Yesterday my son had knee surgery; his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was repaired and I have to say that it looks wonderful from the scoped photographs taken inside of the operating room. The worst is over with...my son, my only child went through surgery and woke up in a daze, but as the drugs wore off, he slowly grew into his old skin again. Grateful that my son woke up almost pain free but as the hours traveled by, his knee caused him more and more pain and because of the swelling he got worried, but it's something very common and normal with any surgery. He is on crutches and just getting used to those too. He also already began his physical therapy.
Thank god for physical therapists. Today after being released from the hospital, he attended his first therapy session, and the therapists are so helpful and caring just as his surgeon was. During physical therapy everyone boasted at how wonderful Moses was doing and unfortunetly I think it made us think that it was going to be easy from here on out. They also warned us of the severe pain and discomfort that he might experience this evening and tomorrow but we have selective hearing it seems. It was our mistake to think that it wasn't going to be hard. Seriously though, thank god for his physical therapists because they surely know their medicine! Without them, my sons recovery would be more difficult because it would be left in the hands of his parents, 2 people who know nothing about ACL recovery or repair, 2 people who have nothing to go by except a piece of paper with some images of repetition exercises printed on it.
I made the mistake and let him have a couple of friends over to play video games instead of keeping a close eye on him, I let him enjoy his time with his friends and was ill-prepared for what tonight would bring. I feel awful for thinking that everything was going to be peachy...and feel awful for not preparing for the worst! How can I let him hang out and play video games with his pals a day after his surgery? It honestly didn't seem like such a big deal, and maybe it wasn't, but I know now that he can't be distracted during his recovery!
I have to say that I feel horrible for not being able to magically make my son's pain go away...I gave him his pain meds, his ice pack and elevated his wrapped leg then covered him in his blankets. My son is 14, and this is the first time any of us (my husband, son and I) have been through something like this together, besides the birth of my son 14 yrs ago. It's scary and I don't want to make a mistake or do something wrong that might possibly injure him. I desperately pray that these 2-weeks breeze by, as painless as possible and as productive as possible. I want him to get better and I know he WANTS to get better too!
Tomorrow is another day and I hope it brings good things...yes, we have an appointment with his surgeon and yes physical therapy afterwards making it a long morning, however I feel so lucky to be with him during this time. Unfortunetly the following day I won't be able to be with him even though I desperately want to more than anything in this fucking world! I want to be with him throughout his entire recovery period and assist him with anything he might need. I know he will be just fine, especially since the doctor warned us that he was going to have one bad day, and from there he would reach his potential.
but thank god for family.
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