07/15/2024
‼️ UPDATE ‼️
I have missed you all. I am sorry I have been MIA for a while. As most of you know, I was having issues with my knee during last semester of Zumba.
Over the past few months, I have had X-rays, MRI’s, multiple doctor appointments with Ortho and physical therapists. When I had my previous surgery in 2019 for a torn meniscus with cyst, I knew it was probable that I would get bone spurs “in about 20 years.” Most of you know that I taught Zumba at my heaviest weight for the longest time (360’s pounds) which may have progressed the spurs to appear sooner.
Not only do I have bone spurs, but I also have really bad arthritis, a lateral tear to what is left of my meniscus, another cyst, and swelling in said knee. These past few months, on most days, I have barely been able to move. I cannot sleep because of the pain I am in.
My Ortho doctor gave me two options. Physical therapy or surgery. He said surgery would be flipping a coin — is the pain from the arthritis and spurs or is it from the tear, cyst and swelling? I chose physical therapy first and I have five more weeks left before we see if surgery is the next best option. The only problem is, if I have surgery, I will not have my meniscus to cushion anything which will make a total knee replacement surgery more of a probable outcome. Lordy, I am only 34! 😬
Unfortunately, I am not to teach Zumba (or run my 5K’s anymore) - at this point. I do not post this as a sob story or want pitty. I feel I have let you all down as your instructor. Yes, I know I couldn’t have fully prevented this… but it still sucks. I have absolutely loved teaching you all these past 13 years. Hopefully things will improve and I will get the clear to teach again soon (probably no more step 😩). I will keep you all updated. ❤️ 💃
- Jess
