After my first knee surgery, I was in EXTREME pain. The doctor told me that I couldn't e having that much pain with the epidural. He found out two days later when I passed out because of the pain when he cut the stitches to pull out my drains. That was just the beginning!
I tried to return to school, but couldn't stand to wear a shoe (sometimes even a sock. I couldn't stay in school all day. My mom actually threatened to pull me out of school, because I was "just trying to get attention."
I had another surgery to break up scar tissue a month later (couldn't bend my knee more than 30 degrees...after I bit my physical therapist in pain...Doctor realized something was up.) I got out of the hospital the day before Thanksgiving. The pain was so bad by 8 PM, my father tried to slap me out of it.
It wasn't until two and half months later we found out I had a nerve disorder, Refelxive Sympathetic Dystrophy. Hard to explain, but VERY painful. I was lucky that I had a doctor who had two other patients with it. He recognized the symptoms but waited because he felt I was too young to get it.
Now the biggest problem I have is when I start falling because that knee collapses. It usually takes me a good six months of going to my orthopedist before I can convince him that I have another buil-up of scar tissue that is causing my knee to lock and collapse. Each time he has done surgery, he comes out and tells my mother (or my boyfriend last time)....she really needed that surgery. I should have done it sooner!
On top of that, I have been struggling with depression and anxiety from this injury. It has been VERY hard on my parents and brother, but I am very lucky to have them.
I would love to an insurance adjuster for Workmen's Comp. I would probably be too empathetic. I know there are those few out there that do ruin it for those of us who are truly sick. BUT...MAN has my adjuster put me through hell since I got hurt!
(sorry so long....I will end my rant.)