Alabama Politics in
Doc’s Political Parlor
& Home of Lawn Mower Repair

NOTE: Sen. Hank Sanders has written a weekly column for papers in his legislative district for the past twenty years. These rural, weekly papers lack a web presence, and links to the columns are not typically otherwise available. The column below is provided by Sen. Sanders’ office for inclusion in the Daily News Digest.

Senate Sketches # 1063

By

Senator Hank Sanders

*****************************

“Pray for me,” I said to several members of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. “Pray that I make the right decision” I went on to say. “I have made the giant decision to have my knees replaced but still face a big decision. I must decide whether to have both knees replaced at the same time or one now and the other later.”

So many have advised me. Most time it’s “Please have just one done at a time.” Other times it’s, “Go ahead and get both done.” Occasionally it’s “Do what you think is right.” I have debated the pros and cons with myself numerous times, but I’m still struggling

When I talked with my doctor about whether both knees should be replaced at the same time, I was advised in stark terms: It will double the chances of infection; double the chances of bleeding; double the chances of going to intensive care; and double the chances of death. That sounded scary and resolved the issue until he put it in perspective.

The chances of infection and bleeding double simply because there are two operations: one on each knee. The chances of death go from one and a half out a thousand to three out of a thousand for the same reasons. It’s the same risks because I will have two operations, whether one at a time or two at once. Still, some of these risks are magnified by two knee operations at one time.

The debate continues. If I do both knees, each exercise session will be much longer. I will have a lot more trouble getting about after the operation, even in and out of bed. The pain will be greater. However, I would handle the pain and the additional exercise because I embrace struggle.

Since I have made up my mind to have the knee replacement surgery, I’d like to go ahead and get it over. I have refused to act for eight years and don’t want to struggle through this situation for another year.

If I don’t have both knees done now, I will be out of action up to six weeks now and a similar time later. Can I forge two such periods of time in the context of my hectic life? It’s hard creating one such time period.

It may be another year before I can make the time to get the second knee done. I refuse to miss the legislative session which starts in February and ends in the latter half of May. Therefore it would be at least the end of summer before I could resume normal activities, continuing in pain for up to another year.

Since I am struggling, I decided to seek more information. I talked to persons who have had both knees replaced. My friend Barbara Brown of Selma had both knees replaced one at a time. She asked me not to have my knees replaced simultaneously. “The pain,” she said, “is too great.”

I talked to Bruce Windham of Birmingham who had two knees replaced at the same time. He said that if he had to do it over, he would have both replaced at the same time again. He said, “I am not sure I would ever get the second one done.”

I called the doctor for further discussion and shared my struggle. We agreed to discuss it further when I come for pre-operation counsel later this month. I continued to seek guidance as I move toward surgery in early November.

I am getting so much conflicting advice. I must explore my first and last resort. I am praying and asking others to pray for me. My advisers, however, are praying conflicting prayers.

My friend Barbara Brown is praying that I will get my knees replaced one at a time. Others are praying that I get both knees replaced at one time. I said to Barbara, “Why don’t you just pray for God to help me decide the right way?” She said, “I’m praying for one knee at a time because I know what is best.” We both laughed.

I am reminded of Abraham Lincoln’s words about those praying about the Civil War: “Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes his aid against the other . . . The Almighty has his own purpose.” Yes, we too often decide and then pray for God to support our choice.

During a discussion with several of my church members last Sunday, one minister said: “I think you know what you want to do so why don’t you just go ahead and do it.” He was absolutely correct about my knowing what I prefer, but that does not resolve the issue. I really want to do what is best for me and all those connected to me.

I am asking God to help me know and do what is best for all concerned. And that includes you. You pray for me and I’ll pray for you.

Now on to the Daily Diary.

Saturday - I facilitated the Unity Breakfast and worked on issues involving education, economics, mass communication, and youth leadership. That night I stole away to watch a football game with Dr. James Mitchell and eat the excellent vegetable soup he prepared.

Sunday - I did Radio Sunday School, Radio Education, and Sunday Review. I traveled to Salem Baptist Church in Greensboro to make remarks at an event and returned to Selma. I also participated in a Twenty First Century Youth Leadership (21C) meeting and handled numerous issues. Among others, I talked with the following: Senator Bobby Singleton; Theresa Burroughs of Greensboro; and John Zippert of the Greene County Democrat newspaper.

Monday - I participated in a 7:30 a.m. breakfast with Dr. James Mitchell of Wallace Community College Selma (WCCS), Wayne Vardaman of the Selma Centre for Commerce, Jim Hodo of American Apparel, Dr. Margaret Hardy of the State Employment Office, and Gale Lovelady of Selma. I traveled to Lowndes County and returned to Selma to work on various issues. I talked with the following: Frank Jenkins of Montgomery; Senator Linda Coleman; Teresa Myers of Selma; Frederick Blair of Monroe County; and Lester Brown of Greene County. I met with Volunteer Firefighters from Monroe, Perry, Conecuh, Dallas, Clarke, Wilcox and Marengo Counties. I also met with Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard, Wayne Vardaman, and Jim Hodo. I traveled to Montgomery to pick up some information and returned to Selma to work into the night.

Tuesday - I completed Sketches and talked with the following: Businessman Willie Thomas; Sharon Wheeler of the Senate President Pro Tem’s Office; Joyce Bigbee of the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO); Senator Roger Bedford; Irma Hughey Lunderman of New York; John Clyde Riggs of the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Council; and Lisman Mayor Thomas Jackson. I traveled to Birmingham for a meeting with several leaders and returned to Selma.

Wednesday - I talked with the following: House Budget Chair Representative Richard Lindsey; Wilcox Circuit Clerk Ralph Lindsey; Representative Yusuf Salaam; and Felecia Jones of the Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF). I participated in the following: BBCF Governance Meeting; Law Lessons Radio Program; other meetings and the Alabama Tombigbee Annual Meeting where I talked with Ginger Avery Buckner of the Alabama Association for Justice and many leaders from Southwest Alabama. I worked into the night.

Thursday - I was at work by 6:15 a.m. and in Greene County by 9:00 a.m. where I met with Dr. Carol P. Zippert before returning to Selma. I talked to the following: Selma Businessman Mike Reynolds; Rev. Lee Goodwin of Selma; Rev. Franklin Fortier, Jr. of Selma; Joyce O’Neal of the Department of Human Resources; and Kirit Chapatwala of Selma University. I handled many matters before traveling to Lowndes County where I shared dinner with the School Superintendent, Board members, and other school personnel. I returned to Selma to continue working until near 11:00 p.m.

Friday - I had a 7:30 a.m. Breakfast meeting with several leaders and a conference call with several legislative leaders. I had several other meetings including one with Felecia Jones of the BBCF and one with publishers of the Selma Times Journal, and others. I began writing Sketches and talked with the following: Abina Billups, Malika Fortier, Angela Brown, and Faya Rose Toure’ of Selma; Roosevelt McElroy of Orrville; Randy Williams of Selma; and others.

EPILOGUE - It’s easy to do what we want. It’s easy to do what others want. It’s hard to what is best for ourselves. It’s hard to do what’s best for others. It is extremely hard to do what is best for ourselves and others. That is my struggle.

Share This