At seven years of age my life changed forever when my parents enrolled me in a gymnastics class. Since then I spend most of my life inside a smelly, chalked filled gym. In September 2014, I was sent to an orthopedic hip specialist due to a lesion that was found in my left hip. The lesion was found when I had an x-ray taken of my lower back in an effort to understand why I had shin splints. My hip had been hurting months prior but I assumed it was from rigorous stretching my coach was having me do. The doctor ordered me to have a Bone Scan and MRI performed on the lesion in my hip. The results came back clean, but I was referred to a specialist for a second opinion.
March 2015, six months after being referred for a second opinion, I was finally sitting in the doctor's office waiting to hear the results. By now, my hip was in tremendous pain. The doctor came into the room and I was told I …show more content…
I was beyond nervous but eager to have the tumor removed. My surgery was successful and I was given a six - twelve week recovery. I was released from the hospital the day following my surgery. Bored at home, all I wanted to do was get back in the gym so I could try to compete at the State Championships at the end of May. Two week post-op my doctor allowed me to go to gymnastics and do light conditioning. Six weeks following my surgery I was fully cleared by my doctor to do anything as long as it didn't cause pain. I pushed myself as far as I could every practice just so I could compete at States in two weeks. Two weeks passed and I was on my way to Hampton Roads in Hampton, VA to compete with my team and twin sister at States. I had my leotard on and my hip wrapped in an ACE bandage. I watched as my teammates competed on all four events, and then I took to the floor and did the only routine I was ready for at the time- but I didn't mind not doing all of the events, because I was just happy to be able to do what I loved
March 2015, six months after being referred for a second opinion, I was finally sitting in the doctor's office waiting to hear the results. By now, my hip was in tremendous pain. The doctor came into the room and I was told I …show more content…
I was beyond nervous but eager to have the tumor removed. My surgery was successful and I was given a six - twelve week recovery. I was released from the hospital the day following my surgery. Bored at home, all I wanted to do was get back in the gym so I could try to compete at the State Championships at the end of May. Two week post-op my doctor allowed me to go to gymnastics and do light conditioning. Six weeks following my surgery I was fully cleared by my doctor to do anything as long as it didn't cause pain. I pushed myself as far as I could every practice just so I could compete at States in two weeks. Two weeks passed and I was on my way to Hampton Roads in Hampton, VA to compete with my team and twin sister at States. I had my leotard on and my hip wrapped in an ACE bandage. I watched as my teammates competed on all four events, and then I took to the floor and did the only routine I was ready for at the time- but I didn't mind not doing all of the events, because I was just happy to be able to do what I loved