One Month Down: I was told this would be hard...

Well, here I am one month out from surgery. When I first found out my knee was blown I was told story after story of pain and suffering. I was told this would be the hardest time of my life to this point. I was told the story of a 225lb. running back crying on a daily basis. I was told the story of a tennis player who lost all faith in herself and never made it back to the top. I was told I WOULD BE TESTED. The first thing that ran through my mind when I was told how hard this was going to be was how minor this actually is. I am not in a fight for my life, I just have to deal with a few months of hard work. It has helped keep the entire thing in perspective and helped me to stay motivated.

I have seen pain and suffering before. An ACL tear is nothing compared to what I have seen first hand. I have seen friends' lives change after horrible accidents, a couple of times in fact. I have helped a friend through a recovery in which he could not get out of his own bed 7 months later to take a piss. I have visited another friend once a month in the hospital only to not be recognized each time for 10 months. I have seen accidents change close friends lives and have seen them be tested, really tested. I have been a shoulder to cry on for a 22 year old guy... multiple times. I have taught a 19 year old things he knew when he was 10... These guys were being tested. Every time I start to feel sorry for myself or think about how much something hurts I think about these two people that I know very well. Each of them will never be the same, but they both are now making the most out of their lives. They both have to live with their accidents and injuries every day, and will for the rest of their lives. I tore my fricken' ACL, BIG DEAL! This is a cake walk in comparison. If I am in fact being tested, I am glad I already understand how much worse things could be. I am rehabbing to ski again, these guys rehabbed to be able to hold a spoon and sit up in a bed. I have seen sweat pouring out of my friends forehead while he was trying to learn how to use his fingers 6 months after his accident. I have the greatest respect in the world for these two kids and they both are helping me get through this more than they could possibly imagine. I would just like to say thanks to Mitch and Josie, for showing me how to fight.

Alright, back to the me and my bum knee. This past week has gone very well. I have added new exercises and seen large gains in my overall comfort level. I am lifting, balancing, squatting, and have achieved full extension. Many exercises I thought I was not going to be able to perform for another month are being added daily with no pain. My knee is progressing very well and I am excited each day when I am able to push myself harder and harder. Here is a list of the exercises that have been added this week:

Exercise Bike @ full-resistance, I am even standing doing intervals when I feel comfortable.

Bosu Ball Squats

Leg Press @ 85 lbs. (single leg)

Single Leg Balance(foam pad) while playing catch with med-ball

Sport Cord Walk Outs (around my waist) - each side and backwards

I have also started adding more and more resistance to each of the exercises I have been doing up until this week. My workouts are now getting longer and much more strenuous... I wouldn't have it any other way.

The big thing this week which has helped kick start my recovery is the biking. I had been spinning with no resistance for a few weeks now and it is great to be able to kick it up and really work now. In a couple weeks I will be able to start riding outdoors which I have been looking forward to for a long time.