26
A Crucial Moment
How the nine months after my surgery made me who I am today By MaryGrace Cummings Staff Reporter On the morning of October 17th, 2021 when I walked out of my house to go to my lacrosse tournament I did not once consider that I would not be able to walk by the end. I was starting out my third game of the day and I was on fire this game, scoring left and right. Tensions quickly began to rise between my defender and I, on my fifth goal, I went to shoot the ball then felt my defender push me and fall onto my knee. I watched the ball hit the back of the net at the same time that I heard a snapping sound so loud it was equivalent to a gunshot. As the trainer tugged and pulled on my leg deciphering what she felt was wrong, she eventually sighed, looked at me and said, “it might be your ACL.” I broke down; any athlete knows what that means. It meant my life was over for the next nine months. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of most important ligaments that stabilizes the knee. It is most used for stopping, starting, and sudden movements. The average recovery time for ACL tear surgeries is 9-12 months. This looks different for everyone, but for me it was six months of non-stop physical therapy, doctors appointments and lots of emotional ups and downs. Almost all complete tears of the ligament require surgery. On Nov. 4, I underwent surgery and began my nine month journey. Right after surgery, I expected to be ready for recovery with a positive attitude. However, I cannot say I was. The week following, I was crying what seemed like every hour, could not sleep, could not leave my bed without my crutches, and did not really feel like trying anyway. I was bitter and angry, I wanted someone to blame and I thought “Why me?” I felt entirely dejected and scared, having to accept that I would not be able to do simple tasks like reaching things on my floor, putting on pants, showering, and driving.
LEFT: MaryGrace Cummings lies in bed after her three-hour surgery to rebuild the anterior cruciate ligament she injured playing lacrosse in October 2021. ABOVE: Cummings pulls a weighted sled at physical therapy, three months post surgery as a weigh to rebuild strength in her knees.
