Iris’ First Appointment with Dr.K

Iris flew 700 miles for her first appointment with Dr.Klimkiewicz last Wednesday night and she wrote me her experience of meeting with Dr.K so I could share her story with all the readers who visit this blog. I am so happy for her that she saw the hope to correct her legs and wish her the best of luck for the journey. I also thank her for sharing her story on this blog. Thank you so much, Iris!

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My battle with my bowed legs started on one hot spring afternoon when I was 11 years old.  My 6 grade teacher, Mrs. C, asked us to stand up and stand still for a physical examination.  When she approached to me, she pointed to my legs and said: “stand up still and put your knees together”.  I whispered softly to her: “Mrs. C., I am standing up still.”  The truth is despite my best effort I was not able to put my knees together like other kids.  I knew I was different then.

Over the years I’ve learned to accept a few nick names from my classmates such as frog-legged lady, O-legged girl, horse-riding girl and countless stares on my legs.  Laughed by others in the swimming pool, I also gave up my chance to be in senior swim team in high school.  My legs continue to be more bowed as I get older and I started developing pains on my knees and legs.  Eventually I gave up my love for running, biking, swimming, and hiking.

Determined to fix my legs, I’ve visited chiropractors, yoga instructors, and orthopedic surgeons and had purchased other devices that claimed it can fix my bowed legs. Needless to say, none of the devices and exercises doctors recommended worked and my legs are still bowed. Then one day while searching internet I found the “Not A Cow Girl” blog.  Seeing how NACG recovered from her surgery gave me a hope to correct my deformed legs.  I immediately called Georgetown University hospital to schedule an appointment with Dr. K.

I was very nervous about the upcoming appointment because of all the rejections that I received from other doctors in the past.  The night before the appointment I prayed to God for his help to guide me through the process and I sincerely hope Dr. K would consider my physical pain and would agree on doing the surgery for me.

My appointment with Dr. K was at 9:00 am but I arrived bright early at 7:15 am.  The orthopedic department wasn’t even open at that time so I just walked around the campus for a while until the office was open.  Since I was the first time patient, I was asked to fill out some paperwork.  Then the medical assistant asked me to take some X-rays on my knees.  Afterwards I sat and waited in the waiting room.   As I was sitting in the waiting room, someone called my name and asked me to change to surgical gown.  I changed and waited nervously in the room.  Dr. K came in to the room with a big, bright smile.  He listened carefully about my condition, asked me to lie down on the bed, and examined my knees and legs carefully.  He pressed at several locations to get an idea on where exactly my knees and legs were hurting and told me that I have several options: one is to schedule a 6 week physical therapy by doing some exercises and see if my condition would improve; two is to have the I-Balance HTO surgery.  As bowed as my legs are, the I-Balance HTO surgery would definitely align my body and help easing my knee pains and legs cramps.  We came to a conclusion that surgery would be my best option.  My next step is to come up with the date that I can do the surgery.  Dr. K said that since I am from out of town, he will help me to schedule a surgery date that works for me.  I am so thankful that he sees my problem and is willing to help me resolve the pains that I’ve carried on for so long.  I almost cried leaving the orthopedic office.

Since the initial appointment, I have talked to my boss and family members and came up with the range of dates that I am open for surgery.  I will have my surgery on the week of 7/11 with exact date still not finalized.  I am so looking forward to the surgery date.  At least I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I thank “Not A Cow Girl” for all your help from finding the right doctor.  Thank you so much, Not A Cow Girl.  I hope someday I can be a “Not A Cow Girl” too!

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