It's been 7 months since the accident; 6 months since the surgery. I saw my ortho doc today and he gave me the green light! I can start jumping again! YEEEESSSSS!!! :) I have been working VERY hard to get my muscle back on my "mini leg." Thanks to my physical therapists and my personal trainer, my leg is up to 80%. Even though I've been cleared for jumping, I'm still going to work to get to 100%.
Now getting the gear ready is another story. I have an Infinity container that holds a 135 main (no room for upsizing) and an Optimum 143. I have a Javalin container that holds a 150 both main and reserve. I don't have a reserve or a main for it yet. I have an AAD for it, ready to be installed. I'll work out the equipment gaps within the next two weeks. I can't go jumping this coming weekend anyway (Mom is in town) but the weekend after is my goal to start jumping again. Hopefully I'll get everything together in time and the weather will cooperate.
To everyone out there struggling with injury, I wish you the best and a speedy recovery. Put your hard work in- it will pay off!!
Black braided horizontal with black beads
Monday, April 18, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I don't get it
While watching TV last night, I saw that there's a movie coming out called "Soul Surfer."
http://www.soulsurferthemovie.com
It is a true story about a surfer, Bethany Hamilton, who had her arm bitten off by a shark. She survived and continued to surf despite her "handicap." The trailer of the movie featured inspirational moments, including Carrie Underwood encouraging young Bethany whilst Katie Perry's "Firework" song plays in the background.
As moving as it is, I was not moved as one would think.
Instead, I was mad. And I had another "incident" from a whuffo this morning to prove why I was mad. Damn whuffos.
I'll tell you why I was mad when I saw that movie trailer, but first I'm going to tell you about this incident with the whuffo. As you may be aware, I had two major surgeries on my knee 5 1/2 months ago to repair the damage done from a bad landing. As you may also be aware, the landing wasn't from jumping out of a "perfectly good airplane" - it was a hot air balloon. This morning I went to physical therapy and I found out that I had a "substitute" physical therapist because the one I usually see was out today at another clinic. Right off the bat, he grabs my leg to do some testing on it, looks at me and goes, "So you're the skydiver, right?"
I said, "Yes, that's me," but I thought, "Not another whuffo. Jesus Christ. What nasty comments am I going to hear this time?"
He didn't say much more in that conversation about skydiving. Later on, in the middle of the session, he goes, "I've never jumped out of a perfectly good airplane." And I quickly responded, "Neither have I!"
After going through this bullshit for 6 1/2 months, I've started to get tired of it. Let me rephrase that- I AM tired of it!
So when I saw the movie trailer featuring a young surfer's journey of having a large chunk of her body eaten by a 5 ton animal, the silver screen triumphs her return to her beloved sport. I can say with confidence that when I jump out of a "perfectly good airplane," there will be no sharks biting off my arms. Or legs. Or any part of my body. And yet I constantly hear whuffos telling me that I should not skydive anymore because I busted my knee. Why is it wonderful that she went back into the ocean (so the shark can have seconds?) and it's horrible that I return to skydiving? Are there only certain activities where it's "ok" to get hurt and not others? Riddle me that America!
http://www.soulsurferthemovie.com
It is a true story about a surfer, Bethany Hamilton, who had her arm bitten off by a shark. She survived and continued to surf despite her "handicap." The trailer of the movie featured inspirational moments, including Carrie Underwood encouraging young Bethany whilst Katie Perry's "Firework" song plays in the background.
As moving as it is, I was not moved as one would think.
Instead, I was mad. And I had another "incident" from a whuffo this morning to prove why I was mad. Damn whuffos.
I'll tell you why I was mad when I saw that movie trailer, but first I'm going to tell you about this incident with the whuffo. As you may be aware, I had two major surgeries on my knee 5 1/2 months ago to repair the damage done from a bad landing. As you may also be aware, the landing wasn't from jumping out of a "perfectly good airplane" - it was a hot air balloon. This morning I went to physical therapy and I found out that I had a "substitute" physical therapist because the one I usually see was out today at another clinic. Right off the bat, he grabs my leg to do some testing on it, looks at me and goes, "So you're the skydiver, right?"
I said, "Yes, that's me," but I thought, "Not another whuffo. Jesus Christ. What nasty comments am I going to hear this time?"
He didn't say much more in that conversation about skydiving. Later on, in the middle of the session, he goes, "I've never jumped out of a perfectly good airplane." And I quickly responded, "Neither have I!"
After going through this bullshit for 6 1/2 months, I've started to get tired of it. Let me rephrase that- I AM tired of it!
