Smiles and Tears

I haven't really been on the ball with my blog lately, a lot has changed. First of all, how adorable are my two little cousins? I babysit them from time to time and it's always a blast. They are pretty hilarious too.

Addison and Callie

(All cousins of some type + sisters) :)

About a week ago I was tumbling at open gym. I don't have any friends that really tumble or do gymnastics with their free time (and honestly the only people I know who do I work with) but I still go occasionally. I was pretty tired and just doing passes on floor. I was obviously running full speed and put my hands down for one last round-off. I must have also twisted my arm a funny way because I immediately heard a crunching/popping noise and instant extreme pain. "No... not again," were my immediate thoughts. The last time I had injured myself was a dislocated kneecap, walking down the stairs. I passed out that time. THIS time I was seeing black dots. I thought I had at least broken something. As I was kneeling on the floor I noticed some song playing on the radio in the background and the lyrics went something like "I don't wanna say goodbye, but this is goodbye." I thought it was God telling me I could never do this again, or even coach. God had hit me, all right. "Why do so many bad things have to happen to me?" My mom and I rushed to the emergency room and got X-rays. Nothing was broken, so they put me in a temporary half-cast and a sling until I saw an orthopedic.

I ended up having to get an MRI to see if I had torn any ligaments. I was in pain and my elbow and my arm did just not feel right. The results were back and sure enough, I had torn my UCL. Ever heard of your ACL in your knee? Ulnar Collateral Ligament is in your elbow. It's a major ligament and I might need surgery. That is not okay with me, considering 50% of patients lose 10% full range of motion in their elbow after full recovery from surgery. That would mean a likely goodbye to sports and I will do anything I can to avoid this.

The other day in the car we were discussing it and my mom just goes, "S**t happens." "Yeah, I know, but why does all the s**t have to happen to me?" I guess I will always have faith. If you don't have faith, what is there to live for?

xoxo lisa marie