I had surgery on my right ACL yesterday and am feeling great today. Leading up to the surgery I heard various horror stories and stories about how easy recovery was, so I was not sure what to expect.

I arrived at the hospital around 8:00 am and was in the prep room by 8:30. For the next three hours I met with various doctors, nurses and staff preparing me for surgery. I can remember walking into the OR and the anesthesiologist saying, “you are going to feel really good in a couple seconds.” The next thing I knew it was 2:30, I was in the recovery room and I couldn’t move my legs. I was given a spinal block to prevent pain during in my knee and something to put me into a light sleep during the surgery. I was then given something to eat and my first dose of oxycodone. By 3:30 I was dressed and meeting with the physical therapist again, he taught me how to walk on my crutches and how to go up and down stairs. Rachel then called a car and away we went.

Getting up three flights of stairs was one of my biggest worries before the surgery. It turned out not to be a problem at all – I just held on to the rail on one side and one of my crutches on the other and took it one stair at a time. Since I was not given a general anesthesia I was fully coherent, which definitely made the stairs easier.

Rachel spoke to the doctor after the surgery and the doctor said the operation went perfectly. I was extremely impressed with everyone that helped me out during my stay at the hospital. Every person I met with was so nice and made me feel at ease. I was not expecting a bad operation, but I definitely was not expecting to be taken care of so well.

I got home yesterday and got lots of emails, texts and phone calls from friends and family. It was so nice of everyone to remember me and let me know they cared on my big day. Rachel’s parents sent me these flowers with the hope that they help me get walking around quickly like the bionic man, although I am hoping I recover and am more like Dennis Dixon.

I am now in my first full day of recovery and Rachel has been amazing. She has waited on my every need – fixing meals, changing my ice, helping me with my exercises, bringing me everything I need and plenty more. I can not carry anything while on crutches and have no idea how I could recover without Rachel’s amazing care. Rachel, thank you for taking such good care of me!