It’s hard to believe but, tonight marks one year since I began my leave of absence (LOA) for my total knee replacement. Time flies even when you’re not having fun because the year sucks-for almost everyone.

When my leave began I was terrified of not having money to live on. Having surgery was a complete leap of faith that it would work out.

I was miserable. Just walking had become an ordeal in which I almost literally dragged my left leg as if it was a log.

Even though I was terrified of having zero income for about three months, I relished having the break from my job. I actually preferred experiencing horrible physical pain and not working as a cashier at Walmart.