I want a new knee (try saying that 10 times fast)

I'm having an illicit affair with my chiropractor.

That probably isn't true, actually, considering that we're both married and he's got two cute kids. Although I guess that is what would make it an illicit affair.

No, what's really going on is that I've been having problems with my left knee; I'm not entirely sure I can pinpoint when or where or how I injured it, but it's keeping me from doing things that I want to do (like kickbox), while stupid things (like walking into a store) make it light up with pain, so much so that I can't walk on it for a minute or two. And even though I've been going to the chiropractor 2-3 times a week since August, it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

On Monday, driving home from the gym where I'd had to do all my squats and lunges old lady style (using the weight bar as a tripod for balance instead of for, you know, weight), I felt so disheartened with the whole thing that I was ready to give up and resign myself to a life of crippled misery. On Tuesday night, the chiropractor held a presentation on the six steps to better health: posture, stretching and exercise, diet, sleep, spinal health, and a positive attitude. I spent the hour talking back and joking with him, as I do, but thought I'd email him the next day to give him actual feedback on his class, and in said email, also mentioned my despair over my knee.

His response was, likewise, two-fold: he wants to discuss ideas for further classes in which he breaks down the textbook guidelines on the aforementioned six steps and makes them more realistic (because let's be honest - rawism is kind of overwhelming); and he wants to talk about further care options for my knee. The common thread? "Let's do lunch." Which is just awesome, my doctor taking time to go in-depth with me about something that really concerns me, not to mention valuing my opinion on how he should run an aspect of his practice. The whole exchange was very encouraging as well, full of things like "DON'T GIVE UP," and "don't go there [surgery] in your mind," and, my personal favorite, "I know you heckle me, but it is not malicious, and not taken that way. I also know that you understand what I bring up for discussion and are capable of a deeper conversation than many."

That's right, people. I'm not just another pretty face and brilliant wit. I gots brains too!