"Bruce," Dr. Kapoor said to Bruce once his exam was complete. "The loss of cartilage is quite severe."
"Right," Bruce said, already knowing this. He had been having cartilage loss and pain in this knee for years. "So how to we proceed?"
"Well, ultimately," the doctor said. "You will require a knee replacement."
Bruce began to laugh.
"I'm in my late 30's," Bruce told the doctor.
"Bruce," the doctor said. "We discussed the possibility of this being required one day. Your body has sustained a lot. Your knee-"
"My knee is fine," Bruce said. "What about stem cell therapy? That has worked before."
"As I said..." the doctor said. "The loss is advanced. We can try but you will continue to be in pain for some time. For your comfort and as a long term solution, I believe a knee replacement is the best option."
"I know all about knee replacements," Bruce said. "I'd be laid up for a couple of months. Won't be able to walk on my own without a walker for weeks. Months of physical rehab."
"Yes," the doctor nodded. "But after your recovery your knee will not bother you. Your life will resume as normal."
"I can't take months off," Bruce said. "It's not a good time."
The doctor spoke to Bruce very calmly.
"You have not practiced vigilantism in some time," the doctor said. "Now is the perfect time."
Bruce couldn't argue, but the last think he wanted was to be struck down with the recovery of a knee surgery. He was too young for this, he thought.
"We'll try stem cell therapy again," Bruce said.
"Stem cell therapy has its limitations Bruce," the doctor said.
"I'll be in pain while in treatment, but the Vicodin is working just fine," Bruce said.
"You will not be able to continue with Vicodin for more than three more days," the doctor said. "It is not a long-term pain treatment. Acetaminophen will take the edge off, but my concern in that your pain will increase. You could be in for surgery this weekend Bruce and be on your way to full recovery by springtime."
"I've made my decision doctor," Bruce said and sat up.
Bruce knew that stem cell therapy had helped him tremendously in the past. He was young and fit and knew his body would pull through again.
.
.
.
"Daddy!" Arsenio said excitedly as Bruce came into the kitchen in Wayne Manor.
"How did everything go at your appointment?" Adriana asked as she picked up one of the soft macaroni noodles Arsenio dropped onto the floor.
"Heyyy," Bruce said and picked up Arsenio from his high seat. "Everything went fine."
"Great," Adriana said, even though she could hear that Bruce was not telling her everything.
.
.
.
"Stem cell treatment?" Adriana asked Bruce when they were alone. "Will that really work?"
"Yes," Bruce assured her. "We've used it before. It's an excellent treatment."
"Are you sure?" she asked him as he sat at the desk at his in-home office.
"Positive, dear," he said. "There's no need to worry."
