One Year Ago Today

One year ago today was one of the most devastating days of my life. One year ago - Liz tore her ACL. Looking back on that day, I knew it was bad as soon as it happened.

I remember running down to the field (yes, I ran), and seeing her. When I looked up at all of her teammates, most of them were crying - which makes me think, they knew too.

Today, I feel - well, I don't know how I feel. I have mixed emotions.... I feel like the hard part is over-but that it isn't over. I wonder if it ever will be?

Every time she falls, I watch her- and only her- to make sure she's not limping. During one game, she was limping... and I was so worried about her knee, I could hardly stand it... - but it wasn't her knee... it was this:

Who on earth would be happy about blisters like this?  (Answer - Me.)

 I try to make sure that she is still working to build her strength, but I've slacked off on some things. I'm not quite the ice nazi anymore. I don't even bring it up and neither does she... So there's no icing happening. That's not good. #rehabfail

In January, she was given the go-ahead to quit wearing the brace, except when she's skiing (Water or snow - luckily, we don't do either of those things.)

After shedding the brace, it was like watching a totally different player. And instead of seeing just glimmers of the "old" Liz, you could see shades of the old Tank. Eight weeks later, I can see improvements. In some areas, she's better now than she was prior to the injury.

This new team is no joke. It's definitely required a lifestyle change. Commuting to/from practice has become study hall. The upside - auxiliary lighting in the car while driving doesn't bother me at all anymore. The players on the team have been nice. The parents have been nice. Traveling has been fun and compared to the old team, there has been a lot of it. Liz likes her coach. He seems to be a straight shooter and that works for Liz. Expectations are high.

I have seen some really pretty soccer over the past few months - sometimes when I witness it, I think... Did that just happen? And if Liz was part of that chain reaction, I feel certain that our move to the new team was the right one.

But anyway... Back to the injury... Over the past year, I have noticed so many more ACL injuries. They were probably always there, but now when I hear about them, it makes my stomach hurt because I know how their life is about to change.

Since this time last year, I have known two adults and three teenagers that have sustained the same injury. One girl, on our new team, has torn hers twice in less than a year. I feel so bad for her.

And for her parents. Like I've said before, rehabbing this injury is like a second job. It's so hard-especially when you (me) have anxiety issues.

Anywho...Liz has come a long way and she's still going. She doesn't always love it. But for the most part she does it. Staying strong now is just as important as getting to this point.(Uggh.)

Check out the pictures below... I swear, this is the last calf muscle pictures I will post.

This is one week post op.




This is from the last week in February.

Definite change. Definite progress. 

I wish that this had never happened to her. But it has shown me another side of her to be proud of.  And that's not a bad thing.