CHAPTER 1
Several days later...
Benjamin had decided to visit the family doctor in town again. His knee was doing Better than last summer, but ever so often, it would swell and be painful. Dr. Stafford examined it. The bandage and medication had helped some. Still, the knee would bother Benjamin on occasion.
"You've got a severe tear in your ligament. That is what is causing you pain and becoming inflamed. Maybe stay off your feet as much as possible," the doctor advised.
"How can I do that, doctor?" Benjamin asked. "I have to do farm work sometime.
Besides, within another month, I will be field plowing."
"I'm afraid you won't be doing that this year. Standing on that leg just aggravates it more. Either use a crutch while walking or sit down," the doctor stated.
"The crutch just holds me back and I do sit when I can, especially milking the cows, Benjamin said.
"Have you thought about having surgery on it?" the doctor asked.
"What does that involve?" asked Benjamin.
"Going into the knee itself and repairing the tear – the only way to relieve the pain and stop the swelling," the doctor said.
"You can do that? Why didn't you tell me this before?" Benjamin asked.
"Because of one thing," the doctor said.
"What thing?" Benjamin asked.
"There is no anesthesia for surgery. There is no ether available. Medical supplies have been cut significantly after the war," the doctor stated.
"No anesthesia!" Benjamin exclaimed.
"It very painful besides," the doctor said.
"Tell me the details," Benjamin said.
"You would need to stay off your feet completely to give time for the knee to heal," the doctor said.
"How long?" Benjamin asked.
"At least six to eight weeks and follow instructions. Otherwise, the surgery is a waste of time and effort," the doctor stated.
"What instructions? How would I get around?" asked Benjamin.
"You will be in a wheelchair at first. Then, you can revert to crutches in a couple of weeks, keeping that leg elevated while sitting. It should be better within a few months as long as you follow my instructions," the doctor stated.
"I don't know, doctor. Any guarantee it will help?" asked Benjamin.
"I can't guarantee 100%, but it may help relieve some pain and stop the tear from tearing more. I will basically sew it back together," the doctor advised.
"Can I think about it?" Benjamin asked.
"Sure, but I wouldn't wait too long. You have already had this injury over a year," the doctor said.
"What does that matter?" Benjamin asked.
"After so long, the leg may become less useful," the doctor advised. "You will continue to have trouble walking on it, maybe even more so."
"I will, doctor," Benjamin stated. He quickly left the doctor's office that afternoon.
He wanted to discuss this with Sarah first. After all, this would take time to heal after surgery and time was precious. That night, he sat down to dinner. Sarah had prepared beans and cornbread with a thin slice of ham. Benjamin ate silently. Sarah looked up, noticing that Benjamin was quiet.
"Penny for your thoughts," Sarah uttered.
"What?" Benjamin asked, looking up at Sarah.
"Penny for your thoughts. You are in deep thought, Benjamin," Sarah said. "Why so quiet tonight?"
"Oh, I visited the doctor again today. He thought I might want to consider surgery on my leg," Benjamin said.
"Why is that? Isn't it better than before?" asked Sarah.
"Yes, it is, but on occasion it hurts and swells," Benjamin said.
"Can't the doctor give you medicine for that?" asked Sarah.
"Yes, but he also wants me to stay off the leg at times. I have too much work to do around here," Benjamin stated.
"I didn't know it was that serious, Benjamin. I thought you had healed from your knee injury," Sarah said.
"I did too. It is a constant reminder that I was in the war. A stupid fall - I blame myself," Benjamin said.
"Don't blame yourself. It happened and there is nothing you can do about it. I prayed that you would come back alive and in one piece. God has been good to us," Sarah said.
"What did you tell the doctor today?"
"That I would think about it. There is no anesthesia for it. It would be very painful," said Benjamin.
"You mean you have to have surgery while awake?" asked Sarah.
"Yes, I'm afraid so. No ether is available for surgery. Medical supplies were cut when the war ended," Benjamin said.
Sarah bit her upper lip. This bloody war was still winning. It would take weeks, if not months, to get over surgery. She needed Benjamin for the farm, if not for herself and the children.
Benjamin did continue to think about it. As long as he got the plowing done by springtime, he would be okay, he thought. Would he want to go for the rest of his life in pain or did he need to repair it now as the doctor advised? He decided to have the surgery done next Monday morning. Sarah's mother would care for the children, while Sarah went with Benjamin to the doctor's office.
It was an early morning in late February. Benjamin and Sarah had to be at the doctor's office by 7:00 a.m. Julie came over early that morning. Benjamin couldn't eat or drink anything before surgery so Sarah ate in private. She fed the children and got them dressed before her mother arrived. The doctor had advised that the surgery might take up to three hours. Sarah was prepared. She would drive Benjamin home after surgery. Julie cleaned the cabin and also changed the sheets in the master bedroom.
Sarah wondered what life would be like without her parents. They provided so much help to her and Benjamin. Frank would come over periodically and pitch in where he could help on the farm. Julie always contributed to the housework and caring for the children. She loved her grandchildren and so did Frank.
The children played that morning. Gina would play on the floor with her toys, but Matt would walk out the door, if not carefully watched. He was so much like Benjamin at that age: active, spontaneous and mischievous. He liked to run away if he could. He ran fast and without interruption.
Sarah and Benjamin arrived at Dr. Stafford's office. The doctor was an old country doctor that saw everyone in the local area. He had been in the area for twenty or more years. He was a general surgeon too and did everything from delivering babies to more serious injuries, like Benjamin's. Once inside the office, the doctor explained the surgical procedure. His assistant would be helping with the surgery. Benjamin would be monitored during the day and allowed to go home in the afternoon if all went well. Sarah sat outside in the waiting room and prayed.
As Benjamin went inside the doctor's office, there was an adjoining room to the side.
That was where the surgery would take place. A long table was in the middle of the room. The assistant told Benjamin to disrobe. There would be a clean sheet placed over him during surgery. The doctor came in with a clean doctor's robe on. He wore a white robe that tied in back. This made Benjamin nervous when he saw the doctor dressed for surgery. The assistant was also prepared for surgery in a white robe.
"Nothing to be nervous about, Benjamin. You are wise to get this over with now," the doctor stated.
"How long will I be in surgery, doctor?" Benjamin asked.
"As long as it takes. Hopefully not too long. Maybe a few hours at most. I will know more when I...
