Rugger's ACL- Surgery next week

by Michelle
(Oakland, CA)

I just graduated from UCSC last year, I was Forward's captain for the rugby team. Well, I went back to play the alumni match this year in May and apparently my mind still wanted to play like I trained twice a day but my body and my knees thought differently. It was also bad that my ride was late, and they had waited for me to commence kickoff, so I basically tore out of the car and didn't warm up, forgot to wrap my ankles, the whole shabam. I usually had a whole pre-game ritual, and just forgot from all the excitement. (Remember to wrap and warm up, kids!) Anyways, I had a breakaway, was heading up the field when- my ankle rolled in pot hole and I heard my knee do a sickening POP! I was more angry at the time that it was going to be an amazing play and I mucked it up- and then I got terrified that it was my ACL and I wouldn't be able to play. I was planning to try out for an international side, and that won't be happening this year.

It turns out I have a full ACL tear and meniscus torn-this is something I found out 4 months later. Initially, I didn't even go to a hospital immediately because my work benefits hadn't kicked in, and I was uninsured. After a few more days of excruciating pain whenever I moved, I went to a hospital that catered to uninsured people- they couldn't tell me anything, so after 6 hours of waiting and one and a half minutes of consultation I went home to return in another 6 weeks. Needless to say, after all the bureaucracy and hurting it AGAIN after a month and being on crutches another 2 weeks or so- I finally have surgery scheduled next week, if my surgeon doesn't cancel(knock on wood). It will be almost 5 months to the date. I have been stationary biking and stretching and lifting weights, though no running or stairs- and worst of all, no rugby. I'm hoping to make an expedited recovery, to stay positive, to get back to where I want to be after this detour. I have had plenty of teammates who have torn their ACL's its almost a rite of passage in contact sports and being female. I know a few people who have started running after 2 months, and others who took a bit longer, but are on the right path regardless. I'm excited for surgery, because it is the beacon of progress at this state. I haven't ran since that day in May and being a gymaholic and an athlete it has shown me a new meaning of patience and discipline..and gratitude for how incredible our bodies really are. All I can do is stay positive, have a beer, watch the sunset and keep trying to get better. I hope there are others out there in the same spot who will stay positive, and write back with your time being injured. Cheers :)