My 19yr old daughter's 1st deployment

[Marqy'sMom13]

My daughter left the end of July and should be back by next spring.  I have been advised by my sister to seek a group of peers that are going/or have gone thru this experience as a MOM.

 

I have been okay up until 2 days ago, so I thought.  She had a bit of a set back during her 1st deployment and may have torn her ACL.  We are hoping for the best, she will have her MRI done once they get to the next port.  I know she is in great hands, I know the Navy will make sure she is taken care of.  I am always preaching about staying positive to others.  Right now I cannot stop crying.  It's been 2 days and I am an emotional wreck and I do not understand what is going on? 

 

My family seems to think I have been down playing how I truly have felt since she left home 14 months ago and not expressing enough.

 

I thought that by moving on and keeping myself busy is what I am suppose to do.  She is my only child. 

 

Crazy thing is I believe in the US Navy and I support her decision and I am so proud and happy for her.  So why am I having such a difficult time with this right now?

 

It scares me to feel this way.

 

 

 

[Marqy'sMom13]

Thank you for your positive thoughts and your support.  Marqy told me Matt does make her laugh.

[BunkerQB]

Let me tell you about MY meniscus tear. I slipped at the parking lot at a golf course and twisted my knee. But having played tennis for many years in my younger years, I knew my knees were going be a problem at an older age. Back in Dec '06, I was just walking along and my right knee just gave out. Had the MIR and sure enough there was a little tear on that knee. Doctor was ready to get the surgery done right then and there. My sailor's OCS graduation was going to be Mar '07. I decided I would wait until after graduation to have the surgery. Doctor said OK, I'll give you one cortisone shot. In the meantime, I babied that knee like you wouldn't believe. I hobbled around. The LEFT knee started to bother me. OCS graduation was in Pensacola. From CA, all flights change planes in either Dallas or Houston. On our delayed fight home from Pensacola, we had an hour and half to waste in Houston. Sailor, husband and I traipsed over to the opposite side of the airport to board our departing flight - it was a LONG walk - no courtesy golf cart in sight. I was sitting down, hubby was wandering around looking for a bookstore, sailor looking for a snack bar - an announcement came over the PA system alerting us that connecting flight would board from a different gate because of mechanic issues with the plane and we were requested to go to the gate ASAP. Unfortunately, the subsequent boarding gate was next to our original arrival gate; therefore, we would have to retrace the entire distance. I am in a panic because hubby and sailor are still wandering around. After 20 minutes, I decided to take ALL our luggage and start walking. Again NO courtesy golf cart in sight. Luckily, I found husband and sailor but time is running out - so we hustled - sailor running ahead of us. I didn't think I would make it. After boarding the plane, we waited for an hour and half for our checked-in luggage to be unloaded from the first plane and loaded onto the second plane. To be honest, I thought they would take me to the hospital as soon as we got back to CA. We get off the plane in San Fran - my knee didn't feel that bad. In fact, it felt GOOD. I thought, wait - maybe my approach has been all wrong. I started just doing things - walking, playing golf, etc. - like a normal person. I don't do any running and I am careful. Well, here I am in Sept 2011 and NO surgery yet.  I am going to work on taking a few pounds off and delay surgery as long as I can.  

I have heard two different opinions on surgery for meniscus tear: 1) go for it 2) wouldn't do it unless absolutely necessary.  BTW, I am 62.

[Marqy'sMom13]

Thank you Bunker QB.  This is very encouraging.  She told me the other day she was going to be able to coach soccer to children for a couple of days at her next port (because she is hurt she will not be able to physically participate like she planned).  She has played since she was 12.  It made me nervous at first and she does know better at this time, but I know where her heart is too.  I remembered your response and just allowed myself to allow her to go with how she feels.

 I have taken in so much from everyone's past experience on N4M, it is so comforting and I am learning too.  Thank you.

 

 

[BunkerQB]

Tell your daughter about my situation.