Bad, bad news, my daughter blew her knee...

[bluesbassman]

Just got the results from the MRI: Torn ACL and miniscus. Surgery in two weeks. Going to have to take a piece from her hamstring to repair the ACL.

She's in her Junior year in HS, and now is when the college scouts are looking at players to recruit. Doc says she may be able to come back next September with lots of rehab, but she's going to miss a major window. I'm just heartbroken for her.

[Wait Wut]

1. Oh no...

...at least she has a dad that understands and supports her. It won't make it heal faster, but it can ease the pain a bit.

[bluesbassman]

3. Thanks. I'm still processing it. It's quite devastating actually.

She's very tough, and will survive of course, but it's just such a horrid stroke of bad luck.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I'm really sorry to hear that, my dear bluesbassman...

You must remember though, that injuries are part of the game. It's a tough break for sure, but she will come back from it.

And she has the vigor of youth on her side.

My best to her!

[bluesbassman]

4. Thanks Peggy. Yes, you're right, just the worst possible time.

They just started their season on the national travelling team. Played in Dallas weekend before last.

[warrprayer]

5. Best Wishes

... for a speedy recovery. Tough break.

[bluesbassman]

7. Thank you warrprayer.

[Wounded Bear]

6. Tough break, man.....hang in there....nt

[bluesbassman]

8. Thanks Wounded Bear, we will.

[Wounded Bear]

9. One thing you can tell her......

assuming she gets good care and follows her rehab well, often the repaired knee is stronger than it was before.

[bluesbassman]

12. That's true...

We have a great knee doc, one of the best in the Bay Area. He did my son's knee when he tore his miniscus playing football, and it's never givin him a lick of trouble since.

Just really bad timing.

[Ptah]

10. If she's on a national touring team, hopefully colleges are already aware of her talent.

Here's hoping a quick and full recovery.

[bluesbassman]

13. Thanks Ptah.

[MiddleFingerMom]

11. That does suck! You seem the type of person who would know...

.
.
.
... that she's going to be angry and frustrated at and with her KNEE... and since she can't really
yell at her knee, she may lash out at other targets.
.
Try to have even more empathy and compassion than you probably already do -- this is a MAJOR
catastrophe for her, quite possibly the worst in her young life so far.
.
I don't know how open she is... but you might want to ask her every once in a while HOW she's
coping.
.
.
Healing vibes to her and coping vibes to all involved.
.
.
.

[bluesbassman]

14. Thanks Brother, and good advice.

She has my temper (poor thing ) so I'm going to be on the lookout for sure. The club has a sports psychologist who hosts a support for athletes that have suffered a catastrophic injury and I will be encouraging her to take advantage of that.

[In_The_Wind]

15. That is bad news!

imo: Your daughter is beautiful!


She is young. There is still time after she heals properly.

[bluesbassman]

19. Thanks and thanks!

[Initech]

16. Ouch, I've had that happen. It sucks.

[bluesbassman]

20. Thanks Initech.

[CosmicDustBunny]

17. I remember that picture from a while back. If it might help, share this story with her.

When my wife and I were in college, one of our best friends was a guy who ran marathons, and a 10K was nothing for him. My wife and I were never runners. Anyway, he separated his tendon from his knee in a fall. They reattached it and after a long period of recovery he decided to start running again (jogging, really). We joined in to give him support.

At first we started on the 1/8th mile loop track in the gym. Over time we built up to two miles together. In two miles of running we passed at least six different "gym babes" who only spent their time stretching while slathered in makeup. I don't think they were there to exercise.

After a few months, we made it up to four miles - our limit. A month or so later, he kept going after we crapped out. He ran another 10K, but I don't think he did another marathon. Just tell her to hang in there and keep up hope and if you can, RUN WITH HER!

[bluesbassman]

21. Thanks for the support CDB.

I know she'll work hard and get it back up to speed, and stories like the one you shared will encourage her.

[CosmicDustBunny]

32. Give her a hug for me.

[lunatica]

18. The set back will really make her better

I know it's hard to take such a disappointment, but there are hundreds of people who tell you they're better people because of these kind of heartbreaking setbacks.

Hugs to your daughter, and to you too.

[bluesbassman]

22. True there, it's all in how you deal with it.

Thanks lunatica!

[DFW]

23. Of all times for that to happen!!

You must ALL be devastated. There's nothing I could say or do to make that one better. Best of luck toughing it out. It will be a long claw back, I know. Hope the stamina is there.

[bluesbassman]

24. Thank you DFW.

I'm sure after the initial shock wears off and she's had the surgery, she'll screw up her determination and make a great comeback! She's got grit that one.

