us, they might very well result in failures to varying degrees.

However; though they might not be “blessings in disguise”, we can certainly analyze our experience, identify the negatives and turn them into positives. It will make us better, stronger and less likely to experience the same negative fallout.

Some of us have worked hard in our lives only to find ourselves at the bottom of the pile, when the plan was designed to get us to the top. Had we succumbed to the negative impacts, we would have stayed there; never realizing that we could fix what was wrong and continue our journey to the top. In effect; we simply gave up.

Maybe, we ran out of patience. Maybe, we ran out of money. Maybe, we ran out of people willing to support us. For whatever the reason, we allowed a bump in the road to end our journey well ahead of our final destination.

I can think back to MANY circumstances where I could have chosen to stay at the bottom; comfortable in knowing that I could produce a wealth of excuses to remain there. It was easier to feel sorry for myself than to fix a problem that would send me towards the top once again.

Earlier this week, I was met with another setback; one of a medical nature.

Some of you know that I have had my knees surgically replaced with joint prosthetics. They have worked flawlessly since my rehab. Though I have to be constantly mindful of little things that could cause me major problems, such as wet floors and extension cords, I have managed to enjoy a rebirth of activities that would not have been possible without the surgeries.

I fell while going down stairs and hypo-extended my left knee. I had to lie on the ground for about 20 minutes before I could even think about getting up. It was very embarrassing having several people standing around me not knowing what to do.

I toyed with the idea of going to the Emergency Room, but they would have given me something for pain and told me to see my orthopedic surgeon, so didn’t go.

Now; the orthopedic surgeon who replaced my knees has since retired, so I was meeting the guy that took his place for the first time. We connected as soon as he told me that I was an orthopedic “celebrity” at his office. In fact; he had been on the research team that developed the poly-ethylene parts that were in my knees! Small world, huh?

After several X-rays, I was returned to the exam room and he came in. Here is where it gets weird, but stay with me.

When you have a normal knee joint, unfettered with man-made parts; if you injure your knee and it makes a “clicking” sound, THAT is bad!

On the other hand, if you have a man-made knee joint and it “clicks”, THAT is good! Are you following me, camera guy?

So; if you have a man-made joint and it DOESN’T “click”, that, too is bad. My left knee didn’t “click”. Bad, bad, bad…

He diagnosed it as a very serious sprain of the medial collateral ligament. In order for it to heal, he would have to put me into a fixed brace and be completely non-weight bearing for the next six weeks.

What’s that mean, Doc? I can’t be on the leg at all?

That’s correct, Art. You will be on crutches for six weeks, because if the ligament isn’t healed after that time, I may have to go in and replace the joint with one that is hinged and will replace the stability of the MCL. It’s crucial that you stay off of that leg to give the ligament a chance to heal. And use lots of ice, said the good doctor.

After THAT sunk in and I had had a moment to myself, I realized that this was serious and I couldn’t mess around with a doctor’s advice like I had in the past. I mean; I was already trying to figure out a way that I could ride my motorcycle and play golf this fall. THIS is my favorite time of the year for both! Not to mention, no fall yard-work, cleaning the eaves, clearing off the garden or even taking Chopper for a walk. Do you know how worthless you feel when you can’t even let the dog out to do his business? Ah, but I will figure out a way and without violating my doctor’s orders.

Yeah; for a moment at the doctor’s office, I got to feeling sorry for myself, because I honestly felt that after my THIRTEENTH knee surgery, I was done with knee problems. And I kept dwelling on “what ifs”, instead of thinking about strengthening my knee and the rest of my body for that matter. I had a good cry and then my determination that has gotten me from the bottom of the pile time and time again came back.

So; I will use this latest episode in my life to strengthen my character and to strengthen my resolve. I will help others faced with similar circumstances. We are never alone and even when we give up on ourselves, there are those who know us who won’t give up. “Those’ are the ones we owe it to. They are giving us something at a time when we aren’t so sure that WE have anything to give.

I’m positive that this will all work out in the end.

TCSS.

The article as submitted is published under The Adventures of Jake and Vinnie© umbrella and is the intellectual property of Art Goodrich a.k.a. ChiefReason. It is protected by federal copyright laws and cannot be re-printed in any form without expressed permission from the author. You may read other works by the author at www.chiefreasonart.com.