Knee injury - help!

Good news - Bad news

Bad news - injury that will prevent you from entering with the 2017 class.
Good news - you know the correct path to take to enter with the 2018 class.

The way you have conducted yourself in your posts since your injury has been impressive.
Stay connected with us here on SAF and keep us apprised of your progress next year.
I have a feeling that you have many on here who will be cheering you on!

Best wishes :thumb:
 
Thanks, everyone - it means a lot. I'll certainly be sticking around SAF, especially as I start up this new application. After all, it's been a whole year since I've done it; I'm a little rusty!

So again (I feel like I keep saying it, but also that I need to keep saying it), thank you all for everything. It wasn't an easy decision for me to make to pull the waiver this year, but the information I had here made it a whole lot easier than it would have been otherwise. If there's ever anything I can do for any of you, whatever that might be, let me know.
 
Bravo Zulu

Lone Star said:
Thanks, everyone - it means a lot. I'll certainly be sticking around SAF, especially as I start up this new application. After all, it's been a whole year since I've done it; I'm a little rusty!

So again (I feel like I keep saying it, but also that I need to keep saying it), thank you all for everything. It wasn't an easy decision for me to make to pull the waiver this year, but the information I had here made it a whole lot easier than it would have been otherwise. If there's ever anything I can do for any of you, whatever that might be, let me know.
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I too have been following your situation. All I can say is your steadfastness, candor and honor are exemplary. Your handling of this situation has set the bar high, as USMA expects from their appointees. You did not disappoint them. Best of luck to you as you treat and rehab your knee. I look forward to seeing your name on the appointee's list for USMA Class of 2018. As we say in the Navy, BZ, for a job well done, especially under such solemn circumstances. Cheers.
 
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Best of luck for your recovery

Time is just that....time. You have worked hard to get to where you are and now you will work harder to get to where you will be. Our experiences in life help to make us the people and leaders we become. This is just a bump in the road, but come next R-day you will be stronger than you are now. Congratulations for all that you have accomplished and best wishes for all that is yet to come!
 
BP's foot

DS has a follow-up this a.m. for a foot that had been hurting. Had an x-ray last week at the Naval Health Clinic. They called him up yesterday (not sure why this took a week) to say they found "abnormalities" in the x-ray. He is going back this a.m. - 6 days before R-Day! - for a follow-up. I told him to get copies of the doctor's write up and the x-rays on a CD. We're planning to drive up to West Point on Saturday . . . .
 
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Thank you all! I would have never expected to receive so much support - it means a lot.

One more question. I've tried to contact my RC about this but haven't been able to get a response; I understand that with R-Day this close he's probably very busy and perhaps not even in his office. I am trying to go ahead and schedule surgery as soon as possible so that I can start recovery, though, so if anyone here can answer, that would be great. Does West Point have a preference on who does the surgery? Is it better to get in contact with them and use their doctors or someone they approve or does it not matter as long as they're a capable doctor and can do the surgery?
 
Unless you are on Tricare, you can't "use" west point's doctors. DODMERB should be able to answer your questions
 
To keep things updated: I had knee surgery Wednesday. The surgeon was able to save the meniscus despite it being torn badly off of the bone by drilling through the bone and suturing the meniscus back on. I've been generally confined to a recliner chair since then, and will be in a locked, nonbending brace for a month or so. I go back Tuesday to get the sutures taken out.

My latest question is how to handle documentation of all this. I understand that I should make every effort to get documentation of everything done, but what all does that entail, and what is the most important?
 
Ask DodMERB Directly

Lone Star said:
To keep things updated: I had knee surgery Wednesday. The surgeon was able to save the meniscus despite it being torn badly off of the bone by drilling through the bone and suturing the meniscus back on. I've been generally confined to a recliner chair since then, and will be in a locked, nonbending brace for a month or so. I go back Tuesday to get the sutures taken out.

My latest question is how to handle documentation of all this. I understand that I should make every effort to get documentation of everything done, but what all does that entail, and what is the most important?
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It looks as if you made the right call about treating your injury and preventing further damage, which probably would have long-term negative consequences. I've had two shoulder surgeries and both times I was told the rehab is just as important, if not more important, than the surgical procedure itself. As to what documentation and record keeping to follow, I would call DoDMERB and ask them directly. If they are not helpful, I would then try USMA's medical office. Worst case, keep all records from all providers for you to use when you reapply. Good luck on the rehab. Cheers.
 
Lone Star - I hope you get in next year and I admire your attitude and determination.

The numerous Cadets I have helped get into West Point mention in a cheerful way that I reminded them OFTEN to not participate in any unnecessary, dangerous, physical activities after accepting a WP offer. Live your life but stay away from pick-up games, motorcycles, horseplay, senior pranks, etc.

Every year there are unfortunate cases like Lone Star. I hope the young men and women in the next class learn this lesson.
 
To be fair, there is no way to avoid all dangerous activities, or at least there wouldn't have been for me. I accepted my appointment in February. I was still playing spring sports after that - powerlifting and track - not to mention working on my family's ranch, which obviously entails some risk with working cattle, riding horses, etc. After a certain point, wrapping yourself away in bubble-wrap (a phrase that I learned just recently through this fiasco, actually) just can't be done. I hurt myself during a random pick-up game of basketball, but I could have just as easily done so helping my dad flip calves, and I wouldn't have left him to do that by himself, West Point or no. All the precautions in the world can't remove all of the risk.

All that to say, did my injury happen during an unnecessary and avoidable activity? Yes, absolutely, and I would fully agree that candidates should avoid such things or at least be extremely careful in them. That could have made all the difference for me. I know - from my own experience, at least - we usually take a "it may happen, but it happens to other people, not to me" outlook. As I've learned, it actually can happen to you individually. So you certainly should take all of the precautions that you can. I'm sure it's difficult to do, because West Point generally attracts active and competitive people, but if I would say it's worth not proving that yes, you can dunk too, if it'll keep you going to USMA.

For my own part, I will be avoiding basketball like the plague for the next year.
 
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Lone Star,

Good luck to you.

In my post I said "Live your life" but avoid unnecessary dangerous activities.

My son (Class of 2015) finished the football season and did the full wrestling season after he received his appointment. I do not advocate being in "bubble wrap" - just go on with your life but do not do anything that is unnecessary or foolish.
 
avoiding basketball sound logical but if you could play, you probably should. It'll prove you've recovered and that your knee is as good or better than before the injury.

That new awareness you have regarding injury will help you too. It's not that you can totally avoid injury, obviously. However, you will have to stress that knee again at some point. The confidence you'll gain is immeasurable.

Just my opinion, good luck with everything!
 
Oh, I'll certainly participating in some sports later on, or at the least working out and running plenty. It's just that I didn't even normally play basketball before, so I'll probably have even less tendency to play it now.

Thank you both for the good luck wishes. I appreciate it very much!
 
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