Alexa's ACL Experience

by Alexa
(Montgomery, Vermont, US)

November 23,2009 was the day I tore my ACL. It happened during our second basketball game of the season of my 8th grade year. I got tripped, stumbled, and twisted my knee in the wrong way. I was hoping I was that hurt. That I could get right back up as usual. But this time, I couldn't get up. Once I got home it was seriously swollen. But not in that much Pain. But i knew something was wrong. As I was trying to go to bed that night, I prayed that I wouldn't need surgery.
Now usually I like going to school to see all my friends. But not the day after I fell, I limped as I walked. So I asked my mom if I could stay home instead. I cried I was so scared. I said, the one thing I'm scared of, is getting surgery. She said, "You won't need surgery. "She could tell I was worried. And set an appointment that day for a checkup. The doctor said it was probably a sprain, gave me crutches and a brace, and set me up for an Xray. The Xray showed nothing was wrong. Just some bruised bone. When I visited the doctor a week later, my knee was still swollen. She suggested I get an MRI.
The MRI made me nervous. But I felt a little better, because I would know exactly what was going on. I went to school after my MRI. I felt better to be with my friends. When I got home my mom said she had to tell me something. I wished that one of our animals got attacked. It sounds horrible, but I didnt want my knee to be totaly messed up.
"The MRI showed that you tore you ACL, your miniscus, and possibly another ligament. You'll need surgery." I couldn't believe it. As soon as she said the word "surgery" I burst in tears. I was hysterical. I kept saying over and over "This can't happen to me. Why do bad things happen to good people?" I knew I just couldn't and wouldn't have surgery. What If the surgeons messed up and ruined my knee completely? I couldn't put my life in their hands. I cried for hours. Why did this happen to me? This was my first injury, ever!
A few days later, we had an appointment with a surgeon. He is a professional with ACL injuries. He's literally done thousands of them. He comforted me. He looked at my MRI images, and said I defintely tore my ACL, and had a tiny tear in my miniscus. But that was it. He said I should get surgery, So i could return to sports fully. I decided to use a cadaver instead of hamstring. I just wanted to get healed soon as possible.
December 24, 2009. The date of my ACL surgery. And probably the most terrifying, nervewrecking days of my life. I arrived at the hospital with major nerves. My teeth were chattering, my palms were sweaty. I changed into a hospital gown, And lied down in the bed. The nurse could tell I was scared for my life. My heart was racing. And I wasn't saying much. To calm me down and make me relax, she gave me a little tablet to place under my tongue. It helped a little. The anasteshialogist came in and told me what she was going to do. Then she asked if I would Like a spinal tap, or nerve block to go with the general anesthesia. I Didn't want either. I knew i absolutely would never have the spinal tap. So my mom basically said I should get the nerve block. I finally agreed. I remember quite a bit before the surgery. But after, not as much. I remember that I was quite loopy. The surgeon said everything went well, and it turned out I didn't tear my miniscus. Just my ACL.
When I had my first follow up with the surgeon it was about a week after my surgery. I was terrified to look at my incisions. I thought they would be huge. And I'm scared of stitches, so I didn't want to look. But it turned out I got 4 tiny incisions, and I had staples instead. They removed the staples, and said everything looked great.
The whole ACL thing was never in my plans. And now that I have wear a huge brace, and be on crutches, I'm sick of it. I'm sick of being crippled. I sometimes feel Like I always will be one. Yesterday January 22, 2010 was the day of my first physical therapy session. Man was it intense. I didn't realize how serious an injury it is until I did the exercises. I will probably be able to walk in a little over a week. I'm very excited to walk again. I took it for granted. Looking back on my whole experience, I think it's made me stronger. Not physically, but emotionally. Now I know that anything can happen to a person, ecspecially when You don't see it coming. In all, the experience has been terrifying, and I have months to go until I'm fully recovered. & to think this all happened when I was only 14, it makes me feel strong.