Nothing equates to the feeling of playing the sport you love at a high level. Basketball has, and always will be, therapeutic for me, but lately, I haven’t felt confident on the court.
July 26, 2018, I hyperextended my knee on a simple jump-stop on the elbow. I instantly dropped to the ground and didn’t open my eyes for a solid ten minutes. Being the positive person I am, I got up and tried to start playing again, but it was apparent that I couldn’t continue. The severity of the injury isn’t to the extent of a shattered knee, but it was the first “serious” injury I’ve endured during my basketball career.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve sprained my ankle more times than I can count, but this injury put me in a slump. Being told I couldn’t play basketball for at least two months was like being stripped of my freedom. It was terrible.
When September hit I was reunited with my rugby team. I knew I had to get back on the field. I’m very big on not letting an injury get the best of me. As I started to progress and workout, the pain went away. I felt good (or at least I thought I did). I went to practice and did a little stutter-step and re-injured my knee all over again. Trips to the ER almost seemed second nature. I looked to the doctor for clarification only to be told I needed six months of physical therapy. It all changed from that point on.
My demeanor changed, my mood began to swing, and I let all the negativity consume my thoughts. I instilled a fear inside of me that became permanent.
The other day, the Great TPR hit my line and asked if I wanted to get a run in. Nervously, and anxiously, I accepted, knowing I haven’t played in months or began physical therapy. That 10-minute drive felt like an eternity because even though I had some J. Cole on the radio, all I could hear were my thoughts.
I kept thinking about how my knee gave out when I first injured it. It’d rehearse over and over in my mind, and by the time I got to Lifetime Fitness, I was shaking. Do you ever get that feeling that you have so much to
Since then, I finally caved in and started to do physical therapy. I have a better appreciation for the game of basketball and how it’s played. You don’t realize how fast the game really is until you get injured. Basketball, I miss you, but I will be back!