Orders + Knee

For the purpose of journaling and updating my people, I thought I would share some recent stuff  going on in my life.  The good news always comes first, right?!?  Wellllll – Sean recently received verbal orders to the command he will be going to next.  I've been on edge for a while now (life of a Navy wife) waiting to find out where our next adventure would take us once we transfer next summer.  Soooooo – as for now, we have follow on orders to a three year shore duty here in San Diego!!!  There are so many emotions wrapped up into this news.  All of them good.  We've been extremely lucky to have been in San Diego for so long and we'll take every last day they'll give us here.  The call came on a day where I really needed some good news.  I've been able to relax about some of the other life stresses now that I know we get to stay.  Of course, I believe that God's hand is in all of this and my heart is bursting with gratitude. 

Second.  My knee.  I jacked it.  

Early in September I went to the beach in Coronado with my family and cousin Travis.  I was running along the shore while being slightly blinded by the setting sun.  I didn't end up seeing a deep hole in the sand and my left leg fell into the hole as I was running.  I fell forward and my leg completely hyperextended as my face hit the sand.  I blacked out for a moment after hearing loud popping and snapping, and then I quickly opened my eyes to bright blue dots as I screamed.  – Screamed bloody murder... like a legit crazy person rolling around in the sand.  Two young, shirtless guys  (which made it all that more embarrassing) ran over to me and asked, "Ma'am are you okay?"  To which I replied via ugly cry – "No!! and don't call me Ma'am! Can you please find my husband?"  Sean was up at the bathrooms showering the kids and ran over with my cousin Travis to rescue me.  They carried me to the car and then rushed me off to the Naval hospital...

Here we are over two months later and it has been quite the, ahem...ordeal.  I could go on for a loooong while complaining about the crappy medical care I've had – but, I guess I'll just go with the fact that I'm glad I have medical care at all.  It took forever to get my MRI, but once I did, they found a whole-lotta bad stuff.  It was devastating to hear all the damage that had been done, but I was slightly relieved to hear that I wasn't just being a baby and that I was finally being validated in my pain and suffering.  

Injuries include a severed ACL and LCL, severed hamstring, tears in my MCL and fibular ligaments and a posterolateral corner injury (the most painful) to name a few.  I will be having surgery in early December to fix the things they can fix.  The surgeon informed me that it will be a 9-10 month painful recovery.  I'm scared.  Really scared.  I'm anxious though, too.  I'm ready to get on the road to being better and getting stronger.  At this point I walk funny, I can't straighten my leg, my muscles have completely atrophied and I can't sit or stand or walk or do anything for more than a few minutes without being in pain.  I guess I'm being humbled and I have to admit, I don't like it very much.  Luckily, I have a loving family, wonderful friends, and a great physical therapist.  Thank you to all who have been loving and supporting me through this.  All your love, prayers and chocolate are much appreciated!