A Torn ACL and a New Job

So I saw the orthopedic Dr again today and made clear to him my desire to take a non-surgical approach to my ACL injury. He seems impressed with my range of motion since I can straighten and bend my knee very well now, but he seems unsatisfied with my overall stability. The hard part for me comes with the fact that I am in the middle of a job change. I don't think I've mentioned it yet but I put in my notice at my old job and training for my new job has already begun. Last day at the full time job is Oct 4th!(I'm very excited about this). This makes things a bit more complicated because I lose real insurance on Oct 31st because the new job is only part time. That means I would have to have the surgery done in Early October. I just don't think I want to do that. It's been a rough few weeks since I tore the ACL. Since I am working both jobs now and I'm on my feet a lot. I'm not using the crutches anymore but I still can't lift a whole lot of weight. I feel really good with the progress I've made with my knee. I can't walk normally yet but it is getting closer every day. I can walk up and down steps now without stepping up one at a time. The more I read the more I think it is possible for me to return to a somewhat normal life without having the reconstruction surgery. It is hard to find examples or information on going the non-surgical route though. It seems like Dr tend to just have the surgery done and not really think twice about it. Either way I'm pretty much guaranteed to get osteoarthritis in that knee. Either way I'm in for a long recovery. I will never be able to play soccer again without the ACL. While this is a heart breaker for me, it seems easier than having the surgery at this point in my life. Even with insurance I would probably pay more than $3000 out of pocket. Recovery can take 6 months, and my wedding is in 6 months.

Here's to hoping I don't need the surgery. My next dr appointment isn't till Oct 31st but lots of therapy between now and then. I need to relearn how to walk.