Saturday, February 15, 2014

My journey, thus far.

I'm not one to usually post blogs, but after being inspired by this MPFL reconstruction blog, I thought it may be helpful for others going through this to have an idea of what they're getting into. My story began as a 16 year old high school senior and avid tennis player, until one day my knee betrayed me. Ever since that dislocation almost nine years ago, I have struggled through five major rehabs, two surgeries and more trips to the ortho surgeon/PT then many make in their lifetime. I was in my usual cycle- working out, feeling good, until I did something most people consider normal and got hurt, bowling of all things. After another few weeks on crutches and feeling completely useless, my doctor broached the idea of another surgery. While I'm a believer in things coming in threes, I also wanted to stay as far away from the operating room as possible. Plus, the whole idea of reconnecting my kneecap to my thigh bone sounded painful and well, awful. However, after numerous second opinions, soul searching and agonizing over my decision, I decided to have an MPFL reconstruction on April 2.

As April 2 gets closer, I am definitely experiencing a version of "buyer's remorse"- will the surgery work? Will I be in less pain or will I be in more pain? Will I be able to run outdoors again? Will tennis be in my future? I am scared, I feel guilty for putting my parents through another few weeks of basically doing everything for me, and I wonder if I'm making the right decision. As I finish up my last full quarter of graduate school, prepare to move back to California, and get ready for all the unknowns ahead, I am hopeful that this blog will in some small way, make a difference for someone else having to make the same decision I did.