22 Comments
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Miramartian's avatar

Commiserations on the knee pain. I eventually had surgery on mine, on ACC. Mine was a wine-related accident with pre-existing osteoarthritis, quite a hideous amount of pain as part of the patella disintegrated. Also a stoic, I tolerated the pain for far too long. I no longer drink lol.

Love the paintings and I recognise the yellow front door of another writer I admire, and miss.

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Alan Doak's avatar

Well, I can't blame alcohol for my injury - I stopped drinking 6 years ago. Glad you got it sorted. And yes, you recognised the door, and like you, I miss her stories! ❤️

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Vanessa Glennie's avatar

Alan - I thought I saw you at the Writers Festival! I was dashing out the door to meet a friend and thought that man on crutches looks like Alan…doh. Such a great weekend, sorry you were hobbling through it. Hope you’re skipping about pain free very soon.

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Alan Doak's avatar

OMG, I thought it was you. To be honest, I wasn't feeling the greatest and you were totally out of context 🤣. We should have said hello to each other. I hope you saw some good authors.

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jb's avatar

Hope you don’t need (sorry abt the pun…) surgery…

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jb's avatar

And I hope fixing it doesn’t involve kneedles…

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Alan Doak's avatar

No kneed to apologise 🤣

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jb's avatar

Kneedless to say, you have my sympathy

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Rosie Whinray's avatar

My friend Mary calls the conversation that happens when her mates (she's in her late 60s) get together an 'organ recital'. And yeah my Dad's bestie uses the same metaphor as you (they're both in their mid 70s)-- Sniper's Alley...

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Alan Doak's avatar

'Organ recital' is a great phrase. Old friends are gathering at ours this weekend. I may suggest we adopt it! 🤣

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Robin Capper's avatar

All the best for the knee, and congratulations Arlo!

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Alan Doak's avatar

Thanks Robin!

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Caryl Forrest's avatar

I so understand your knee pain. I've had a six-year journey with patella femoral osteoarthritis that had me hobbling around in constant pain.

"Knee replacements" said my physio and GP. I was referred. 13 months later I made it to the top of the waiting list. The orthopedic surgeon said I was too young.

He prescribed Celebrex, a different variety of anti inflammatory with omaprazole to protect my stomach.

The effect has been magical. The pain has largely disappeared and I'm no longer crippled. After being in pain for so long I'm immensely grateful for being able to walk briskly again.

My orthopod said a lot of GPs don't know about the effectiveness of Celebrex. Yours might be a different situation, but it may be worth a try.

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Alan Doak's avatar

I tried Celebrex when I was 'gifted' some from a concerned friend. Didn't make a blind bit of difference, but I know that it was very effective for her. Different strokes for different folks eh? The body can be a confounding piece of equipment.

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Caryl Forrest's avatar

Sorry my suggestion has already been eliminated. And I don't know what particular knee problem you have, so I shouldn't have jumped in with a suggestion. I do hope you get a referral to a good orthopedic surgeon - GPs struggle with muscular-skeletal issues.

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Alan Doak's avatar

No one else seems to know what my problem is either. I honestly think it'll just go away on its own accord. But that doesn't fill me with confidence if I decide to do another long walk somewhere far, far away. 😥

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Mark Cubey's avatar

That sucks, Alan. The only good Chronic is the album by Dr Dre (and what it references). I was talking about sniper’s alley just yesterday… keep your chin up til you get the result that lets you have a knees up.

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Alan Doak's avatar

Thanks Mark!

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jb's avatar

In DE, it goes straight from X-ray to MRI, appointment within a couple of days (200k population city) paid for by 15% of your salary (employer pays 50%) and capped at 10% above average salary. Includes dental.

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Alan Doak's avatar

If only that were the case here. Apparently, if the ultrasound doesn't show anything, MRI is the next step forward (excuse the pun).

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Nicola Francis's avatar

My heart goes out to you, Alan. Yeah, how we take good health for granted until we’re suddenly suffering. I’m glad you’re starting to feel a bit better. Long may that continue.

Congratulations to Arlo on his graduation! I imagine he was over the moon that you were able to celebrate with him despite your pain.

Your house drawings look lovely. I’ll check out your website.

Keep getting better. 💐

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Alan Doak's avatar

Thanks so much Nicola. My better half just went to see my physio about her own aches and pains, and he said to Linda that I was off the scale in stoicism. Which probably isn't helpful when it comes to a health professional trying to help me. I'm sure it'll come right!

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