Ingram Chronicle
Vol. 2 No. 9
Well, it is time to tell of my latest experience with the field of medical science. I have just had some arthroscopic surgery of my left knee. I had torn the medial ligament of the left knee at the family gathering for the celebration of the birthdays of the three great-granddaughters in May. After hobbling through the summer of ’04, I went to see my personal physician, Dr. Roberto P. Garcia, who referred me to Dr. Gregory Peare, one of the local Yuma area Orthopedic Surgeons and a member of the Church. After having me examined by MRI and x-rays of the knee, he determined that I had actually torn the ligament. He would have to do a further arthroscopic examination and determine the extent of the necessary surgery, either to trim off the frayed edge of the ligament or to do some sewing of the torn pieces together. I was then subjected to a thorough coronary examination by Dr. Osman, including a stress test and I-139 scans to determine the extent of any possible coronary involvement that might preclude the necessary knee surgery—but the findings were that the old ticker would not be injured in any way by the procedure. To the surprise of my former students, the doctor did find that I actually had a heart.
I was processed at the outpatient center for the surgery on Wednesday, 10 November 2004, with Dr. Peare, surgeon, and Dr Chan, anesthesiologist. When I woke up, my leg was all wrapped up, with a drain connected to the interior of my knee. Gerry had the "honors" of being my care-taker, attending to the drain, feeding me, and seeing to my comfort. I was able to make the few steps from the bed to the bathroom, and an excursion down the hall to the living-room—while struggling to control the crutches—all I was allowed to do for the past few days—I even wasn’t allowed to go to Church on Sunday—although my presence was reported by a High Councilor, who thought that he’d seen me there! I would like to get back to the regular routine, but I may be slowed down for several more days.
I did get Gerry to bring me to the office on Tuesday evening—to observe my regular hours of operating the Employment Center, and Dr. Peare happened to be in the building—he's the junior High Councilor, and in charge of the annual High Priest Dinner for this year. He was surprised to see me but glad to see that I was able to negotiate my way without the crutches. I was also able to spend my regular time in the Family History Center (FHC) on Thursday morning, doing the usual things there. That afternoon, Gerry took me to Dr. Peare's office, where they removed the stitches from the arthroscopic incisions and showed us the images of the interior of the left knee, which they had taken with the arthroscopic camera. The staff said that I might try to start using the pick-up with the regular clutch and manual—the stick shift! They felt that I shouldn't try to overdo the driving bit—but that I should behave myself and be careful on the road. That evening I drove the Chrysler minivan out to AWC, where they were holding a Family Night, to let the various student groups, i.e., VICA, Student AWS, Broadcasting, Police Academy, Fire Academy, etc., show their expertise, and sell food and drinks as fund raising things. I found many of my old faculty and students enjoying themselves very much. I then drove in to the Stake Center to my office, to carry on my usual attempts to serve those needing employment center services.
The Stake people have been stringing some cables to connect my office computer with the high speed inter-net connection in the FHC, so that I might be better able to maintain the inter-net files for the Employment Center—rather than through the slow dial-up system that I am currently using. The Church moves on!
We are looking forward to seeing some of you over the Christmas Season--in the Salt Lake City area. I should be ready to travel anywhere I care to, as long as I take reasonable care of the knee. I am trying to not do anything involving my exerting a strong force with the knee for the next month or so. But the prognosis is good, with no real complications in view.
Love,
Dad