Day 13
May 31, 2009
Today I took off the brace and haven't used it all day. Knee feels good, still a little swelling in the joint, but feels stable walking without the brace.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Day 11
May 29, 2009
Today was my first visit to the orthopedic surgeon since the surgery. He gave the ok to unlock the brace (although I've had it unlocked for a few days), and gave me permission to wean myself off the brace as I see fit, which really surprised me. Doing a lot of reading and asking others about their surgery, I found most people were in their brace for at least 4-6 weeks, if not longer. Knee was solid and he was happy with my progression over the first 11 days.
May 29, 2009
Today was my first visit to the orthopedic surgeon since the surgery. He gave the ok to unlock the brace (although I've had it unlocked for a few days), and gave me permission to wean myself off the brace as I see fit, which really surprised me. Doing a lot of reading and asking others about their surgery, I found most people were in their brace for at least 4-6 weeks, if not longer. Knee was solid and he was happy with my progression over the first 11 days.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Reconstruction/Surgery Day
May 18, 2009
Today is the big day. I slept better than what I thought I would and wasn't nervous about the surgery. I arrived at the hospital at 5:00 am in good spirits and joked around with the nursing staff. I spent 2 hours in pre-surgery prep where they shaved, cleaned, and prepped me for surgery. In the pre-surgery room I started to get a little nervous only because every nurse had several questions and explained what their role was in the whole procedure. All I really wanted was to get it over with.
I don't remember much going into the surgery room or in the post op room. In the surgery room, I remember rolling into the room, looking around briefly and then the I was out from the anesthesia. In the post op room I woke up to a conversation of a nurse looking to buy a house. I tried to sell myself to her as a REALTOR, but I was so drugged up I'm sure it didn't make sense.
The surgery itself took less than an hour an a half. I elected to have a hamstring graft done to reconstruct the ACL, had some lateral meniscus removed, and MCL patched up.
When I arrived back to the room I was wide awake and hungry. There was zero pain or discomfort from the surgery, mainly from the nerve block and morphine still in my system. I pounded some graham crackers and apple juice. I was released about 12:00 in the afternoon.
Returning home I was wide awake all afternoon. I had zero pain due to the nerve block still blocking the pain. Sleeping the first night was a little awkward with the large post op brace, but I was able to get a good nights sleep.
I had a wonderful girl take care of me all day. She woke up early to get me to the hospital, took me home, bought me groceries and made my meals for the week. She truly was a life saver.
Today is the big day. I slept better than what I thought I would and wasn't nervous about the surgery. I arrived at the hospital at 5:00 am in good spirits and joked around with the nursing staff. I spent 2 hours in pre-surgery prep where they shaved, cleaned, and prepped me for surgery. In the pre-surgery room I started to get a little nervous only because every nurse had several questions and explained what their role was in the whole procedure. All I really wanted was to get it over with.
I don't remember much going into the surgery room or in the post op room. In the surgery room, I remember rolling into the room, looking around briefly and then the I was out from the anesthesia. In the post op room I woke up to a conversation of a nurse looking to buy a house. I tried to sell myself to her as a REALTOR, but I was so drugged up I'm sure it didn't make sense.
The surgery itself took less than an hour an a half. I elected to have a hamstring graft done to reconstruct the ACL, had some lateral meniscus removed, and MCL patched up.
When I arrived back to the room I was wide awake and hungry. There was zero pain or discomfort from the surgery, mainly from the nerve block and morphine still in my system. I pounded some graham crackers and apple juice. I was released about 12:00 in the afternoon.
Returning home I was wide awake all afternoon. I had zero pain due to the nerve block still blocking the pain. Sleeping the first night was a little awkward with the large post op brace, but I was able to get a good nights sleep.
I had a wonderful girl take care of me all day. She woke up early to get me to the hospital, took me home, bought me groceries and made my meals for the week. She truly was a life saver.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The MRI Results and weeks leading up to surgery
May 4th - May 18th (pre op Doctor's visits, MRI, ect)
During this time I spent time researching who to go see for the diagnosis. I elected to go with Doctor Harris at Nebraska Orthopedics. He was highly recommended by several people that I talked to, even though he's been at Nebraska Orthopedics for less than a year. My MRI came back with a complete tear in my ACL, a tear in MCL, and cartilage damage - there was too much swelling to confirm.
After lots of research, asking various people, and discussing with the surgeon, I elected to go with a hamstring graft. Recovery begins a lot faster with a hamstring graft and it came recommended from the doctor.
I wanted to get into surgery as fast as possible to help with the post surgery recovery. I wanted my quad and hamstring to still be in good shape going into the surgery. We set surgery date for May 18th at 7am.