So when I saw the movie trailer featuring a young surfer's journey of having a large chunk of her body eaten by a 5 ton animal, the silver screen triumphs her return to her beloved sport. I can say with confidence that when I jump out of a "perfectly good airplane," there will be no sharks biting off my arms. Or legs. Or any part of my body. And yet I constantly hear whuffos telling me that I should not skydive anymore because I busted my knee. Why is it wonderful that she went back into the ocean (so the shark can have seconds?) and it's horrible that I return to skydiving? Are there only certain activities where it's "ok" to get hurt and not others? Riddle me that America!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
4 Months Post Surgery
In less than a week from now, it'll be four months since the surgery and five months since the bad landing. My physical therapist is trying to terminate my therapy, claiming that I am "not making progress." Needless to say, I disagree with that. Yes my progress may be slow but I am definitely making progress. I don't think she fully grasps the extent of my injuries. I still can't straighten my leg all the way when I walk though. She looked at my foot and determined that I have limited mobility in some of my foot bones. I asked her if this warrants continuing therapy, and she said, "I'll look at it on Thursday and see." Well after this discovery with my foot bones, my worry has escalated to big time!
In the meantime, I've started going back to the gym and meeting with my personal trainer. He's so very supportive, encouraging, and he doesn't judge me for being a skydiver. He challenges me but doesn't push me to do things that would harm my knee. When I woke up sore this morning, it was a great feeling, knowing that my hard work is paying off. My next big goal is going back to spinning class. To be continued...
In the meantime, I've started going back to the gym and meeting with my personal trainer. He's so very supportive, encouraging, and he doesn't judge me for being a skydiver. He challenges me but doesn't push me to do things that would harm my knee. When I woke up sore this morning, it was a great feeling, knowing that my hard work is paying off. My next big goal is going back to spinning class. To be continued...
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year, New Me
With each new year comes new chances.
This past year was filled with both very good and very bad occurrences. The very bad being two injuries, one right after the other. In May, I sprained my left mcl and sublexed my kneecap on a no-wind tandem landing. Thankfully, no surgery was needed and I was back in the air two months later. Two months after that, I tore my right acl, mcl, and did extensive cartilage damage to my right knee, which resulted in surgery. I'm back walking again and I almost have my full range of motion back. The muscles in my right leg have shriveled up and disappeared though. I won't be back to jumping until the spring.
On to the good-
the best thing that happened to me this past year (or probably ever for that matter) was forming a relationship with my boyfriend, Roger. He's a skydiver too! I could go on and on about how great he is, but I'll just sum it up by saying that I'm crazy about him (crazy in a good way, not crazy in the stalker way).
But the new year is upon us, and like I said, with each new year comes new chances. Considering that I'm a sport psychologist by trade, I don't make new year's resolutions- I make GOALS! My goals for 3 Ring Necklace this year are to sport at least 10 new designs every month, start selling necklaces in the pro-shops of at least one other dropzone (besides Skydive Dallas), and sell necklaces at least one boogie. Help me out folks! If you're going to a boogie and you'd like 3 Ring Necklace there, give me a shout! If you want 3 Ring Necklaces sold at your dropzone, give me some contact info and we'll talk!
Blue skies everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
This past year was filled with both very good and very bad occurrences. The very bad being two injuries, one right after the other. In May, I sprained my left mcl and sublexed my kneecap on a no-wind tandem landing. Thankfully, no surgery was needed and I was back in the air two months later. Two months after that, I tore my right acl, mcl, and did extensive cartilage damage to my right knee, which resulted in surgery. I'm back walking again and I almost have my full range of motion back. The muscles in my right leg have shriveled up and disappeared though. I won't be back to jumping until the spring.
On to the good-
the best thing that happened to me this past year (or probably ever for that matter) was forming a relationship with my boyfriend, Roger. He's a skydiver too! I could go on and on about how great he is, but I'll just sum it up by saying that I'm crazy about him (crazy in a good way, not crazy in the stalker way).
But the new year is upon us, and like I said, with each new year comes new chances. Considering that I'm a sport psychologist by trade, I don't make new year's resolutions- I make GOALS! My goals for 3 Ring Necklace this year are to sport at least 10 new designs every month, start selling necklaces in the pro-shops of at least one other dropzone (besides Skydive Dallas), and sell necklaces at least one boogie. Help me out folks! If you're going to a boogie and you'd like 3 Ring Necklace there, give me a shout! If you want 3 Ring Necklaces sold at your dropzone, give me some contact info and we'll talk!
