My ACL Reconstruction in the USA, after a fialed emergency surgery in Mexico
by Elizabeth
(Salem, Oregon, USA)
This was after my first surgery in Mexico, and when swellign finally started to go down.
I was on a mission in Mexico last year and was running alot. I was training for a marathon,and did several 10K's and a half marathon to raise money for the kids at the orphanage where I worked. After a big race, some friends and I decided to go to a rodeo. I have been around and trained horses my whole life, so it was no big deal to jump on my friends buckskin gelding and warm him up - until a motorcycle screached past. The horse bucked and took off, leaving me in a pile on the ground.
I ended up getting an emergency surgery in Mexico. The doctor told me he would fix the meniscus and the ACL, but after a 20 minute surgery he said, "I left the damaged ACL alone, you will be fine to walk, but never run or ride horses again." I was devastated. I recovered poorly - no ice, no physical therapy, and miles away from home.
Finally, I got back to the USA and got medical insurance. I was told my ACL definitely needs to be replaced, as it is ruining the joint and cartilage. So I am scheduled for another surgery, this time the real deal, on March 1st.
Has anyone else been told first they should not have the surgery and then been told by a 2nd doctor that it is imperative to have?? Thoughts? I'm so scared!
