The surgery succeeded, the planned Germany trip got cancelled, and instead we drove to Niagara Falls. The kids were super upset that the trip did not happen. So we thought it was a good idea to do something fun for them. I spent most of that time in the hotel room or various restaurant booths with the elevated leg waiting for them. The indoor golf place was fun for them, but you gain perspective on what people with mobility issues go through if you do not have any seating options.

I have never felt so immobile, vulnerable, and useless in my life. I used to be the person who prayed for a home invasion, so I could make quick work of whoever came in. In the same way, I was never a Kata nerd in Karate. If a technique did not prove useful in sparring, self-defense, or kumite, I did not pay much attention. Now even the overall art may be at risk.

The entire exercise teaches you perspective. You realize how much you take for granted. I can only imagine what people with disabilities go through, and I am only two weeks in. I am unable to walk, and unable to use crutches properly. Stairs seem to be the biggest issue; there is no balance with the knee brace on. I actually have to bum my way up and down stairs, dragging the crutches along. With the bedroom on the second floor, opening the door for delivery people or neighbours becomes an odyssey. The same way, mobility with the car is a problem. With the knee locked straight, forget driving, and also forget front row passenger seats. I have to slide in sideways from the back seat. Playing Tetris with how to position myself and my legs in the back seat.

The other issue is hygiene. You are not allowed to make the surgical wound wet or contaminate the bandage. I figured out how to hop on my good knee in the shower, while the bad side is protected with plastic food wrap and duct-taped into place. At least I am fairly lucky with pain control. I bummed my way into my home office and dragged my workstation in front of the bed. I try to work between icing sessions and elevation, but I am not productive.

Social media becomes a dark spot when you are injured, and you follow too many martial artists and fitness folks. I rigorously bookmarked videos of Bunkai, Kihon drills, and other clips that would be useful for self-practice or teaching. You spend hours looking at people doing things you cannot do right now.

Ok, enough sulking, I need a distraction. It turns out that RGG released a new game last year in the Yakuza series. You may laugh, but the stories of struggle and redemption are fairly deep; they resonate. I picked up the series almost a decade ago to find something fun to sharpen Japanese skills (the old games at best had English subtitles, not a full dub track like the new versions). I play it in Japanese to foster my language skills and not feel totally useless. It is a good distraction from the mess and the pain. This game was made by middle-aged guys for middle-aged guys…

Published: 2025-04-26
Updated  : 2025-10-04
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