Minor Catastrophes

Well.

I had a fun Monday night.

Long story short, I went to my regular adult gymnastics class and about half an hour into the class, dislocated my left shoulder doing a spotted back handspring.

Whether I had a funny action going on or my shoulder literally just gave out, I do not know. What I do know is that the second my hands touched the floor, I felt the whole joint just collapse.

Now, I've popped my shoulder before. When I was about 12, it popped out during a back pushover, BUT it went straight back in and the next day, other than feeling a little stiff, I was fine.

But yesterday when I felt my shoulder joint move, I was literally able to pinpoint the moment it went past the point of no return.

I folded over onto the floor and said to the coach, Jeff, "my shoulder just popped out". I didn't say it calmly. I was on the verge of tears and a little panicky. Jeff yelled for Pete, and then asked me if it had gone back in. When I shook my head, he yelled for Tony, who immediately went to call an ambulance.

I don't remember much from when I was sitting on the floor, because I was in shock, feeling lightheaded, and legitimately trying to get some tears flowing because everyone knows tears are a good pain release. I remember saying to Jeff and Pete over and over 'I need to call my mum'.

It took them ages because I kept crying out and saying no I can't move, but they eventually got me onto my feet so I could walk to the foyer. I don't know if you've ever dislocated a shoulder, but if you set aside the pain, it is actually THE most uncomfortable feeling ever. There is not one position you can put your body in that will relieve the pressure in the joint. And it may just be a shoulder, but once that goes, you have one weight bearing hand, and any movements you make feel awkward and painful.

I wanted that joint back in, but I was terrified of every move I made potentially popping it back in. I was on my feet and my next issue was, I couldn't move my elbow. My whole arm had locked up, and it kept twitching, which aggravated the shoulder joint. I had given up on crying, but I kept whimpering every time it twitched and I was still feeling lightheaded as Jeff walked me towards the foyer.

By the time they got me to the couch, I had calmed myself down. The ambulance was on the way, Pete had grabbed my phone to call my parents, and I realised that after a short while, the pain isn't so bad. It doesn't continually get worse. It hits a high straightaway and stays there. After 5 minutes, you're used to that pain, and it's just the discomfort that continues to bother you.

I called my mum while Pete filled out the injury report form and strapped my up to keep my arm still. Mum was adamant she wanted them to cancel the ambulance and take me in herself, but I insisted I wanted to go in the ambulance because A) I've never been in an ambulance before and B) there were 80 people waiting to be seen in the Joondalup Emergency Room, and I did not want to sit on a hard plastic chair for four hours with a dislocated shoulder.

The ambulance arrived and I went by myself with the paramedic, who was LOVELY. God bless paramedics. I was a little shaky, but he was so nice and friendly. He started an IV in the parking lot at the gym and dosed me up on Fentanyl and Ondansetron. I swear to god, Fentanyl hits you like a train. No sooner had he pushed it through and I was seeing stars.

The ride was quite comfortable and by the time we reached Joondalup, I had disassociated the pain in my shoulder and was actually feeling ready to go to bed. Drugs do weird things man.

I got taken in and the nurse waiting in the back hallway told me I was surprisingly tough; apparently they get a lot of football players who come in with milder dislocations than me, and they're screaming their heads off despite the pain meds, whereas I was sitting on the bed talking to my friend on Facebook with a grin on my face.

I was brought in and evaluated by 9:30pm. The accident happened shortly before 8:30. Two nurses had to get my shirt off, cracking jokes the whole time so I was giggling and making it difficult for them. I got some x-rays, which showed a clear dislocation with no bone damage, which is GOOD. I remember at that point, I was looking at Mum and mouthing that I just really wanted my shoulder back in place because I'd been lying still so long that I was getting really uncomfortable again. Nothing worse than being able to feel your out of place humerus sticking into the hospital bed.

A short while later they drugged me off to sleep so they could set it. I woke up 20 minutes later with my arm in a sling, a complete absence of pain, and the news that Tony Abbott was no longer Prime Minister.

They took me for more x-rays again to make sure it was back in the proper place, and this time, I was allowed to get out of bed and walk to the x-ray table. I was still groggy from being sedated but holy hell I was shivering like no-one's business. After that it was a short trip back to the curtain room to get my IV pulled out and my sling adjusted, and then I was discharged.

I got to walk out of that hospital in a sports bra, my dance shorts, arm in a sling with my jacket thrown around my shoulders, and no shoes on. I got so many funny looks from people in ED. One scathing look from this older woman. Like, I'm sorry I went in an ambulance and got priority.

