First 4 days

Hi,

I wanted to give you a quick napshot of what the first few days is like. On teh day of surgery I went to St. francis hospital. I did all the paper work, changed into the gown and sat in the waiting room. Dr. Lewis came in at 9:15 and marked my knees (The bad knee gets YES and good one gets NO).

After that they took you to operation room. I ws out by 11. the whole procedure took about an hour. i was allowed to leave at 12:30 and at home by 2pm. They had put so many drugs in my leg that i couldn't feel anything. I just slept on my bed with the ice machine tied to me knee to prevent it from swelling. My friend Jennifer caqme to stay overnight.

Next morning (Friday) when i work p my left knee was just big blob and I had to use my hands to get my feet off the bed and put them on ground. I knew it was going to be a bad day the moment I got up. I used the bathroom ate something and took my painkillers. I spent the entire day sleeping and icing my legs. Everytime I had to move my leg I was in extruciating pain.

The following day sat I felt a lot better. I still have pain when I move my legs but it was lot more bearable. I was able to love with crutches a lot more easily. I had friends visit me throughtout the day. On sunday the 4th day everyone came to watch football and it was good to see everyone. I feel I am getting stronger and bettre everyday :-)

Day before the surgery

Hi everyone,

Today I went for my pre-surgery checkup - blood pressure, temp etc. They checked my knee other than some swelling they thought I was in fantastic shape and should recover faster than most patients after the surgery (take a look at the pictuer at left. the left knee was 3 times the right knee day after the injury).

They walk you thru the whole process. The waiting room, recovery room and surgery process. They also do the blood test and other tests. They require this so you don't have to go thru them on the day of the surgery. One of the thing they kept on insisting is to never enter the operation room if my knees are not marked with YES (surgery knee) and NO. I am so ready for this surgery.

I'll be spending lot of time on bed doing the rehab, icing my legs etc. I plan setting up a camp in my living room. Last night I moved the furniture and setup my living room for long term stay. I also stocked up on DVD's, odawalls, snackable foods etc. (everyone recomended that)

Well you are probably wondering what am I doing Tonight? I am shaving my legs and do my last load of laundry ;-)

One Month later

Happy New Year!

Let's hope 2009 is injury free for me and everyone else. So it's been 1 month since I tore my ACL. On the day of the injury I never thought I'll be able to walk or do any exercise for while. We have a come long way. I can walk without crutches, sit on stationary bike for 40 minutes. I am also doing a pre-surgery rehab 3 times day. I am at a point I can pretty much at the same strength level as pre-surgery.

I have been doing lot of reserach on the ACL surgery and spoke to few people who have gone thru it. Lot of good info, on getting ready for surgery. I think I am overloaded with info and to-do and don't for pre and post surgery. I am taking the following week off. I'll have good 10 days of rest & rehab at home before I come back to work.

One of the warning I got from everyone is to make not to put on lot of weight. I am watching what I eat. I fell off the wagon during the holidays, but now back on wagon.

The first 2 weeks after the injury

HI everyone,

It's been 4 weeks since the injury. I know I had to go thru the surgery but my doctor won't do the surgery during the holidays. She also wanted to make sure that I go thru some rehab before the surgery to make sure I have my strength back.

I started with Statinory bike for 15 minutes 5 times aweek. The 1st day was absolutley painful i could barely be on bike for 5 minutes before stopping. Within a week I was able to be on statinoary bike for 20 minutes. After 2 weks I can do 450 minutes at almost 90% of the paceand intensity before the surgery :-) Yeehay

I also started some pre-surgery rehab: These include Knee extension and Quad sets. straight leg raises etc. The purpose is to strengthen your Quads and hamstrings.
http://www.aclsolutions.com/rehab_1.php

They are fun the 1St few times but really boring afterwards. I keep doing them since well I have no choice.