Matt's torn ACL and upcoming surgery

by Matt
(Central New York)

Pretty standard story here. I was sparring (I'm a black belt in karate) on February 28, 2007. Landed from a double kick on my left leg, felt the infamous pop, and landed in a heap on the floor. To make a long story short it took months and a round of PT to get my ROM back to normal. By July 2008 I felt pretty good until I had the same pop playing volleyball. It hasn't been the same since. In January 2009 I was officially diagnosed with a torn ACL.

After way too much research, procrastination, and worrying I scheduled a surgery. I am getting a hamstring reconstruction on 28 September. Naturally I am flipping out about all of this. Maybe a little too much. Any advice on what to do about my anxiety? How about things I can do to make the experience better? I need some more positive stories. I've spend 8 months reading and talking to people about how awful of an experience ACL reconstruction can be.