During this time I spent time researching who to go see for the diagnosis. I elected to go with Doctor Harris at Nebraska Orthopedics. He was highly recommended by several people that I talked to, even though he's been at Nebraska Orthopedics for less than a year. My MRI came back with a complete tear in my ACL, a tear in MCL, and cartilage damage - there was too much swelling to confirm.
After lots of research, asking various people, and discussing with the surgeon, I elected to go with a hamstring graft. Recovery begins a lot faster with a hamstring graft and it came recommended from the doctor.
I wanted to get into surgery as fast as possible to help with the post surgery recovery. I wanted my quad and hamstring to still be in good shape going into the surgery. We set surgery date for May 18th at 7am.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
How It Happened
May 2, 2009
Today was the first game of the football season, we were playing a pre-season charity game in Platsmouth, NE against the Omaha Raiders. Everything was going great, felt fast, conditioned, and happy to be playing the game that I love most, but haven't played in a few years. Returning to the football field has been a dream, a goal of mine since the day I quit at Northwest Missouri State. I was taking full advantage while it lasted. But that dream to return was really short lived, all that hard work for the year was down the drain in a matter of a couple minutes into the 2nd quarter.
I was returning a punt from the far sideline back to the middle of the field. As I reached the middle of the field I went to spin running full speed. My foot stuck into the ground as I planted, my momentum & weight shifted over the knee causing it to buckle. I felt and heard a pop followed by a sharp pain in the knee. It was probably the worst pain I felt in my life for about 30 seconds to a minute. I laid on the ground wanting to get up, but couldn't. The coaches and trainers came out to assist, but by the time they got out there the pain was gone. The adreneline had kicked in and I didn't feel any pain. After getting checked out on the field I jogged off to the sideline, thinking I might be alright.
I sat out a few series, running and cutting on the sideline, without any problems. I was beggining to think nothing was wrong, and I'd be fine. First play back was a passing play and I felt full speed without any pain in that knee. However, the next play was a different story. I went to block and as I slowed up the knee buckled on me and at that point I knew there was major damage.
Knee a few hours after injury:
Today was the first game of the football season, we were playing a pre-season charity game in Platsmouth, NE against the Omaha Raiders. Everything was going great, felt fast, conditioned, and happy to be playing the game that I love most, but haven't played in a few years. Returning to the football field has been a dream, a goal of mine since the day I quit at Northwest Missouri State. I was taking full advantage while it lasted. But that dream to return was really short lived, all that hard work for the year was down the drain in a matter of a couple minutes into the 2nd quarter.
I was returning a punt from the far sideline back to the middle of the field. As I reached the middle of the field I went to spin running full speed. My foot stuck into the ground as I planted, my momentum & weight shifted over the knee causing it to buckle. I felt and heard a pop followed by a sharp pain in the knee. It was probably the worst pain I felt in my life for about 30 seconds to a minute. I laid on the ground wanting to get up, but couldn't. The coaches and trainers came out to assist, but by the time they got out there the pain was gone. The adreneline had kicked in and I didn't feel any pain. After getting checked out on the field I jogged off to the sideline, thinking I might be alright.
I sat out a few series, running and cutting on the sideline, without any problems. I was beggining to think nothing was wrong, and I'd be fine. First play back was a passing play and I felt full speed without any pain in that knee. However, the next play was a different story. I went to block and as I slowed up the knee buckled on me and at that point I knew there was major damage.
Knee a few hours after injury:
Friday, May 1, 2009
Pre-Injury
Before the injury, at age 27 I was in the best shape I've been in my life. I was 5'10" 187 lbs with 6% body fat. I felt the fastest and quickest I've been since my early 20's. Leading up to the football season I did a lot of conditioning, weight lifting, and preparing myself for the long season of football and fast pitch softball ahead of me. I was squatting 405 x 5, benching 355x3, and was at all-time highs in all my lifts.
Ever since I quit football at Northwest Missouri State I've wanted to get back playing the game I love. That has been my biggest regret in my entire life, and I never forgave myself for that decision I made when I was 22 years old.
I've played flag football for the previous 4 seasons, but it still meet the joys and highs of full contact. I found the Nebraska Renegades by luck from a flyer posted in a downtown Lincoln bar. Using the fact that I wanted to use this opportunity to forgive myself for quitting college, I worked harder than I ever had in my life.
Ever since I quit football at Northwest Missouri State I've wanted to get back playing the game I love. That has been my biggest regret in my entire life, and I never forgave myself for that decision I made when I was 22 years old.
I've played flag football for the previous 4 seasons, but it still meet the joys and highs of full contact. I found the Nebraska Renegades by luck from a flyer posted in a downtown Lincoln bar. Using the fact that I wanted to use this opportunity to forgive myself for quitting college, I worked harder than I ever had in my life.
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