Me and my knee

The only negative about my trip home two weeks ago was the bad ending to my day at the lake, the 4th of July. I had been waiting all day for the water like glass, only a few boats out, and the sun close to going down. I strapped on my lifejacket . .

. . . got in the water . . .

. . . got up on one . . .

. . . stayed up on one (of course :) . . .

. . . and wiped out after hitting some very rough waves.

The wipe out was bad. My boot was on too tight and my foot would not break free! As the ski was carried with the waves, so my foot (and consequently, my knee) were taken with it. Ouch! As I sat there in the water, a wave of fear came over me. I knew I'd tore something. I tried to be optimistic - maybe it was only a sprain. But when you've been the victim of a few torn ligaments, you just know when things aren't right in there.

So I yelled, "I'm gonna try it again!" I grabbed the rope and fear grabbed me. But I told my brother to 'hit it' and he gave it some gas. It didn't take long for me to realize I WAS AN IDIOT and let go of the rope. Whatever I had done, I didn't want to make it any worse.

I swam to the boat, awkwardly climbed the ladder and took a seat inside. That was it? That was what I had been looking forward to this past year? I didn't even make it halfway around the island! And not only was my ski over, my summer was over, and I knew it. I knew my knee was busted. I silently began to cry as we drove back to the house. And I couldn't stop the tears. Not again! This would be my third time severely injuring a knee.

Three of my wonderful uncles laid hands on me and prayed, and I tried to hold back more tears and be positive. Maybe it wasn't as bad as before. Uncle Rich believed it wasn't.

Two days later, I found myself back in the exam room at OrthoWest, a place I am quite familiar with after experiencing two torn ACLs (and an MCL along with one of those injuries).

I studied the same chart I'd studied before and tried to diagnose myself before the doctor came in to see me.

I was optimistic. It didn't feel like a torn ACL. But it was a torn something.

Dr. Ray sent me for an X-ray and an MRI to confirm that his diagnosis was correct. I had torn my MCL, the ligament on the inner part of my knee. I was ecstatic! It meant no surgery, no year-long recovery, and no crutches. All it meant was six weeks in the brace and four weeks of physical therapy. Now that I can handle!

My physical therapy begins tomorrow, and I'm already walking much better. I won't lie - I'm disappointed that I can't be active this summer. I'm bummed that I can't do any cardio to stay in shape. I'm annoyed that I have to wear this nuisance of a brace. But more than all of those feelings, I am THANKFUL. It could've been worse.