December 30, 2013

It’s a new blog.  My other site is dedicated to training and racing and other fun stuff so I thought it would be good to start something different to chronicle my recovery from a torn ACL and a return to racing and Kona (please, please, please) in October 2014 and skiing. BTW, thank you Troy for the blog name - perfect!

I’ve always heard that you know when you’ve torn your ACL.  It’s supposed to sound like a “pop”.  And anyone I have ever talked to about it says…..you just know.  Right away…

After 37 years of skiing with only 2 minor injuries, I finally did the BIG one.  It was a beautiful day and I was planning on skiing aggressively (like I ski any other way) with a new ski friend.  And, at one of my favorite areas A-Basin.  I had skied 2 days before with my girls and was ready to just pound it!!  I couldn’t wait! 

3^rd run of the day…..a few turns in and all of a sudden I am in the middle of a fall.  Which is really strange since I NEVER EVER fall. Seriously, ask my friends…..I just don’t fall.  And then the fall turns very bad and scary and I’m heading downhill backwards and I’m gaining speed.  And then I heard it.  It wasn’t a pop.  It was more of a tearing, pop-y kinda sound.  But it wasn’t that distinct pop I had always heard about (maybe it was) so my denial of what had actually happened kicked in – within 10 seconds.  (OK, fine. It was a pop) Nice.

Of course, I stood up right away…..I’m with a new ski friend!!!  I don’t want the day to be over let alone my season (ski and otherwise).  No, no, no!  So I skied down.  I skied OK but I felt the instability.  At this point I think I’m probably in a state of shock.  This can’t possibly be happening…..I really fucked up my knee.  I head up the stairs to the lodge and it’s already becoming stiff and hard to move.  And felt some more instability walking to a table (think knee buckling on the inside).

I called my dad.  I called my ortho.  I did not call Sonja.  I talked to ski patrol.  And although everyone knows what has happened, no one actuallty says those 3 ugly letters outloud.  (shhhhh…..it’s the ACL)

So yes, there have been tears.  The inevitable why me? Poor me? Blah blah blah.  I’ll never ski again, I won’t be able to go to Kona, no riding in France this summer.  Not to mention, how am I going to manage my Wildtree business if I’m on crutches??? (still working on this)

I spend New Year’s Eve at the doctor and then getting an MRI.  Dad read it (major advantage of having a radiologist as my dad) and confirmed what we already knew it was.  And then he said it out loud.  The ACL is fully torn along with a beautiful partial tear of the MCL and some major bone bruising. From one stupid fall. AWESOME!!! 

Friday I go in for the “official” diagnosis and treatment plan.  I shut down WebMD because the recovery times seem to be far too long for me to keep my sanity.  My doctor rocks (Dr. Phil Stull FYI) and I’m sure I’ll be having surgery soon. And then another round of the “poor me’s”, “why me’s” blah blah blah. 

Here we go…..this should be quite an interesting journey.  Fortunately, my Dr. does rock and understands the mindset of an athlete (TypeA, B, C….).  He gave me permission to swim with a pull buoy and that's about it.  Maybe I should enter the state swim meet in March???