To give you an opportunity to see what's new, and what has changed, we have taken the paywall down temporarily.
Currently, there is no need to log into the site.
We will provide instructions for creating new account and resetting passwords when the paywall is turned back on.
LoftisI’ll be taking some time off soon, but it won’t be a vacation. After putting it off for more than a decade, I’ll be having knee replacement surgery on Tuesday, Aug. 23.
Dr. Kris Hanby will perform my surgery at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville. In fact, if all goes well with surgery on my left knee, my plan is to have the right one replaced by the end of the year.
I’ve battled osteoarthritis for so long now that I don’t really recall a time when I didn’t walk with a bit of a limp. My knee trouble started probably 20 years ago when I stepped in a hole while pushing a lawnmower. I twisted my knee and tore the meniscus. I did have that surgically repaired but my knee has never been the same.
It got worse about eight years ago when I woke up one morning and couldn’t put any weight on my left leg. That had been my “good” knee but not anymore. It got a little better but I still can’t bend that knee when I walk.
I’m not entirely sure what to expect after surgery. In doing some online research, it seems some people take four weeks or more off work after a knee replacement. I’m planning to take four days, and I’m nervous about even doing that. There’s work to do and people expect a newspaper each week. The good news is we have a great staff and if I have to, I can get a lot done from my home office. My wife, Lisa, is taking some time off to take care of me and my younger son, Ryan, said he can help out once Lisa returns to work.
About 10 days after my surgery, my older son, Ronnie, will officially graduate from Officer Candidate School and be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army National Guard. There’s a ceremony at the Arkansas State Capitol, and I’ll be there even if I can’t walk.
Ultimately, the goal is to be limp-free and pain-free. It may be uncomfortable for a while, but I believe I can tolerate a little discomfort now in order to get around better in the future.
••• Scott Loftis is editor and publisher of the Carroll County News. His email address is SLoftis@CarrollCoNews.com.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here