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Praetorium Honoris

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Wait and See ...

OAFS Photo
As some of you may recall, I'm fighting with a bum knee. No, no, it's not like my knee is unemployed and shiftless, it's, like me, retired. But unlike my brain, I need it to function at full efficiency 24/7. I mean it's part of what keeps me upright, which I need lest I fall into sloth. (Okay, further into sloth ...)

Before I get into that, see the lead-in picture? It's my new internet box. On Thursday, when I still had two mostly functional knees (we'll get to that, patience) The Missus Herself remembered that she needed a new phone as she's going back to the homeland for a few weeks with her sisters, again. Not a problem, she's earned that right.

Anyhoo, after years of faithful service and being abused by grandkids ...



It was definitely time for a new phone. (Okay, the grandkids didn't treat her phone as badly as the chimp does that suitcase, but there were times ... Okay, it got dropped, a lot.)

So off to the AT&T store we went (that's our carrier, we've had them since they took over Cingular just after the last Ice Age) for to purchase a new communication device. (An Android, we don't do Apple, okay, The Missus Herself does have an iPad, but I don't like the way Apple does things. Sorry, it's a personal deficiency no doubt.)

Now at the store one of the chaps asked me who I used for my internet provider.

"Cox."

"Are you happy with them?"

"Happy is not a word I would use, let's just say that it's adequate and is better than the only other competitor in my wee town fast on Narragansett Bay."

Source
I looked at the lad and said, "I'm listening ..."

"It's high speed, up to a billion bps, and it's only $35. How much do you pay now?"

"Wow, $35? I pay a hundred right now."

One thing led to another and they convinced me to try it for a week, gratis. So I took it home, found that my AT&T internet speed was two to sometimes three times faster than Cox. And seriously, like my cell phone, I could theoretically take that box anywhere and have internet. Like my Mom's house. So, I'm a happy camper and Cox lost a customer. (Before you ask, I don't bundle, I do everything on my computer, everything.)

So that being said, the next day is when my right knee decided that he'd had enough of my bullshit and decided to go on strike. I literally could put no weight on it at all, hurt like bloody hell it did.

Was prescribed a week's treatment of Prednisone and here it is (Monday as I write) and I'm down to only using one crutch and that is very much a "just in case" kind of thing. In reality it was better on Sunday as well. My old boss was going to drive over from the other side of the bay, as she had a walker I could use. That's twenty miles as the crow flies, close to fifty miles by road. (That whole Narragansett Bay thing is in the way, gotta go around it, through Providence, which is its own special hell right now due to bridge work.)

I called her while having my coffee and said, "Skip it, thanks but I can walk pretty good now on crutches."

Sunday down to one crutch, Monday I keep it with me, but can walk without it. Yeah, it hurts, which is why I still use the crutch. Doesn't hurt at all if I take the weight off the knee.

A nurse called me up on Sunday to inquire as to the health of said knee, I told her that it was much better. She asked if I wanted to see the orthopedics doc soon, or ...

I said that I'd wait, explained how The Missus Herself was going to be out of town, so any procedure requiring someone to drive me there and back was right out until the fall. She said, "Well, if the pain is under control and you can walk on it, let's play wait and see."

So I'm waiting.

And we shall see ...



24 comments:

  1. Encouraging to read there's been some improvement on your knee situation Sarge, you and The Missus Herself are in the prayer rotation because of your knee warranty expiring and her traveling.........:) Yay on saving some ducats also!

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  2. Thanks for the update, I was wondering about it but was hesitant to ask

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    Replies
    1. He who hesitates is lost, unless you're a second lieutenant, then you're already lost, hesitation or not. 😉

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    2. I'm in the Brotherhood of the Perpetually Bewildered..

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    3. I'm a Grandmaster in that Brotherhood.

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  3. I used to have AT&T for internet, but had so many problems I went to Spectrum. FAR BETTER service from them.
    I still have my AT&T flip phone (for emergencies). It gives me signal everywhere. And I use VOIP for my home phone, which is my primary.

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  4. In Australia we used to say "I've got a shonky knee." I like "shonky".

    For a wider statement of peril I like the Scottish "Life hangs on a shoogly peg".

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    Replies
    1. Shonky, I like that. Shoogly peg is also a winner.

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  5. Sarge,
    Just lay off the rugby for a while, say 20 years or so, and you'll be fine. Other than that, elevation, ice and rest. Best of luck and prayers to you.
    juvat

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    Replies
    1. What?!? Give up rugby? I suppose I'll have to give up the piano as well? (S'okay, I don't do either.😎 )

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  6. So here's hoping the prednisone has helped reduce whatever swelling was inside your knee and when it wears off in about 4-5 days, your right knee decides it has had enough of throwing tantrums and gets back to cooperating. Especially if the Mrs is heading out of town.

    However, and I am just throwing it out there, I would be happy to provide transportation if it was so needed as I have family--lots of family--in the general area and anytime I wanted to, I have standing invites to drop by. Besides, I have some honey jars I am supposed to bring to a cousin, so I could be in the area if needed/requested. Especially since generally speaking, you go see the doc, and they book you for a surgical date a month or two out. Just saying.

    All that to say, keep using your crutches for a bit, even tho' things are feeling better, as you come off your prednisone.

    Suz

    PS: if you saved ducats on your new service, does that mean you have more to spend on new games?? In addition to faster speed of playing said games?? Inquiring minds want to know... :)

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    Replies
    1. I'm using a crutch for the right side, not confident enough to trust that knee just yet.

      Absolutely there is more to spend on new games. 😏

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  7. Good to hear the knee is getting better. Have you considered a cane; just for the swagger factor?
    Comcast has a monopoly on hard wired in my building. They own Xfinity who was my cell phone carrier for years. Long story but policy changes at Xfinity so angered me I went looking. Now I have some sort of router in my window from TMobile that brings me internet and TMobile is my cell phone carrier. Should I ever decide to get a TV that will hook up at no additional charge. The internet is occasionally slow but adequate for my Latter Day Luddite needs. Overall I'm saving a few dollars. I could save more if I used my debit card. Sorry, no one gets linked to my debit card.

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    Replies
    1. Keeping the debit card secret is the smart move.

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  8. ** but I don't like the way Apple does things.**
    You are not alone....

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  9. Reduced pain in the knee and wallet. Sounds like a win, or at least a tactical victory with the enemy routed. Kinda like that French guy did at Waterloo to that Limey Duke something.
    JB

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  10. I blew out my knee the first time the last day of an ORI and I was the team lead. I have done it twice since then. Once at Camp Leatherneck which ended my Contractor career and again last Thanksgiving. I turn 65 in November so my insurance is fouled up the last two months this year. I have just put in motion to get a replacement knee this January and I have the preliminary meeting tomorrow. To get ready I have also gone back to the gym.

    It has been just 2 months at the gym but I am sleeping better and I generally feel better. I still have pain in my knee but I can still walk unassisted except for stairs. I have to one-step it up and depending on the day I can go down stairs with the help of a handrail.

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    Replies
    1. Stairs are definitely more exciting than I care for!

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Can't be nice, go somewhere else...

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