As I mentioned in Friday’s post, Sampson’s X-rays looked good.  The surgeon felt his Psoas muscle and Sampson turned around quickly, which indicated the muscle was tender.  The surgeon placed Sampson on some Gabapentin and wants to recheck him in two weeks.  He’s not ruling out a meniscus injury, but he wants to try the Gaba and see if it works.  I dropped Sampson’s walks down to about 15 minutes twice a day and am going to try and fit some cavaletti’s in when I can.   

On Saturday Sampson had his Physical Therapy and I shared all of this with the therapist.  What I took from that visit is she feels because of the way Sampson is ‘loading his knee’ that it very well could be a meniscus injury and this tosses me right over the freaking edge.

The biggest issue is I don’t want him to have surgery again.  First off, the meniscus surgery means he will have bone touching bone, which I think must be very painful.  I mean, they replace people’s knees when that happens, right?

Also, we are seven weeks into a twelve week strict limitations recovery.  In two weeks we will be three weeks away from (hopefully) having some restrictions lifted and Sampson getting back to enjoying more of his life.  If surgery is suggested it will probably be scheduled within a week or two, which puts us right on the verge of finished.

The therapist says that some dogs have the meniscus surgery and turn the corner and recover quickly, but how do I know that will be Sampson?  How do you know it’s the right thing to do?

But the bigger question is How.  HOW can I put him through this again?  How can I ask him to start over?

Oh Mama, you are such a worry wart.  Don’t cross the worry bridge until you have to.

I’ve been struggling with this since Saturday and Saturday night I decided I’m putting my faith in a higher power.  I know some people do not believe in God, and I’m not here to sell you differently, if you believe awesome and if you don’t, we’re still cool.  But I believe.   And I believe in the power of prayer and the power of positive thinking.  So every night when Sampson and I lay down to sleep, I lay my hand across his leg and I pray for healing.   If you believe in the power of prayer, I sure would appreciate you keeping Sampson in yours.

Do any of you have any experience with a dog having ACL surgery and then needing meniscus surgery?  Or have any of your dogs had meniscus surgery?  If any of you can share your experiences, I’d certainly appreciate it.