Jennifer, age 13
We had already decided we would have the operation if it was the ACL.
MOTHER: We had already decided we would have the operation if it was the ACL. If she were elderly, then it would have been different. But athletics, especially basketball, are very important to her.
I wanted her to have the operation in a big hospital just in case a problem came up during surgery. But they wanted her to go to a smaller surgery center. After talking to their nurse, and upon the recommendation of a few friends, I decided the surgery center would be OK.
But on the day of the surgery, I was concerned. I went in and asked, “Is there a crash cart” around here? Eventually I calmed down, and it actually turned out to be a wonderful experience. Everybody was very nice. Somebody even met us at the elevator. They went out of their way to make us feel comfortable. I don’t know if that’s because she’s so young or if they do that with everyone. They were just wonderful.
JENNIFER: Mostly, what I remember is that the people were really nice to me, that they injected some stuff into me, and that I was laughing a lot. The IV needle bothered me the mos.t They had to stick it in a few times, and it hurt.
MOTHER: They had a hard time finding the vein. Medically, medically I know that’s not a big deal. But for Jennifer, it was probably the thing that upset her the most about the whole procedure.
During the surgery, my husband and I waited downstairs just trying to make the time go by. After about two hours, they called on a special phone in the waiting room. The surgeon brought us into a private room and told us everything about the surgery. He said it all went excellently.
Then he brought us in to see Jennifer. She was not looking good. She spent about two hours in recovery before we could leave.
JENNIEFR: I don’t remember any pain while I was sitting there. On the way home, I did start to vomit. At home, I still don’t feel quite right, kind of nauseous, but I didn’t vomit. My leg felt like there was pressure on it, but it didn’t hurt much. I expected it to be much worse.
MOTHER: The pain medication can be nauseating. So for a couple of days, Jennifer also took some medication for nausea.