Cait Update

Last time I posted about Caitlyn’s ACL repair….. it was the night before surgery. (check it out)

Here are the basics:

December 7th we went in for outpatient surgery.

From start to finish the entire experience was far better than our last hospital experience when a gallbladder was being removed. (remember that fun?)

She was in good spirits - despite her stylish garb.

We were all VERY thankful that her injured knee was well-marked for the surgeon. Accidents happen. More so here. The last thing we wanted was a reconstructed left knee.

We spent a few hours keeping entertained while all the paperwork and pre-op tasks were taken care of.

Dear-old-dad forgot how cold hospitals can be. While trying to borrow Cait’s sweatshirt, there was a complete re-enactment of the scene in Tommy Boy – Fat guy in a little coat.

There was live music in the hospital hallways – nurses dancing, nuns playing tambourines, I couldn’t make this up if I tried.

The surgeon repaired her ACL with a portion of her hamstring and stitched up the tear in her Meniscus. Post-op she was looking at three aspects of healing: the ACL, the Meniscus and the new hamstring tear created by harvesting a piece for the new ligament.

Here’s a good look at what is underneath the wrapping. Scroll quickly if you’re squeamish.

The weeks that followed were not pleasant. Take note: Christmas is not a good season in PR to do anything – her much-needed physical therapy was put off for 5 weeks because of closed offices and vacations.

To kill some of the recovery time we went on a Christmas Cruise – she did really well, even on crutches.

She didn’t see it as we did and with great emphasis – she does NOT recommend the cruise-crutch combination.

Back from sailing the Caribbean, we struggled to find the right physical therapy set-up. Finally – (yes two+ month later) she is in an aggressive sports medicine facility. She does 2 hours of therapy, four times a week. It is tiring, painful and puts a crimp into her studying schedule, but we are seeing some great strides in her recovery.

We thank you for the continual support (emails & texts have been great spirit lifters!) While physically painful, I know that the mental anguish and frustration have been even worse. For a child who has been full-speed-ahead since the day she was born, being down and out has been a nightmare. While perspective allows us to see that this will be a lengthy lesson in patience and persistence,  we will all be happy when I can again post photos like this one.