Last month I hurt myself playing soccer.
It was the one injury I was worried about, the one I was trying to avoid at all costs (I was trying to make it until my birthday--playing has hurt more lately, and I had been considering retirement).
I blew out my left knee. Shredded ACL, sprained MCL, torn quadricep, three meniscus tears, giant cartilage tear, multiple bone bruises. It was pretty terrible.
I had surgery four days after my injury to reconstruct my knee. I had my ACL replaced, one meniscus tear repaired (two others shaved down) and the cartilage flap removed and my bone punctured in order to created pseudocartilage. Rehabilitation has been slow and painful. I use crutches to walk (Elena's next size up loft strands, actually) and had great difficulty getting around the house and taking care of myself. I have therapy twice a week, and do exercises around the clock.
It's been a real eye-opener. The difficulty in dressing, bathing, carrying, and general instability has made me more sympathetic--and proud--of Elena and how she has struggled and coped with her disability. We've had some great talks about this, and she has seen me stretch, do home PT, and cry from pain and frustration. She is more helpful around the house and does more for herself. She is also quite proud of the fact that she is currently faster than me. I'm trying to be a model of safe choices (using crutches around the house to avoid falls), standing tall and straight, and diligently doing my PT exercises. Elena definitely is picking up on this.
The worst of my pain is from the bony procedures (ACL attachment and cartilage removal/"repair"). I've broken bones before, but not on a joint--it's bad. I am so super thankful we didn't go through with the osteotomy procedure we were considering earlier this year...I understand sometimes there isn't a choice, but I can now imagine how badly that hurts. I have had serious pain management issues, and will remember to address this for Elena's future procedures.
I expect to return to full (or near full) mobility in four to six months. Elena is keeping close watch on my efforts and attitude, so I am doing my best to be a good example. Jason is being SuperDad, taking over nearly all house and kid duties. I'm very thankful to family and friends for such a great support system.
Showing posts with label injury. Show all posts
Showing posts with label injury. Show all posts
Monday, April 20, 2015
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
School of Hard Knocks
Elena's had a tough week.
She's been a little "rickety" lately. Less control (or effort) when stopping in space, knees buckling deeper, on tiptoes constantly, leaning hard into her crutches to stand. It's a 'gross motor regression' phase. I see this more often when she's growing, when she's sick, or when she's overly tired.
Because I know this, I try to anticipate growth issues by planning doctor's visits in advance, or try to give her breaks or rests in the hopes of making this period as short as possible. I'm behind schedule.
Elena had a bad fall at home this week. Vivian had moved her bed stepstool to her dresser, and for whatever reason, Elena "twist and fell" (most likely because she only had her left foot down when she lost her balance) and slammed her head, just behind her left ear, on the stool edge. She managed to get out with a nice bruise and a bad scrape behind her ear (it would have been worse--her protective response when falling is decent now). But, we found out later, the location of her injury made wearing her glasses painful. (Her glasses prescription is mainly for esotropia; one lens corrects slight farsightedness.) I figured, two days without her glasses should let the scrape heal enough to wear her glasses again.
The next day at school, Elena had two more falls, resulting in reinjury behind her left ear and repeated bruising on both forearms. One fall was the result of a student running from a bee--Elena said she "tried to move out of the way" but the collision seemed to be a rough one. The other fall I think was due to carelessness/tiredness/lack of awareness on Elena's part, or classmates, or both. Either way, those falls are confidence crushers. Falling with loftstrand crutches is a messy business...because of the cuffs, E's arms are pretty banged up, and they complicates her protective response--regardless of the impact terrain (playground steps? Black top? Probably not grass...).
She was a mess at home...just really upset. Embarrassed about falling/crying in front of her classmates, frustrated at the student(s) that caused one of the falls, sad that she has to deal with this, and physically hurt. We tried to be supportive, caring, loving...but aside from that, what can I do? I started thinking...
