After completely tearing my ACL, partially tearing my meniscus, and spraining my MCL by playing Ultimate Frisbee, I realized that a college campus was not made for the cripple. 2 months later, I got ACL reconstruction surgery, and life wasn't any easier, but from there on out, it only got better. Those of you who suffered a leg injury can relate to this, but for those who are lucky and haven't, here's a chance for you to experience the journey through 'FRIENDS.'
1. The actual incident of the injury.
Whether it was during an intense sport or something as simple as an awkward landing, it didn't sound good. Or feel good.
2. You go in to the ER and doctor and find out what it is.
You find out three out of the four ligaments in your knee are messed up. And surgery is needed.
3. Everything becomes dangerous.
You quickly realize as you lose your balance and almost fall that putting socks on is a difficult obstacle.
3. You're made fun of.
Crip and Gimp are your new names, but you play along and make jokes about how you always come in "crutch." You accept this because in return, people have to be nice to you, get you food, and walk you to class to make sure you don't die.
4. You make a million phone calls.
Never ending phone calls to your insurance company, hospital, MRI center, physical therapist, nurse, and relaying the same exact information to your parents are exhausting.
5. As you prepare for surgery, you're kind of an emotional wreck.
You're scared and nervous, but at the same time, you're excited to get better.
6. Right after surgery, you're pretty much dysfunctional.
7. To the point where looking out the window is your new and only hobby.
8. No matter what position you sleep in, it is uncomfortable.
Even when the pain medicine eradicates the pain, the big, bulky brace makes sure you that you don't get a good night's sleep.
9. You eat without doing your regular workouts.
The transition between working out every other morning plus 2-3 practices to not being able to do any strenuous activities causes you to not only lose leg muscle, but also unable to burn those cheat meals efficiently.
9. You're tortured.
Also known as physical therapy, being tortured 2-3 times a week is something to look forward to. As much as it sucks, it's the main thing that'll help you get better. Eventually, after all the pain and boring exercises, you see your muscles improving and overall physical progression.
10. You update your friends about your progression
No matter how weird or gross they are such as pictures of stitches being removed, or huge milestones like graduating from crutches, letting your friends know that you are well and alive is part of the process.
11. You celebrate your progress
You're able to do things you weren't able to before, such as jumping (onto a table to do the happy dance).
12. Finally, you get back in the game.
Everything's back to normal, well not really. Your body will never be quite the same, but you recover enough that you're able to enjoy your sport again. (I haven't reached this point yet, but I'm excited and a little impatient!)
13. Through it all, you're friends are there every step of the way.
I'm forever grateful for my family, who helped me get up from bed, take showers, and be there literally every step that I took. I've been blessed with the best teammates who stayed with me until 2 in the morning at the emergency room and brought me Dunkin' Donuts the day before my surgery. And I have angel like friends that constantly check in on me to make sure I'm well and visited me when I was almost completely immobile. All these people made the experience so much easier, kept me sane, and allowed me to stay positive through it all.
