postop emotion

I remember sitting there thinking, "What is wrong with me?"Three weeks after my knee replacement, I was still stiff.Six weeks in and I was exhausted. Not the “I had a long day” kind of tired. The kind where your body just feels drained in a way that’s hard to explain.Two months in and sleep still wasn’t great.I kept telling myself the same thing over and over:I should be further by now. Shouldn’t I be closer to being healed?That thought had a way of snowballing. Then I started measuring seemingly everything.

If you’re facing knee replacement surgery, chances are you’ve already said the words: I’m terrified. I’m petrified. I’m scared out of my mind. Those are heavy words. And they’re real. The truth is, most of that fear comes down to one thing — the unknown.Nobody really prepares you for the mental and emotional side of this surgery. Your surgeon will tell you what the procedure involves. Your physical therapist will walk you through exercises. But who sits you down and says, “Hey, let’s talk about the fear you’re carrying”? That part usually gets skipped, and it’s exactly what most of us need the most.

You want to stay positive. You want to trust the process. But some days, the stillness gets loud.Surrender sounds nice — until you’re forced into it. Until everything feels slow and uncertain and you’re left asking God why this is taking so long.But somewhere in the middle of the waiting, something deeper starts to settle. That maybe you’re not doing this alone… 

You are literally repairing your body for the future. You are exactly where you should be today. You are not behind, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with you.I know it’s hard, especially during the holidays when everyone seems to be out at BBQs, fireworks shows, and get-togethers. But I want to remind you—this is the season to be the most mindful.