My dad’s having knee replacement surgery today. In a perfect world, this is a good thing as he has trouble getting around to the point where I don’t even invite him to things where he’d have to climb around bleachers or stadium seats anymore. His health is far from perfect and I suspect surgery and recovery, at his age, in his condition, (obese, diabetic, heart disease) will be more challenging than is typical.
As a family, we’ve ridden the health roller coaster with dad for sometime now. From chronic hypertension to bypass heart surgery to cancer, he’s endured plenty of adversity on the health front. Compared to what dad has been through, a knee replacement seems so simple. Yet I worry.
Despite his health issues and the urging of family, friends and doctors, my dad has stubbornly refused to change his lifestyle. He remains staunchly sedentary and for the most part recognizes nothing in the fruit and green vegetable categories as remotely edible.
I don’t mean to sit here in judgement, casting stones at my dad and the multitudes out there like him. They lead by example. Sadly it’s an example of what NOT to do, but an example all the same.
My dad inspires me to keep moving and making (mostly) good food choices, even on days when the idea of flopping down on the couch and giving in to a bag of chips and a cupcake or three is oh so alluring.
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to feeling a sense of helplessness and frustration though. Any good thoughts you can spare for my stubborn dad today are much appreciated.