Then I headed home and went to bed. Sleeping with a sling is hard. I am probably allowed to sleep without it, but considering big movements may dislocate my shoulder again, I'm happier to keep my arm restricted in the sling and body strap.

Today it's been sore. My elbow is already stiff from lack of use, and I have to fly to Bali with a sling. I'm going to keep wearing the sling in Bali, despite only having to wear it for two weeks, because if people see that I'm 'injured' they won't knock into me so much, and I want to protect my shoulder as long as possible.

After Bali, it's off to the orthopedic surgeon. I will post again when I know more about that.

It's been a crazy start to the week!

Peace.

Xo.

TMI Tag

Emma Blackery answered these questions on her YouTube channel, and never specified who answers next, so I decided to do them myself. Enjoy!

1: What are you wearing? 

A green Bintang shirt and a pair of pyjama shorts that have donuts on them (I just had to check and make sure they were donuts).

2: Ever been in love? 

I don't think so...does being in love with your computer count?

3: Ever had a terrible breakup?

Never had a relationship, so no, I've never had a terrible breakup.

4: How tall are you?

About 5'8-5'9. I'm actually not 100 percent sure, I just know I'm tall.

5: How much do you weigh?

Again, I really don't know. Somewhere around the 65kg mark I would guess.

6: Any tattoos?

Nope

7: Any piercings?

I have my ears pierced once.

8: OTP?

WILLIFER FOREVER!

9: Favourite show?

Criminal Minds. If you have to ask me that question, you obviously don't know me very well.

10: Favourite bands?

I have a lot of favourite singers rather than bands, so I'll throw them in the mix too. PVRIS, Ellie Goulding (love love LOVE!), Echosmith, Albannach, Ben Howard, anyone who composed the soundtracks to any of my favourite movies...

11: Something you miss?

I had a great big list of stuff I miss the other day, and now I can't remember a single thing off of it. Probably the days when I didn't have homework to worry about, and Chelsea and I would have a sleepover pretty much every weekend. The days when the original The Sims game was the absolute shit, the days when I had a functional trampoline (I'll have those days back shortly), the days when my life didn't revolve around actresses and TV shows.

12: Favourite song?

Right now, it's 'Love Me Like You Do' by Ellie Goulding, but it could change in a week or so.

13: How old are you?

I am 18, a legal adult in Australia and the United Kingdom.

14: Zodiac sign?

Virgo

15: Quality you look for in a partner?

Kind, loving, not a cocky arrogant bastard, must be reasonably attractive to me, taller than me, apply within.

16: Favourite Quote? 

"Ssh, the adults are talking. When it's your turn to speak, I'll give you permission" - Jennifer Jareau, a.k.a most badass woman that the world ever did see.

17: Favourite actor?

AJ FREAKING COOK LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

18: Favourite color?

Any shade of blue that reminds me of places like the Maldives and Fji.

19: Loud music or soft?

Depends.

20: Where do you go when you're sad?

To my room to write.

21: How long does it take you to shower?

Freaking ages. Dad has to bang on the door to get me out.

22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

I can get ready in 10 minutes if I'm really desperate for some extra sleep.

23: Ever been in a physical fight?

Only with my sisters.

24: Turn on?

If you like my shows.

25: Turn off?

BO, bad breath, hair that looks like it hasn't been washed (seriously guys, wash your hair).

26: The reason I joined Youtube?

So I could comment on videos I like.

27: Fears?

Terrified of cockroaches. Pretty much every one of my friends has witnessed me run in fear at the sight of a cockroach. And something happening to any one of my Internet friends that I don't know about.

28: Last thing that made you cry?

Chloe's 7 News piece.

29: Last time you said you loved someone?

Pretty sure I said I love William LaMontagne at work today and Sarah laughed at me.

30: Meaning behind your Youtube Name?

xxcourtneyjareauxx

(kiss kiss) first name, surname of favourite character (kiss kiss)

31: Last book you read?

Confessions of a Qantas Flight Attendant

32: The book you're currently reading?

I am going to read 'And The Mountains Echoed' by Khaled Hossaini. Pretty sure I got that either this Christmas or last and I still haven't read it.

33: Last show you watched?

Modern Family

34: Last person you talked to?

My dad.

35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted?

Emily is a really close friend from high school, we were discussing what movie she should watch.

36: Favourite food?

I really, really love microwave popcorn.

37: Place you want to visit?

You should all know that; Scotland.

38: Last place you were?

Other than here in my bed, I was at work.

39: Do you have a crush?

Yes.

