If you would have told me 5 years ago, 10 years ago, 15 years ago that I wouldn’t be able to play sports and I’d only sometimes be running and jumping – I wouldn’t have believed you. And yet, that’s where I find myself today. I’m surprised to say that I’m grateful to be where I am because the journey to just get here has been long and hard – and it’s still going but this journey gave me everything I needed to build Kneed Health.
I’m Cherizza, and I’ve had eight knee surgeries and I’ve rehabbed and battled back through each one. It’s recently dawned upon me how much my injured/rehabbing experience defines who I am. Cumulatively, it makes me pretty un-relatable – not many people go through this many surgeries for basically the same thing.
At the smallest instance though, everyone gets it, because all of us have overcome something. All of us have wished for a different circumstance. All of us have had moments of triumph. And if you’re reading this, I know you’re recovering from surgery or know someone who is. Here’s a few things I learned and why I’m building a solution
The 4 Real Lessons I learned About Recovery
After my first surgery, I thought recovery would be linear. Do the physical therapy, follow the timeline, get back to normal. By surgery number three, I realized recovery is more like a rollercoaster – full of unexpected dips, surprising victories, and moments where you can’t see what’s coming next.
1. Isolation is Real and No One Talks About It
Each recovery felt like being stuck in a bubble while life moved on around me. Friends went back to their normal routines, family tried to be supportive but couldn’t truly understand, and I was left scrolling through social media watching everyone else live their lives. The physical pain was manageable compared to the mental struggle of feeling completely alone in the process.
2. Progress Isn’t Always Visible
Some days I felt like I was getting worse, not better. My knee would swell up after a good day, or I’d have setbacks that made me question if I’d ever fully recover. Without a way to track the small wins – like walking an extra 50 steps or having less pain when getting out of bed – it was easy to lose hope.
3. You Support System will Ebb and Flow
My family and friends wanted to help, but they didn’t know how. “How are you feeling?” became the question I dreaded because the honest answer was usually “frustrated, isolated, and worried this will never end.” But saying that felt like complaining, so I’d just say “fine” and suffer in silence. People wanted to help but they just weren’t sure how to and I wasn’t sure what I needed.
4. Information is everywhere and It’s Not Helpful
Google searches for “knee surgery recovery timeline” led me down rabbit holes of medical jargon and worst-case scenarios. Meanwhile, my PT sessions were once or twice a week, leaving me to figure out the other 165+ hours on my own. I had too much conflicting information and not enough personalized guidance.
The Breaking Point That Became a Breakthrough
Recovery number six hit different. Maybe it was the accumulation of experience, maybe it was just being tired of the same struggles or maybe it was because this surgery was “the big one” and “had to work out”, but I found myself thinking: “There has to be a better way.”
I started tracking everything – pain levels, exercises, sleep quality, mood, small victories. I started a whole separate Instagram just about my recovery. I created my own support system by connecting with other people going through recover. I developed strategies for staying motivated during the hardest days. And slowly, this recovery started feeling different. Not easier, but more manageable. More human.
That’s when it hit me: What if there was an app that could provide the support, tracking, and community I had to build from scratch?
So that’s What I’ve Done
After eight surgeries, I’ve become an accidental expert in what recovery really needs:
Personalized Progress Tracking: Not just “how’s your pain 1-10” but tracking the small wins that actually matter – like sleeping through the night or walking to the mailbox without thinking about it.
Real Community Support: Connecting with people who actually understand what you’re going through, not just well-meaning friends who’ve never had surgery.
Informed Guidance: Getting personalized insights about your recovery based on your specific situation, not generic timelines that may or may not apply to you.
Integration with Your Care Team: Bridging the gap between PT appointments with information to equip you to have better communication with your PT.
For Anyone Facing Surgery or in Recovery
If you’re reading this because you’re about to have surgery, in the middle of recovery, or supporting someone who is – you’re not alone. I’ve been there eight times, and while each journey is unique, the feelings of isolation, frustration, and uncertainty are universal.
Here’s what I want you to know:
- Your timeline is your timeline – Don’t compare your recovery to anyone else’s, including the “typical” recovery your doctor mentioned
- The mental game is as important as the physical – It’s okay to have bad days, and it’s okay to ask for help
- Small progress is still progress – Celebrate every victory, no matter how minor it seems
- Community matters – Finding people who understand what you’re going through makes all the difference