Blue skies everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Friday, December 17, 2010
2 months and counting
It's been over two months since my knee surgery and what a journey it has been. Between laying on the couch for 6 weeks using a CPM (Continuous Passive Motion) machine for 6 hours a day, non-weight bearing on crutches for 6 weeks, dealing with narcotics withdrawal, and watching my quad muscles disappear before my very eyes, I have been trying to stay upbeat. For the most part I have been mentally ok, but there were days were I would just sob and all Roger could do was hold me. He'd tell me encouraging things, such as I'm a strong person and that I'm going to get through this. He felt that he wasn't helping at all, but truly it was the best thing anyone could ever do for me.
There were other times when I realized that the best medicine does not come in a bottle. During my most painful hours of the night, my cat Lily would climb up unto my chest and start purring. She's look at me as if she were saying, "Well, are you just going to lay there or are you going to pet me?!"
I'm no longer on crutches. I walked with a cane for a while, but I'm not using that anymore either. My biggest challenge right now is my leg extension- getting the lower part of my leg to swing to full extension when I'm walking. I also don't have my full flexion back either, which has been a very painful journey in and of itself.
But what is keeping me sane right now is reminding myself of how far I have come, rather than how far I have to go. I'm walking, I can take a shower standing up, I'm not on pain medicine, and I'm back at work. Hopefully in two months from now, I'll have double the improvement that I have now. :)
There were other times when I realized that the best medicine does not come in a bottle. During my most painful hours of the night, my cat Lily would climb up unto my chest and start purring. She's look at me as if she were saying, "Well, are you just going to lay there or are you going to pet me?!"
I'm no longer on crutches. I walked with a cane for a while, but I'm not using that anymore either. My biggest challenge right now is my leg extension- getting the lower part of my leg to swing to full extension when I'm walking. I also don't have my full flexion back either, which has been a very painful journey in and of itself.
But what is keeping me sane right now is reminding myself of how far I have come, rather than how far I have to go. I'm walking, I can take a shower standing up, I'm not on pain medicine, and I'm back at work. Hopefully in two months from now, I'll have double the improvement that I have now. :)
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Post Op Haze
Yesterday was quite a day. To say the least, anyway.
After being stuck my three times with the IV and waiting for 3 hours, I was finally wheeled into surgery. It was questionable whether or not the acl needed to be replaced but the cartilage needed to be fixed without a doubt. The surgeon removed my screw and saw that my acl was indeed torn. He replaced it with a patella tendon graft and fixed the cartilage. I was in surgery for 4 hours, while Roger paced the halls of the hospital, wondering why the waiting room phone was not ringing with updates.
All I remember is being wheeled down a hall, having the plastic mask put on my face and then I was in the post op area. The surgeon yelled to me across the room that yes, the acl had been replaced. My heart sank but I accepted that it had been done for a good reason.
Right now I am on the coach at Roger's, icing my rubber leg, and feeling out of it from the pain killers. I am concerned but hopeful. Roger has been wonderful and I am so lucky to be with him!
After being stuck my three times with the IV and waiting for 3 hours, I was finally wheeled into surgery. It was questionable whether or not the acl needed to be replaced but the cartilage needed to be fixed without a doubt. The surgeon removed my screw and saw that my acl was indeed torn. He replaced it with a patella tendon graft and fixed the cartilage. I was in surgery for 4 hours, while Roger paced the halls of the hospital, wondering why the waiting room phone was not ringing with updates.
All I remember is being wheeled down a hall, having the plastic mask put on my face and then I was in the post op area. The surgeon yelled to me across the room that yes, the acl had been replaced. My heart sank but I accepted that it had been done for a good reason.
Right now I am on the coach at Roger's, icing my rubber leg, and feeling out of it from the pain killers. I am concerned but hopeful. Roger has been wonderful and I am so lucky to be with him!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Not again!
Roger, my boyfriend (who is also a skydiver), and I went for a hot air balloon jump the day before Labor Day. Long story short, I damaged my right knee and I'm going to need surgery next month. I am still on crutches after 9 days, but the swelling is down and my range of motion is slowly coming back. I won't be able to jump for at least another 7 months. I am not happy with myself at all :( I am trying to keep myself busy by paying more attention to promoting my necklaces.
If you haven't seen my new designs, check out 3 Ring Necklace on Facebook. Any necklace you see can be made as a horizontal design, mini 3 ring or a bracelet!
If you haven't seen my new designs, check out 3 Ring Necklace on Facebook. Any necklace you see can be made as a horizontal design, mini 3 ring or a bracelet!
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I'm in the silver helmet and purple and blue jumpsuit
AFF Course with Jay Stokes