So this is probably a weird blogpost, but I have never been athletic and have never injured myself before, so I'm a little abnormally proud of this! haha Of course, I would have rather NOT injured myself, but at least I did it doing something that I've never been known to do naturally... playing some sport or activity, very aggressively and competitively.
Back in June, I went out to bootcamp on a day that I normally would have worked. Our trainer decided to play capture the flag and of course I was extremely motivated to get that flag! The first couple runs I did really well passing a couple girls and even a guy who couldn't catch me in my sprint! ha! (yes, I'm bragging....a little) But then it happened. I ran again and after I got past a couple people, I saw the girl up ahead of me and could tell she was going to block me. So I sprinted straight for her as fast as I could and then did the quick cutting movement... to the left.... and then to the right... and then... What???!!!!! Flat on the ground!!!! As I cut from left back to right, it felt like everything in my knee blew up!!! It was excruciating!!! But as my trainer questioned me, he said he didn't think I tore my ACL. Well a week later I had a bad feeling so I had one of our ortho doctors at work look at it and he gave me the bad news. A friend recommended Dr. Bothwell and so I immediately called and made an appt. The next week I had an Xray and then an MRI which confirmed that I did indeed tear my ACL!! Well we set surgery for after our NC trip. So on August 18th I had surgery at Harris Southwest in Fort Worth. From beginning to end I had a great experience and I'm forever grateful to my friend who recommended Dr. Bothwell. Every person who asked me who I was having do my surgery confirmed that he is the best! Loved him and his staff!!
my beautiful knees via XR! haha
Waiting for surgery....
So here is the set up I was in for about a month after surgery. All wrapped up, a brace, an iceman (continual ice water flow to keep inflammation down. Sean had to keep these Ice blocks changed out throughout the day) and the continual motion machine. Fun fun!
But this is what I would wake up to every morning! Not so bad!
She hung out with me a lot on the couch the first few days that I was not getting around much
I was so grateful to my friends who took time to come over and keep me and Emery company. Emery loved it too since I was not much fun!
Starting to get up more on my crutches and knee immoblizer
First appt 3 days out to get my bandages changed. First time seeing my leg. EW!!!
Not too bad but it got worse as the days went on
My new leg with new wrap!
This was also the day of my first Physical Therapy appt. It was mainly a consultation. But I freaked out when the guy told me to lift my leg off the table and I couldn't even move! Could not even lift my heel a millimeter off the table! My mouth dropped to the floor! In a way, I had to train my leg to walk again. Like I said, I've never injured myself and definitely never had to rehab. So crazy!
Meagan took Emery one day
Swimming and the park with Gavin!
Bruising getting worse
Look at the difference between my calves in only 1 week!!!! It's so crazy! I measured them and my left was 3/4" smaller than my right. My thighs were the same way!
Emery liked to get in on the action too!!! haha
I hated this in the beginning, but I soon developed a love/hate relationship with it. It is the Extentionator!!!! It hyperextended my knee as much as I could stand it (to the point of pain!) with ice for ten minutes at the end of every PT session. I started out with PT twice a week for 2 months and then went to once a week for 4 months.
Healing very well and looks even better now!
I was so excited when Kylie (my Physical Therapist and now friend) started me on the bike! I was sooooo slow but it felt SO good!!!
My new walking brace! Yippee!! (yah that excitement didn't last long. I wasn't very compliant with wearing this as it wasn't usually very comfortable. My physical therapist said if they had it their way, they wouldn't require it, so I cheated most days. But I was careful!)
At first Emery never came with me to my 2 hour PT sessions. But once Sean was working again I had no choice. But she loved it and was always so good! Sometimes she was content watching the ipad or playing games......
..... but other times she liked to be working out with me! lol
She caught a picture of me on the slider. I loved this thing! Felt like I was speed skating!
It has been a journey and it definitely threw me for a loop, as I couldn't work out like I used to. A week after surgery, I even found myself depressed and cried for two days. But it made me realize once again that I can do anything! God has made me strong in mind and body! It has been an incredible experience to see the rehab in myself from surgery to fully recovered. I love saying that I had an athletic injury!!! Sounds silly, but I never did century bike rides, half marathon runs, bootcamps, mudruns and more in my teens and 20's. So to accomplish these things now means so much to me! You truly can do anything you put your mind to, even in your 40's! A few months ago, I registered myself for the Dallas Hot Chocolate 5K run. And on February 6th I did it with my best time yet!! I'm stronger than ever! And so grateful for this challenge!
Dallas Hot Chocolate 5K 2016