She's probably growing. Just last weekend I had raised her crutches up another notch (I should have done that SO much sooner!). She's dragging her right foot so much it's wearing out the sole of her shoe...maybe she needs a different shoe? Her old pair didn't do this as quickly--but she also wasn't moving as much or as fast as she is now. Either way, I figured E needed a new pair of shoes. And probably a new pair of SureSteps (the plastic support part that goes in her KiddieGait in her shoe)--her orthotist said she didn't need them right away, but I bet she's overdue now. And I'm sure the lack of glasses wasn't helping the fall situation.
The next morning (today) wearing glasses was out of the question...she was more swollen than before (nothing serious, just really uncomfortable for wearing glasses--this injury is just really in a bad spot). Her teacher Mr. M and her aide were extra vigilant in trying to avoid another fall. E did fall in P.E. today-but it was most likely due to carelessness on her part (didn't slow down before entering a room full of running people--she knows better) but that didn't seem to faze her, she was fine. Mr. M did tell me that Elena nearly walked right into a table--which screams to me that she needs her glasses on--she probably didn't have any peripheral vision on one side b/c one of her eyes drifted. *sigh*
One of our mantras is "Everybody Falls". Not everyone is peppered in bruises, though. Elena prides herself on being a "tough cookie"--which she totally is...but girl needs a break. Here's hoping for a bit of an injury reprieve before summer vacation!
She's been a little "rickety" lately. Less control (or effort) when stopping in space, knees buckling deeper, on tiptoes constantly, leaning hard into her crutches to stand. It's a 'gross motor regression' phase. I see this more often when she's growing, when she's sick, or when she's overly tired.
Because I know this, I try to anticipate growth issues by planning doctor's visits in advance, or try to give her breaks or rests in the hopes of making this period as short as possible. I'm behind schedule.
Elena had a bad fall at home this week. Vivian had moved her bed stepstool to her dresser, and for whatever reason, Elena "twist and fell" (most likely because she only had her left foot down when she lost her balance) and slammed her head, just behind her left ear, on the stool edge. She managed to get out with a nice bruise and a bad scrape behind her ear (it would have been worse--her protective response when falling is decent now). But, we found out later, the location of her injury made wearing her glasses painful. (Her glasses prescription is mainly for esotropia; one lens corrects slight farsightedness.) I figured, two days without her glasses should let the scrape heal enough to wear her glasses again.
The next day at school, Elena had two more falls, resulting in reinjury behind her left ear and repeated bruising on both forearms. One fall was the result of a student running from a bee--Elena said she "tried to move out of the way" but the collision seemed to be a rough one. The other fall I think was due to carelessness/tiredness/lack of awareness on Elena's part, or classmates, or both. Either way, those falls are confidence crushers. Falling with loftstrand crutches is a messy business...because of the cuffs, E's arms are pretty banged up, and they complicates her protective response--regardless of the impact terrain (playground steps? Black top? Probably not grass...).
She was a mess at home...just really upset. Embarrassed about falling/crying in front of her classmates, frustrated at the student(s) that caused one of the falls, sad that she has to deal with this, and physically hurt. We tried to be supportive, caring, loving...but aside from that, what can I do? I started thinking...
She's probably growing. Just last weekend I had raised her crutches up another notch (I should have done that SO much sooner!). She's dragging her right foot so much it's wearing out the sole of her shoe...maybe she needs a different shoe? Her old pair didn't do this as quickly--but she also wasn't moving as much or as fast as she is now. Either way, I figured E needed a new pair of shoes. And probably a new pair of SureSteps (the plastic support part that goes in her KiddieGait in her shoe)--her orthotist said she didn't need them right away, but I bet she's overdue now. And I'm sure the lack of glasses wasn't helping the fall situation.
