1 year and 3 months later…
This is a word of encouragement to all of you newbies. Here I am, over a year after my AT rupture, and I am STILL ALIVE. Believe me when I say that I though my life was ending when this first happened. I was 16 years old and playing volleyball meant everything to me. I ruptured my AT in the second week of our 5 month season and had to sit on the sidelines for the entire time. I was literally devastated.
The process of healing took longer than I wanted, but faster than anyone else expected. The injury happened in January and I began playing light beach volleyball again by the very end of May, then I dove into a full high school season of indoor volleyball in September. This included practicing 5 days per week and often tournaments on weekends.
I’m currently nearing the end of the “club” season that I missed out on last year. That’s right, one year later and 2 seasons under my belt. I am completely back to my regular active self and doing everything I used to do. There are occasions when I do get sore in the AT, but it is not often and usually only if I have worked it really hard beyond normal. Icing helps pretty quickly.
My point is that at first, this seemed like it would never end. But I have conquered the task and I encourage all of you to do the same. I followed protocol strictly, pushed ahead where I was able, slowed down when I needed, and never gave up. Most of all, I found it very necessary to keep a positive attitude through the whole process. I don’t know if your case is the same as mine, but I’m sure this injury has some sort of affect on you. I want to encourage you by saying that there is light at the end of the tunnel, even if you can’t see it just yet.
As a young athlete, I learned a TON of lessons during this time. The main thing was that even though I felt like I was going through hell, there is always someone else who would trade places with me in a second if they could. I learned to stay positive, even if I had to fake it sometimes. I also learned that when I am motivated, I can accomplish incredible things. I had a goal: to get back to volleyball before the season was over. I didn’t reach that goal but I shot high, fell short, and still accomplished more than anyone expected of me. One last thing I learned was that I was defined as Jen the volleyball player. However, what I had never considered was that things can be taken away from you in an instant. Now being an athlete is not WHO I am… it’s WHAT I do. It’s a privilege that I’ve been given and I now appreciate it every day.
This blog is a fantastic place to find support from other people who understand what you’re going through and also to seek advice or opinions. Recovering from this injury was probably the most grueling and dedicated work I’ve ever done, but the satisfaction of overcoming it is beautiful. I hope that someone reads this and feels just a little bit less crappy and a little bit inspired. Good luck to you all in your journeys!
You rock and roll Jen, you seem to be a very amazing 17 year old girl. Your post made me feel extremely positive and you are so right about there are thousands of people who got it worse than us and would trade places with us. I must admit though that sometimes when I hear my friends complain I say “Ill trade with ya, at least you can walk”. I am 8 weeks in.
Also I understand the whole Jen the volleyball player, I was Lindsay the soccer player and hurdler all through high school and college. But when you are out of school you have to find a whole lot more than that. Good Luck Jen you will go very far with an attitude like that!
That’s a brilliant post, Jenn, and you seem to be a very special 17-year-old! Don’t stop! And full credit to everybody who’s helped make you the sharp and wise person you are.
Wow! Fantastic post! I am about 5 months in and have my days still. You are an inspiring individual and obviously can teach us all a thing or two about attitude. I’m so happy you are doing great!
Limoshark,
It’s amazing how much complaining we do without realizing isn’t it? I’ll bet those friends of yours don’t entirely mean what they say or realize it when it comes out of their mouths, but you definitely get a new perspective out of this. I wish you the best of luck with your recovery, I’m here if you have any questions!
Norm, thanks a lot! I must say all of your advice helped me out through this time.
Gailbuddy, you’re so close! Hang in there just a bit longer and time will start to fly sooner than you expect.
Its really funny because every time I go out in public people are like “lindsay you are glowing” and I just think to myself if you were laid up on your back for 2 months without all that much to do you would be just as excited to be in public. But I also realize that as a former college athlete I really enjoy the challenge of it all. I find this whole thing just another competition and for me the ruptured achilles so isn’t winning this one. And I totally promise I don’t think I will ever complain about the little things ever again, I haven’t in 2 months. I miss walking my dogs and doing dishes! Jen you are truly an inspiration. keep rocking and rolling. You will succeed at anything you try. Thank you for your positive attitude it has helped me a ton!
Fantastic post, Jenn…absolutely perfect! Brought a big smile to my face. I’m at 5 mos. and am inspired, and ready to roll!
Hi Jenn
Wonderful words. I remember your first posts - we ATR’d about the same time. And returned to light sports about the same time, you to volleyball, me to tennis, badminton, and softball.
Congrats on your full recovery.
To Limoshack - my dog and I looked so pitiful w/o walks when I ATR’d I strapped my cast inside an old Bledsoe Boot and walked my dogs on the beach 1 week after the operation.
One day it was a cold, windy Saturday morning. I was wearing a facemask. Another guy, also walking his dog and wearing a facemaks saw me in the cast, boot, and 1 crutch and asked me what happened. I told him I ATR’d, had surgery on the previous Sunday. He told me he was a surgeon, and had done a couple ATR surgeries that last Sunday. We then took off the facemasks and recognized each other. He was MY surgeon!!! Busted. True story.