Just over two weeks ago, on February 8, Lindsey Vonn crashed seriously in the women's Olympic downhill race in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The 41-year-old American screamed in pain, was left lying on the slope and had to be airlifted to hospital. She was found to have broken her left leg and has since undergone several surgeries in both Italy and the United States.
On Monday, Vonn - who has suffered several serious injuries in her career - posted a video on Instagram after returning from her latest hospital stay. In the video, she talks about the details of the procedures and that she could have lost her leg.
"It's been quite a journey. Definitely the most extreme, painful and challenging injury I've had in my entire life," she says.
Unclear future
Vonn - who has won an Olympic gold medal (2010, downhill), two World Cup gold medals (2009, downhill and super-G) and 84 World Cup victories - thanks the support she has received and the medical staff who have helped her in recent weeks.
Specifically, she thanks her American surgeon Thomas Hackett, saying he saved her left leg from amputation, including following a six-hour operation on Wednesday.
Dr. Tom Hackett saved my leg.
Vonn's left leg was already injured before the Olympics, after a crash in the Crans-Montana World Cup downhill race in late January. Despite a meniscus injury and a torn cruciate ligament in her knee, she still competed in the Olympics.
It is unclear whether Vonn is ending her career or not; she does not say anything about it in the clip.
Broke the foot too
It's going to be a long journey. I'm in a wheelchair right now and I'm pretty immobile. I'll be in a wheelchair for a while because I also broke my right ankle. I hope to be on crutches in a while, but we'll see.
At the end of the clip, Vonn becomes emotional and starts crying.
"This is definitely not how I wanted to end the Olympics. But it's been inspiring to see my teammates. Everyone has been incredible. Seeing the USA dominate has been uplifting," she says, concluding with:
I'm like "Rocky" (the fictional boxer); I keep getting up.