[DFW]

25. It sounds like she's got it in her

And I know you've got her back, so if it's in the cards to recover from this, I'd say she has a least two of the most important people on her side: you and her own determination. Grounds for at least some cautious optimism, I'd say.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

26. Really tough...

break and injury. I am so sorry for both of you. She is young, healthy and strong and will heal with time and proper rehabilitation...which I'm sure you will see she receives.

Your hardest job may be keeping her from trying to rush rehab. The young are so impatient already, and she has the extra incentive of a potential scholarship being on the line. If you have a temper, and she has yours...may I suggest you contact the high school for any football gear they might be willing to lend you

for both of you.

[bluesbassman]

27. LOL. Thanks, may have to get the Tae Kwon Do gear down from the attic.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

28. There you go!

[mrmpa]

29. I'm hoping for the best for you and your daughter...............

I'll give you some hope about the recruitment process and this same injury that occurred to my nephew and in his junior year. He's a football player and he rehabbed and rehabbed, he was ready for football in the fall of his senior year. He was recruited by DII and DIII schools. He went to a DIII that put together a great financial aid package for him. I know that his freshman year cost his under $800 at a $33,000 a year school. He played his entire career with knee braces (a 6' 7" offensive lineman). He graduates this year with a Major in Political Science and minor in Sociology. He wants to work as a union organizer.

Tell your daughter that she has a tough job in front of her, and she has to work the program.

[bluesbassman]

36. Thanks mrmpa!

That's a great story to relay to my daughter. It is always possible to overcome injury and setback if one has the determination and drive to do it. I'm trusting that my daughter will be one of those people.

You should be very proud of your nephew. Sounds like not only a talented and dedicated athlete, but a guy with his head screwed on right too.

[Rowdyboy]

30. I wish her the best. It must be heartbreaking to face such horrible limitations

at such an early age. I don't know your daughter, but I have nothing but respect for young people today. She will most likely not only endure, she will prevail.....

[bluesbassman]

37. Thank you Rowdyboy.

I'm convinced she will indeed prevail.

[Bertha Venation]

31. Oh, shit.

I am so sorry! I hope that her friends and teammates (not to mention her family of course) surround her with love, flowers, cookies, laughter and raucous good times as she's recovering.

I know she must be heartbroken, but I'll bet she's tough!

[bluesbassman]

38. Thanks Bertha.

Absolutely. The club team she plays on has a core group that has been playing together for six years and are extremely tight. They will support and encourage her for sure.

And yeah, she's a tough one.

[Baitball Blogger]

33. I'm so sorry. Now is the time for her high school coach to step

in and start making phone calls or her private club team coach.

These things happened to my daughter early, and when I asked her ortho if they would affect her chances to play college soccer, he said, "They won't even consider her unless she has a few breaks."

It helped.

[bluesbassman]

39. Thanks BB.

Her club is really well connected in the college system. The league she plays in is basically a college showcase league and it's not uncommon for 200+ college coaches to be in attendance at one of their tournaments. I know she'll get help in reaching out to schools once she's back on the field.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[RiffRandell]

34. I'm so sorry for her!

I have knee problems due to an injury as a teenager. Everytime I hear "torn ACL" I cringe.

Good thoughts sent your way.

[bluesbassman]

40. Thank you RR.

The level of skill and treatment for this type of surgery is really amazing these days. I have friends that had similar injuys back in the day and it was way more invasive and messy.

Thanks for the good thoughts.

[indepat]

35. What a bummer. Hopefully rehab will be fully successful and she can return to

play competitively.

[bluesbassman]

41. Thanks indepat.

That's the plan.

[Kali]

42. oww!

as someone with damaged knees (first from an injury long ago and now from weight and wear) she has my immediate and sincere sympathy! Good luck with the repairs/rehabs (I never had the benefits of actual treatment) and with further accomplishments!

[bluesbassman]

43. Thanks Kali.

You'd like my daughter. Strong willed and doesn't take crap from anybody. If she applies that attitude to the injury, she'll come out fine.

[mythology]

44. Speaking from personal experience

whatever you do, when she's laying on the couch or bed after surgery, don't let the dog jump on her leg. Oh and don't be like me and forget to have her take a glass of water to bed so when she wakes up at 3 in the morning in pain after the drugs wear off, she can take more pain killers.

In my case, the most frustrating part wasn't the first few days after surgery when the raw pain was the worst. Instead it was when I was off the crutches, but my knee/thigh was really weak and would get tired so quickly.

[GreenPartyVoter]

45. Oh no! She must be heartbroken!