Professionals

My right knee hurts. Went to an orthopedic doctor. He had an MRI taken to add to the most recent x-ray. Arthritis in both knees, but not the cause of pain. Torn meniscus is the cause of pain; no injury, just age and deterioration from use. Will need arthroscopic surgery to repair. Recovery will require one week of inactivity; then six weeks of rigorous physical therapy to regain full use of the knee and leg.

Before scheduling the surgery, the ortho doc asked that I visit my spine doctor for an assessment of my spinal stenosis. That doctor feels my stenosis is stable and not causing the other leg, ankle and foot pain and numbness. He prescribed a mild medicine to restore neurological feeling in feet and ankles. Will try this for a time. Meanwhile, we go ahead and schedule the knee work.

A few weeks earlier, the cardiologist and pulmonologist both gave my condition high marks. The pulmonologist noticed my difficulty walking and getting up from a seated position. He checked my charts. Noticed I had been on statins for cholesterol for some years. Twenty-five to thirty years of statin use to my memory. He suggested I stop taking it; checked with the cardiologist and he agreed. Reason: long-term statin use causes leg muscle pain and weakness. Nearly a month later my legs are less painful and some flexibility and strength has returned. My posture is better; my gait has improved. Things are looking better.

Now on to the knee!

What does all of this tell me? That my doctors are well educated and trained physicians who not only know their specialty but also are aware of the patient’s context of living. Professional people doing professional work.

Many years ago (about 40), our son was tested by the local school system. It was a screening for learning disabilities. This was an attempt by the schools to determine early if students required customized approaches to early education to correct or ease common learning disabilities. They discovered my son had two learning disabilities. He was placed in pre-school programs for two years. Then he was enrolled in special education for kindergarten and grades 1 through 6. During 6^th grade he was increasingly mainlined. He was a regular student throughout middle and high schools. He graduated with honors from both. He went on to his bachelor’s degree with honors, again. After that he completed a master’s degree with high honors.

Professionals helped him every step of the way. They helped him get past his disabilities to excel. Professionals made this happen. These are professionals we all helped educate and motivate into their careers. Careers that pay large dividends to individual lives and the quality of life for all of our society.

Same with our teachers and laboratory researchers. We pay them to discover more about our world so we all may benefit. And we do benefit. Sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly. But all benefit from this professional preparation, study and development of expertise.

Professionals also staff our institutions of commerce and culture. Education, study, research and discipline results in professional expertise shared with others in a wide variety of academic and commercial organizations. They prosper and serve the community and society very well. They help themselves to excel and serve us so we may excel in whatever career we have chosen.

Opportunity comes from all of this. A world of opportunity springs up. For each of us to take advantage of as best we can. Opportunity that gives life purpose and excellence and prosperity.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness may seem like a singular journey; it isn’t. It is comprised of countless people struggling for themselves and others so that we all may prosper and find joyous life, liberty and happiness.

This is what America is about. It is a pursuit of excellence that echoes through all of us – singly and together. The community of all, not one.

Trust the process. Trust the dedication. Trust the professionals.

April 10, 2018