The next morning (today) wearing glasses was out of the question...she was more swollen than before (nothing serious, just really uncomfortable for wearing glasses--this injury is just really in a bad spot). Her teacher Mr. M and her aide were extra vigilant in trying to avoid another fall. E did fall in P.E. today-but it was most likely due to carelessness on her part (didn't slow down before entering a room full of running people--she knows better) but that didn't seem to faze her, she was fine. Mr. M did tell me that Elena nearly walked right into a table--which screams to me that she needs her glasses on--she probably didn't have any peripheral vision on one side b/c one of her eyes drifted. *sigh*
One of our mantras is "Everybody Falls". Not everyone is peppered in bruises, though. Elena prides herself on being a "tough cookie"--which she totally is...but girl needs a break. Here's hoping for a bit of an injury reprieve before summer vacation!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
School of Hard Knocks
Today we had some dear friends over. They are VERY good friends, and the two kids are so sweet to E. They all play together well, and know not to pull or push E b/c she can lose her balance easily. Overall, it's just *easy* b/c everyone knows the situation, and it's just not a big deal.
And then, something happened.
The friends had to leave, so E went to the front door to open it for them (it's her new "trick"). Everyone was saying goodbyes, giving hugs as they were working their way out the door. And then little Vivian joined in, pushing her way to the door--and like dominoes, everyone shifted. E was the one closest to the door, and she tumbled out.
Out the door, down the one step, right onto the cobblestone, hitting her head.
I'm pretty sure she put her hand down, at least a little, to brace herself. It's one of those situations that you can see coming--and that you're *always* worried about, as a parent of a child that is prone to head injuries. But I just wasn't fast enough.
Everyone felt bad, especially Elena--I'm sure it HURT.
It makes for a tough ending to an otherwise great evening. One ice pack and 10 minutes later, E is smiling and laughing again. I wish it wasn't so rough on her. Sometimes, anyway--I don't spend too much time dwelling on it, b/c hey--this is the way it is. And truthfully, E is one tough cookie. She takes a lot of bumps and bruises. I know kids in general do, but it's just different. Accidents happen to everyone. Just more often to E.
I guess it's getting to me tonight.
UPDATE: Elena has fallen 5 times badly--head/neck injuries, this past week. She falls often, yes, but normally has the ability to protect her head/not fall too badly. One of these falls gave her a gash on her ear, and the other she impaled her neck on a bench. Obviously I am concerned. I have spoken to her docs/professionals about this...my first guess was the her shoes were too small (that is NOT the case, yet anyway); the second, was she was ill (her sister had some bug, but E never really manifested much); the third, and most likely case, is that at the end of the day, her endurance is shot and she's just too physically tired to keep up with what she wants to do. I am encouraging her to use her crutches, or take a shoe break, do a puzzle, something that does not involve walking around...
And then, something happened.
The friends had to leave, so E went to the front door to open it for them (it's her new "trick"). Everyone was saying goodbyes, giving hugs as they were working their way out the door. And then little Vivian joined in, pushing her way to the door--and like dominoes, everyone shifted. E was the one closest to the door, and she tumbled out.
Out the door, down the one step, right onto the cobblestone, hitting her head.
I'm pretty sure she put her hand down, at least a little, to brace herself. It's one of those situations that you can see coming--and that you're *always* worried about, as a parent of a child that is prone to head injuries. But I just wasn't fast enough.
Everyone felt bad, especially Elena--I'm sure it HURT.
It makes for a tough ending to an otherwise great evening. One ice pack and 10 minutes later, E is smiling and laughing again. I wish it wasn't so rough on her. Sometimes, anyway--I don't spend too much time dwelling on it, b/c hey--this is the way it is. And truthfully, E is one tough cookie. She takes a lot of bumps and bruises. I know kids in general do, but it's just different. Accidents happen to everyone. Just more often to E.
I guess it's getting to me tonight.
UPDATE: Elena has fallen 5 times badly--head/neck injuries, this past week. She falls often, yes, but normally has the ability to protect her head/not fall too badly. One of these falls gave her a gash on her ear, and the other she impaled her neck on a bench. Obviously I am concerned. I have spoken to her docs/professionals about this...my first guess was the her shoes were too small (that is NOT the case, yet anyway); the second, was she was ill (her sister had some bug, but E never really manifested much); the third, and most likely case, is that at the end of the day, her endurance is shot and she's just too physically tired to keep up with what she wants to do. I am encouraging her to use her crutches, or take a shoe break, do a puzzle, something that does not involve walking around...
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