OK, so as some of you know, I injured my right knee way back in the early 80's, while in the US Army. That makes my injury service connected, and makes me a "disabled veteran." The upside is that treatment for that condition is provided by the government for the rest of my life. The downside is that that treatment is usually provided by the VA. (Those of you familiar with the VA understand the previous statement.)

Well, here I am, 51 years old and 30 years post unrepaired ACL tear. Time for a right TKA, really can't put it off any longer. So, a couple of months ago, I began working on the Memphis VA to arrange to have the surgery done outside of the VA system. Long story short, after taking my case to the director of the VA, they have agreed to allow the surgery to be done outside the VA system.

On November 15, I'm going to Jackson Regional Hospital, and have Dr Bradford Wright replace the knee. Thought I'd be pretty nervous about the whole thing, but at this point, that's not the case. I remember a conversation I had with an Army orthopod in 85, when he told me I would eventually need this surgery. I asked him how I'd know when it was time, and he essentially said that when constant knee pain overrode my fear of the surgery, it would be time. He was right.