My name is Lesa. We own a family dairy farm. My mom and dad started this farm in 1964. I’m probably the seventh generation dairy farmer. It’s not really a job. It’s something I love to do. I’m very passionate about it. We work 12 to 14 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is very physical.

The knee pain started abruptly, I was kind of caught off guard. While I was walking, a knee was giving away. It just didn’t feel right so it’s time for a check-up and the doctor said my knees are in really bad shape. You know, somewhere along the way you will have your knees replaced.

So I went to see an orthopaedic surgeon about replacement and he said I would decide when the pain was bad enough. So for about a year, I struggled with these daily activities. It is extremely painful. It hurt to walk. At night when you try to sleep and your leg is throbbing. And you know it’s not going to get any better if you don’t do something about it. They said well you know you either have to change your lifestyle or do something else. And I just couldn’t imagine my life not being on the farm.

Ellie, Lesa’s Daughter: “It was really hard watching her, work with pain all day long.”

So I called him and I said ‘I think I’m ready. I think I wanna have my life back.’ The rehab is so important. I knew that what I had put into it, that’s what I get out of it. And the more I put into it, the better the results will be.

When it came time to have my second knee replaced, I did not hesitate one moment. Picked up the phone and called and said ‘it’s time to do my knee.’ After my second knee surgery, I was driving a tractor all day long. I had a peach myself on this because ??? wow, this is great. I’m back doing things that I love to do. I don’t even realised I have them anymore. They’re just a part of me. There’s nothing that I can’t do that I want to do.

I feel very blessed. I feel like I’ve been given another lease on life. Getting my knees replaced allowed me to do my job which I think is help feeding the world. When you get to enjoy something and do it and love what you’re doing, it’s a great life.