It was September 2001, when JJ finally decided the knee had to go. Since then it has been a long, up-hill battle with doctors, specialists and surgeons etc... Now four years later and the day before his 45th Birthday, JJ has a fully functional knee with scars and all.
It's been a long row to hoe for our long-time friend and former patient of Dr. JC Taylor. But it had to be done because hemophilia-related cists and structural degeneration made the completey unfunctional. Make no mistake, this was no ordinary surgery. JJ is a hemophiliac and is HIV positive (from a bad blood transfusion years ago) which adds precarious elements to just about any medical treatment, let alone knee replacement.
Anyway, all's well that ends well. Accompanied by his wife, Marina, his father and his girlfriend, and his very close friend Robert, JJ's surgery lasted just over three hours. He has since recovered well enough to get back home in time for to watch the Bears whoop up on the Giants from the comfort of his own home.
When I spoke to him, he said he continues to be amazed at his own recovery and attributes it mostly to will-power, determination and mental toughness. I agreed. Too bad he’s a bleeder with bad knees and tobacco-stained lungs… He’d be a hell of an ultra athlete. Either way, he's still an inspiration to all who know him. Way to go JJ! Keep on keepin' on!
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