The results are in & they're not good

I went to see the new Worker's Comp. Dr. yesterday to get the results of the MRI I had on Tuesday. He confirmed what I knew all along, I won't be returning to work as a Firefighter/EMT. I have cartilage damage that is rapidly deteriorating. I have areas on the inside and outside parts of the knee that is considered a class3 almost a class4. A class4 is shiny bone on shiny bone and a knee replacement is in the near future. This explains all the pain I've been having.....

I stopped by work to let the power's that be know; and of course they weren't in. But Cindy (the Chief's secretary) notified the assistant Chief so she was able to start the process of medically retiring me. It could take anywhere from 1 month to a year to out process me. With my luck it will be closer to a year! LOL You know how my luck runs!

I can't express how I feel about having to leave a job that I dearly love. Being able to help people when they truly need it is so rewarding and such a great feeling. BUT, I have been very blessed (and I don't say that lightly) in that I have been able to have a job that I LOVE for the past 13 years. I don't know very many people who can truly say that, aside from those that I work with. I will miss the job however it is time to move on to something else....not sure what that is but when God closes one door he opens another.

On a brighter note my oldest son has asked his girlfriend to marry him!! She said yes of course! He leaves for basic training in less than a week. I think they will get married after he's done with all his training. I really like Melissa, they've been together all through high school. You can tell they really are in love, I just hope it works out for them.

I'll post again, when I know something.

A Big Thanks To My Friends

I just wanted to thank all my friends for being there while I've been laid up, so to speak, with my knee. Mom, you've been great! I know you have your own knee problem to deal with and have had severe knee pain for years yet, you let me whine about mine. Deb, you've been a wonderful friend for listening to my worries and letting me cry on your shoulder many times. M-C, for the emails you've sent, they've really been appreciated! Dave, you've been really sweet. I know you've got your own worries going on, I hope things are smoothing out for you. April, wow!! For those that don't know, April sent me a Cricut as an early birthday/possible retirement gift. How generous can one get?! Again April thank you so much!!! Cindy, heehee you've sent me so many email funnies that have kept my spirits up, thank you.
I want to thank those who have been around ie: RCS members, and for those that haven't been around. I know there are those that have been unable to call or email have a life and that life gets in the way sometimes. Being a true friend is knowing that someone is going through something/a tough time and even if you can't be there physically for them you can be there for them in spirit and not getting your feeling hurt or your panties in a wad if you don't get a phone call from a friend when you think they should be calling. Perhaps they need you to call them, maybe they are so down and depressed they just can't muster up the energy to call. Call them up, even if you think they've slighted you, that's being a friend.
And now for my soapbox. If you don't want to read my rant, that's okay just skip it. I am so tired of hearing the put downs of Southerners and Arkansasans. I hear on a regular basis people putting us down. I have lived in 4 other states and visited many others; I have to tell you red-necks live in every state of the union, Arkansas hasn't cornered the market. While you are busy talking to me and putting down my state/county/city/school districts you are also putting me down. I don't appreciate it. Remember, I, for the most part, grew up here. If you don't like it here MOVE!!!! I'll bet you aren't happy anywhere you live. Just remember that you are putting down not just me but your husband/wife. Okay, stepping down off my soapbox now.
I will start posting the updates on my knee here, if you are interested. I'll also be posting some pictures of my family, furbabies, and hobbies. I also hope to learn how to customize this blog so I can make it mine and not a "cookie cutter" blog site. Have a great day!!!!