An athlete’s biggest obstacle to overcome, an injury. Almost a month ago I tore my ACL. I have never had to take time away from a sport from an injury. I’ve never broken a bone, twisted an ankle, had a concussion, absolutely nothing; that is of course until the very first game of my junior basketball season. During the first three minutes, I went to get a routine rebound and a girl fell on me and my weight shifted. I got an MRI and I ended up with a complete tear of the proximal cruciate ligament, a partial tear of the proximal to mid collateral ligament consistent with a grade 2 sprain, typical bone contusions, a fracture of the lateral femoral condyle, and moderate-sized joint effusions. The MRI showed that I had to have surgery to create a new ACL in my knee. I talked to my doctor and he said that because of how I am activity-wise, he would create my ACL from a patella tendon autograft reconstruction. 

The night before my surgery I had to apply these orange disinfectant wipes all over my leg. The residue was sticky and smelled like alcohol. I then went to bed. The next morning I had to shower and reapply another packet of the disinfectant wipes on my leg. I got to the hospital and was given a room. I was dressed in a gown and a circulation boot and sock on my healthy leg. Throughout the next two hours, doctors and nurses, my surgeon, and anesthesiologist were prepping me for surgery. I had an IV stuck into my hand, was given this relaxer mist to breathe in, had heart monitors taped all over my body, two shots of nerve cancellation in my leg, and numbing of my entire left leg. Finally, I was rolled into the surgical room. I was moved onto the table and they strapped down my arms and put warm blankets on my upper half. My anesthesiologist told me to take 5 deep breaths and then I was out. I never remember falling asleep though. I woke up in a different room shocked, distressed, and in pain.