Senior Laura Gonzalez Dutor has participated in soccer, track and dance since her freshman year. Her participation in these sports stopped after an injury that resulted in surgery.

“[My injury] started junior year. I was playing soccer and I didn’t warm-up properly and got injured. It seems to be just a tear in my abductor [muscle]. I did physical therapy with the trainers at school. I was fine for about two weeks then I started getting a catching sensation in the front of my leg. Every time I tried to sprint or do any type of explosive movement, the muscles in front of my hip would lock and I couldn’t get my leg past that point. The more it locked the more it would happen,” Gonzalez Dutor said. 

Gonzalez Dutor started going to rehab but never stopped her physical activity. Although Sentara RMH Medical Center released her during the summer and told her she was fine, the catching sensation never left. 

She convinced herself that she was fine and played in the powder-puff game. During the game she sprinted, which caused her severe pain. Her parents took her to a doctor at Duke University in North Carolina, where Gonzalez Dutor received a diagnostic for hip dysplasia and a labral tear. 

“We were definitely not expecting [that diagnosis], so it was a hard time. I took some time to digest because I was getting ready to go to college, [get back in] to dance and live my life, but this set everything back. We were not expecting nine months of recovery. It was very sudden and out of the blue,” Gonzalez Dutor said.

Gonzalez Dutor participated in the school musical to dance before she had to take a long break.  

“I didn’t want to get nervous because [the surgery] had to happen either way, so I tried to not let it affect me,” Gonzalez Dutor said.

After surgery, Gonzalez Dutor was in pain all throughout the first couple days.

“I had to start learning to walk without meds so I could be released and go home. The week was really tough. There was lots of pain. I did not anticipate pain to that level,” Gonzalez Dutor said.

Recovery has been steady for Gonzalez Dutor. At first, her family had to help her with everything including showering, going to the bathroom and to bed. Now, she only needs help with smaller tasks such as grabbing things. Although the process is slow, she makes advancements everyday. 

“I’m definitely gaining some independence back, which is really nice because I’m a very independent person. Having to rely on so many people for everything has been kind of tough,” Gonzalez Dutor said.

Throughout her recovery,  she has gotten calls from her loved ones, received letters from her dance class and friends came to visit her. Her friend, senior Olivia King, visited Gonzalez Dutor multiple times a week. 

 “[Olivia] has been extremely patient with me, I really appreciate her,” Gonzalez Dutor said.

After careful consideration with her parents, Gonzalez Dutor decided to take a gap year. She started thinking about other options for the next year. She plans to move back to Durham, North Carolina because she believes there are more opportunities there. She wants to use the time to prepare for dancing school in the spring.