ACL Reconstruction Surgery.... too young

Before surgery

Jeremy had surgery on July 27 in Nephi. There were three ACL surgeries that day, among others, and we were the first one. We had be there at 5:30am. It was an interesting morning. first, no one was there to register us until 6am, but the nurses got him started, had him change into the "gown", shaved his leg, and got the IV in all before I got back there. I had to wait at the desk for 20 minutes or more. around 630 the anesthesia people came and took him to get the nerve block, and said they would bring him back. They didn't bring him back and i sat in a little cubicle with no one. I learned more about the procedure, etc from the guy next door. I was so mad, I walked out  at 8am and went home to eat. Chris and Derek were wondering what was wrong. I vented, ate, and went back to wait some more. Eventually they moved me to a room and said Jeremy would be coming shortly. I waited some more. Chris and Derek came in around 10. Finally the surgeon came in and said it was done, Jeremy was in recovery, and everything went smoothly. Jeremy came in about 45 minutes after the dr left, just as Chris and Derek were going to leave. We had an ice pack machine from when derek had surgery on his shoulder and i was hoping to use it, but it wasn't working properly so we got the one from the hospital.

still sleeping

straight leg brace with ice pack

I left again around lunch time to check on Cameron, and eat, then went back. He had to have oxygen for most of the time while he slept.
Jeremy slept until around 330, he got up to go use the bathroom, ate and continued eating and felt pretty good for a while. They brought him lunch, but it sat untouched (chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, veggies, roll, etc) . We had to scrounge up snacks until dinner time. his dinner was weird: wild rice, cottage cheese, and fruit on the main plate with roll, ice cream, etc.

I left again after dinner so I could eat. Chris and Derek went to visit him.  Tyler worked all day and had a soccer game that night and Cameron had football practice that night. i went back to sleep at the hospital; Jeremy wanted me to stay with him. He asked what took so long to come back. he needed to use the bathroom and wouldn't call the nurses! He wanted my help to get him in the room. So funny.

We slept ok considering the location.
The next morning the Dr. came back in to talk to us, and said we could go when ever we wanted. the physical therapist also came in to walk Jeremy down the hall, on crutches of course. He also helped him change into his clothes. At this time, we discovered the ball filled with nerve block was still clamped. That means that it hadn't been working for 24 hours!  Amazingly enough Jeremy wasn't in any pain. He'd taken only one pill on Monday, and took another right before we left.

ready to go home

We got home around 1030 and he went to sleep.  Throughout the course of the past few days, the nerve block leaked so I don't think it ever worked right. He took a few pills, but is doing well. He went to Physical therapy on Wednesday and came home sore and with lots of exercises to do.

He went to an hour or two of unity camp (football camp) on Thursday night and Friday afternoon, but of course, he can't do anything besides watch. I think he is really bummed, but won't come out and say it. Tyler has been nice, letting Jeremy play his playstation. He hasn't been using the ice as often as he should. He isn't all that hungry right now. and hes bored. I was in his shoes at this time last year.

Its a six month recovery --minimum--depending on how diligent he is in doing therapy and exercises. We are shooting for Track, football and basketball are out.

after the stitches came out. about 10 days after surgery

the dreaded crutches he had to use for a month

x-ray of knee 6 weeks after surgery. 

scars to remember it all.

He's healing quite well. The most important part is doing his therapy, to strengthen his leg. He needs to ride a bike everyday. He is beyond the critical time period where he could re-injure it because it was so weak, Agility moves will start soon. He will be able to start jogging at around 4 months. We've ordered the special ACL knee brace, which he will wear during sports for a while.  THAT Is after he is cleared to play.