The Importance of a Support System

Without my parents, I wouldn't have been able to survive the first few days after my injury, and my surgery.
Without my friends, I wouldn't be able to keep a smile on my face throughout this whole process.
Without my doctors and physical therapists pushing me and cheering me on, I wouldn't be able to push past the pain.
Without my dedicated AAU coach, I wouldn't be going to practices and games and cheer on my team because it would be too hard.
Without my teammates, I wouldn't be able to smile and laugh through the practices and games, or continue to learn about myself as a basketball player and about the game itself.

No matter what kind of injury, or hard event that someone goes through, they can't do it alone. Many times during this whole thing, I start to think that I am alone. But then I remember everything that all these people have done just for me. There's no benefit in helping someone who can't help others (right now at least). This kind of support system cannot be taken for granted. Not just in these freak accidents, but also in life. I didn't realize how much I needed other people until this happened, but it made me remember how much they did for me before too.

If you know someone who is struggling with something in there life, you don't even have to make some grand gesture. A call, or a text that just says something nice and supportive can get someone through a whole day.

So I'd just like to say thank you to everyone out there that have supported me and helped me in any way the past 2 months. I can honestly say, I have no idea where I would be, or in what kind of mental state I would be in, without you.

The Dangers of Boredom

Because summer has started, I don't have anything to take up most of my day. I work on my rehab and recovery, but that only takes so long. It's only been a few days, but I'm already starting to feel the pain of boredom, and missing out on fun. I do have friends that help me out and offer to do things with me. But then starts the cycle.

What can I do?

Not much. At least, not while I'm still on crutches and a knee brace. I was planning on spending most of my days working out and playing basketball and hanging out at the beach and playing more basketball. This seems to me, to be one of the toughest mental parts of recovery. If I stay bored, I have nothing else to do, but think and become more sad and depressed.

So far, I've been able to spend some time hanging with friends at grad parties, and eating out and watching movies. But you can only do that so many times...

The Daily Disgusting: Weight Loss Edition

When my friend who has had 2 ACL tears, told me how she lost a lot of weight during her recovery, I laughed at the thought that I would. I'm not the healthiest eater, then add in the fact I can't exercise, I thought I'd gain at least 5-7 pounds. But somehow, my friend was right, and I've lost 5 pounds. I don't know if anyone else can tell from the picture, but it seems to me that all that weight came from my leg. 

I really don't want to have to spend time trying to gain back all the muscle in my leg. But I guess that's another thing I'm going to have to deal with, and for anyone else with injury to expect.