I never thought I would be experiencing a major, typically athletic, injury in college; after high school when I actually was a student-athlete.
As my one-year mark has hit, I just wanted to reflect on all the things I've learned from this unexpected experience...
It started on my first day in Park City, it was snowing a record amount and with low visibility, I stupidly decided to go full speed down, falling immediately. Not a fun fall, ending with me being tobogganed down (also not fun). I was laughing at myself and after two days of rest, and a temporary brace from CVS, I was ready for our week in Vail. Somehow, I skied the next whole week no problem, having no idea that anything was seriously wrong with my knee.
I'm usually a cautious skier. I know how to control my speed and would always rather leisurely make my way down than race down. However, something about this trip to the west coast felt different. Maybe it was because the powder was unlike anything I've seen before or maybe it was just pure excitement skiing in a place where I didn't have to worry about sliding on ice. Whatever it was, I let my guard down. But I don't regret any of it.
Winter break ended and as I headed back to campus, I still didn't have full motion. Now, when it's been about a month after I fell on the trail back in Utah, I finally got an x-ray and MRI. Soon I heard news that I had a complete tear of my ACL, partial tear in my lateral meniscus, and sprained my MCL.
So, on Feb. 22, 2023, I was heading to the hospital at around 6 am with my dad, who had driven up the night before, to go into my ACL reconstruction surgery. I wasn't that nervous about the actual procedure, but I was SCARED for the recovery. Leading up to this day, I had heard that the first week or two is the worst pain people have experienced and that this whole process is just overall a tough one.
I can confirm it is painful and it is a very very long process - one that I'm still in.
Here are my takeaways that I've been able to grow in even aside from the injury:
1. Patience is Key: The first two weeks out of surgery were the worst. I couldn't do anything on my own basically. There were so many times I wished I could just give up because a full recovery seemed so out of reach (taking a step on my own seemed impossible). But, with some dedication and a support system, slowly I was making progress. I am still in the process of getting back to 100%, but I know with time and putting in the work, I will be able to get there.
2. It's Okay to Accept the Help: I usually am the type to not ask for help, especially when I set my mind to something. When I first got home I couldn't even get to the front door with my crutches, and I hated that feeling. I tried my best to do as much as I could by myself, and would get frustrated at my parents when they tried to do every little thing for me. I learned, however, to let them because I physically couldn't do a lot on my own and it also made them feel better about the situation when they could do things for me. 3. It's so Important Who You Surround Yourself With: I've known this and that the community you have influences the person you become, whether you realize it or not, but this experience has a) made me even more aware of this and b) so grateful for the people around me. My friends and family were constantly there checking in making sure I was okay and that they could help in any way - it definitely has made the process so much better. I had friends and family friends stop in right after dropping off food and gifts to make me feel better, and even had a friend visit only to be sitting with me for two hours while I was in pain, unable to even talk. With my physical therapy, I got super lucky too. I had neighbors who were PTs who squeezed me into their schedules and came over to see me next door. Even at school, I love the PTs I work with and it makes the process as enjoyable as it could be.
Even through a tough experience, I've taken a lot out of it and although I wouldn't want to do it over again, I am thankful for how it has helped me grow (unexpectedly). Now I have some scars that will continue to remind me of the lessons I've learned and I've learned to love them.
XOXO,
JKIM
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