It is NOT about me.

[quasigeostrophy]

I have not endured years of osteoarthritis in my knee to the point of being unable to walk without a cane or go long distances without needing a sitting mode of transportation.

I have not suffered from having bone spurs and no cartilage whatsoever in that knee.

I have not suffered the indignity of medical professionals deriding me and disregarding my condition because of another condition.

I have not undergone total knee replacement surgery.

I have not undergone laryngiospasm resulting in a severe asthma attack while being intubated for general anesthesia before that surgery.

I have not spent over 48 hours (and mentally lost the first 24) after surgery in the ICU because of that asthma attack.

I have not undergone the stress of awakening to discover I've been intubated and my hands restrained and felt extremely claustrophobic from that and the associated disorientation.

I have not undergone 2 days of pain, medication, tests, discomfort, respiratory therapy, and both stressful and painful physical therapy starting only a couple of hours after awakening and being extubated.

I do not have weeks of more physical therapy and limited mobility to look forward to as I recover and regain full use of a new prosthetic knee.

And yet, I am still freaking EXHAUSTED.