Any advice.......MAJOR POST-OP PAIN!!!!!

[Clarinet'09]

Im back on here to complain....what else is new?!?!? I MAJORLY overdid it today at band reheresal!!! Everything was going good, and then the marching instructor (he makes sure were using proper technique), told us to go over to the other feild. Everyone was like "Oh no....were going to add on some dance moves because were standing still to long". They were right. Since i was standing still during that one section, i am now supposed to squat!!! So im now squating for 48 counts, which is like counting to 48 for you non band people. It KILLED my knees. They cracked and crunched and made all those other unpleasant noises that we know so well. We did this like 20 times, and know i cant walk. The pain in my knee feels like post-op pain!!! And of course me, being the dummy i am, didnt listen to my knees when they gave out twice. Instead i comvinced myself and the others around me that i had tripped over something causing me to fall   !!! What should i do?!? I know i shouldnt be doing this for my knees sake, but it is my only pasion that my knees havent kept me from doing yet. Also...theres the whole "I dont want to look weak thing", which applies even more since i am new to the school and want to prove myself. I also CANT let the band down. They would have to work really hard to get someone else in my spot. And if they couldnt get someone to fill my spot, they would lose MAJOR points cause theres an OBVIOUS hole on the feild that shouldnt be there!!! Any advice?!?
                       ~Chelsea~

[Linds]

Chelsea, you have to be kind to your knees. Squating isn't the greatest on anyones knee, but if your knees aren't great it's BAD news...
I think you should talk to your band leader. I know it's hard when you want to be strong and just push through it, but I think if you keep doing this, you're not going to be in marching band at all. It's great to be strong and try to be tough but you have to let those around you know what's going on...there may be other alternatives. 

HANG IN THERE hope your knee is feeling better soon

Linney

[Clarinet'09]

Thanks for the advice Linds.....but what should i say to my band director.....     ?!? Cause its not like they can just have me stand up while everyone else it squatting....the judges would know something was wrong and would count off for it!!! Thanks for replying i REALLY appreciate it!!!
HOPE YOU HAVE A DECENT KNEE DAY AS A GOOD ONE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN THESE DAYS!!!
                     ~Chelsea~

[mhsflute07]

Hey Chelsea,

I know exactly how you feel. Tonight at practice we added squatting and lunging stuff during a hold. It wasn't fun, lol. Luckily, my band directors know about my knees. They said just to do what I can...like I don't have to squat really low, etc. So, it helps and is enough of a compromise for me. Maybe you could talk to your band director about a compromise like that. Chances are, he/she would rather compromise than have you not be there at all.

Good luck! Let me know how things work out.

~Erin~

[kimmyxs]

I agree with Erin,  make compromises now during rehersals and games in order to save yourself for competition.  I am so glad that we didn't do lunges and squats when I was in marching band.  It seems forever ago, but it was only 35!  Band directors are humans, he probably has had someone else in the same situation.  He may even change the squads around or re-cherograph to handle your knees.  You will never know unless you ask.  You certainly don't want to wreak your knees now- you have to live with them a long, long time.

I loved marching band more than anything else in high school except speech and debate - they were equal.

[Clarinet'09]

Thanks for your replies. This must be the week of choreographys.......!!!! Im complaining again!!! Just thought id warn you so you can stop reading if you want  !!! LAST CHANCE!!! Okay..... I just got back from band and guess what happened......you guessed it.....more choreographing!!!! This time its kneeling for 36 counts  !!! My right knee (operated knee) actually handled it better than my left one. This probably could be cause my right knee (the one i was kneeling on) didnt even touch the ground because my left knee was taking all the strain off it. Im very protective of my right knee. So know my left knees killing me. Today was one of the worst days ive EVER had at marching band. We had 1 pass-out, 2 nose bleeds and a seizure!!!!! We should NOT have been out there today!!! I was actually planning on talking to my band director after rehersal.....but figured i look like a MAJOR wimp next to a girl that was having a seizure!!! Ill talk to him tommorrow and let yall know how it goes!!! Thansk so much for the advice and support i REALY need that right now!!!
                         ~Chelsea~

[UK Girl !]

CHELSEA !!!!!!

How many times do we have to tell you - respect your knees - you are young and need them for a very long time!!!!!!

You MUST tell your band leader and stop doing the things that causes so much pain - He knows as well as you do that you know how to do it so there is no need for you to have to keep practising it - so when the others kneel down YOU STAND !!!

Okay lecture over - now for pain meds and ice and enjoy the rest of your evening - but please sort it!

anja x

[Clarinet'09]

Anja.....I PROMISE I WILL SORT THIS THING OUT TOMORROW!!!!! You do it too.......    !!!!
Already got the pain meds and ice.......its not helping though!!!
                    ~Chelsea~

[UK Girl !]

yeah but Chels - it wouln't have been right if I didn't lecture you!!

[Clarinet'09]

To true it wouldnt    !!!!!
             ~Chelsea~

[UK Girl !]

Hi Chels
hope your knees have had a good rest by the time you get up today - now you know what you have to do - don't dissappoint me!!

have a good day
anja

[Janet]

Chelsea:

I have to agree with Anja that you have to be kind to your knees. You are young and want to be strong and not give in to your knees, but that is not smart in the long run. You need your knees for lots more years. You don't want things you do now to cause more problems later. You really need to talk to your band director, and if he doesn't understand, have your doctor write a note stating your limitations.

Janet

[Clarinet'09]

Thanks Janet.....and Anja    !!!! Dont be mad at me.......but i didnt get a chance to talk to my band director yet *cringes*  !!!!!Ive still got the 2 1/2 hour practice this afternoon to tell him. I didnt get the chance during our 47 min. rehersal at school. I promose i will talk to him when i get there this afternoon though. Ive got so mant people on my case i dont have a choice    .....that is......if i want to stay alive i dont have a choice          !!!! I think im coming down with a cold. Ive got a sore throat, runny nose and a splitting headache. I think it was this and my knees that only allowed me to have 3 hrs. of sleep    !!! So i will take some medicine and try to forget about it while at band rehersal. Yuck!!!! I FEEL HORRIBLE!!!!! Thanks again for responding!!!!
                ~Chelsea~

[UK Girl !]

sorry you feel crap chelsea - it might also be that you are doing too much, school, band, online, and eventually homework when you should be sleeping - OMG Bet I sound like your mum!!

You'd better tell him today!

[Clarinet'09]

I cant help it.....this is stuff that has to be done.....well......except for the compy stuff.......but this is my only time to myself and i choose to spend it with yall!!!! I cant sleep at night so i might as well do my homework then!!!! My knees and now this cold will be keeping me up all night. Yes....you sound VERY much like my mom. Your DEFINATELY in my top ten list of knee geeks moms!!!! Congrats!!!!             
 I WILL TELL HIM TONIGHT!!!!
                        ~Chelsea~