40: Last time you kissed someone?

I have never been kissed.

41: Last time you were insulted?

Some arrogant customer at work told me I was a rude bitch because I wouldn't do them a deal on their $10 late fees, which I'm not allowed to do anyway, so I asked them politely to leave the store.

42: Favourite flavour of sweet?

Apple. Watermelon. Grape.

43: What instruments do you play?

I used to play the clarinet, and I still sometimes play the recorder super badly to annoy my mum.

44: Favourite piece of jewellery?

I don't really wear jewellery, but I have a Deathly Hallows necklace.

45: Last sport you played?

Gymnastics is a sport. I don't care what anyone says. Some guy I went to school said it's not a sport because athletes don't wear leotards and makeup. Gymnastics is a freaking sport, the amount of training and dedication you have to have more than qualifies it. Gymnasts probably train more than half of the other sports at the Olympics!

46: Last song you sang?

St Patrick by PVRIS.

47: Favourite chat up line?

Wouldn't know one, never used one.

48: Have you ever used it?

Read above.

49: Last time you hung out with anyone?

I had to seriously think about that. Probably with Kathryn on Wednesday.

50: Who should answer these questions next?

Everyone who wants to.

Gymnastics: The Seasonal Obsession

So it just occurred to me that the Summer Olympics in Rio are next year.

Holy cow! Where have the last four years gone? I swear it was just yesterday that I was fist pumping in class because the Fierce Five won the team final, and convincing my teacher to let me keep my phone on my desk so I could find out who won the floor final (because I so wanted it to be Lauren Mitchell) the second it finished.

I've always been drawn to gymnastics. But I was never truly interested in it until the London Olympics rolled around. Sometime around April of that year, a friend mentioned McKayla Maroney during our lunch break at school. She didn't say much, just that she was an American gymnast.

I went home and googled McKayla. I found myself watching her 2011 routines on YouTube, and fell in love with the girl's vaulting.

That night, Lauren Mitchell was interviewed on the news.

And so it began.

The leadup to the 2012 Olympics was an exciting time in my house. I was eagerly awaiting the gymnastics. I didn't understand the scoring system at the time, I couldn't tell Jordyn Wieber and Aly Raisman apart, and I had absolutely no clue who Catalina Ponor and Aliya Mustafina were. But I was ready to watch some amazing gymnastics. My sisters were eagerly awaiting the track and field. My dad was hanging out for the cycling, and Mum was itching to watch some diving.

On the day of the Opening Ceremony, my sisters and I rose at 3am to watch the live broadcast. I fell asleep at 4 because I was absolutely knackered, but I had recorded it, and proceeded to watch it about 7 times over.

Something about the music used in the opening ceremony in London stirs beautiful memories inside of me. I almost feel like I was there. I still have the Isles of Wonder soundtrack on my iTunes and I still listen to it everyday.

Then came the competition.

I missed most of the qualifications and all of the team final because Channel 9's coverage was ridiculous. But I checked every day to find out who I could expect in finals, and managed to find the team final on YouTube the day after (I knew the results, but wanted to watch the competition).

When the Fierce Five won, I excitedly relayed the news to my friends. Told anyone who listen that they were the first American team since 1996 to win the gold.

In the all-around, I was rooting for Komova. I had read about her struggles to grasp gold, and hoped upon hope that 2012 would be her year. When she fell short again, I wished she could go back and redo her vault.

And the finals were a blur. All I remember is being horrifically upset that Lauren Mitchell couldn't nab a bronze. Oh well. She got gold in 2010, and Australia will always commend her for that.

But then came 2013. In the lull after the Olympics, everything had...died. I took up adult recreational gymnastics and that gave me a whole new appreciation for the sport. Even so, the American Cup wasn't as exciting to watch, as there were so many young and inexperienced faces. Something about Olympic year makes everything far more exciting in gymnastics.

I watched the US Nationals about a week after they happened (that's another thing. I don't watch any other countries nationals. Weird, but I just don't like the presentation of the arena at Australia's Nationals. We don't use podiums and it is WEIRD). By the time Worlds came, I had dropped off the gymternet.

What happened?

Before I get into it, I'm not a four year fan. A four year fan is someone who only takes notice of gymnastics in the Olympic years and you can always identify them because 99% of the time, they will have no clue what they are talking about.

Of course, I would only call myself a gymfan since 2012. I took it upon myself to learn about gymnastics history, the scoring system, who were considered the 'greats' and became embarrassingly invested in Andreea Raducan's unfair medal stripping.

I think, without something as big as the Olympics to focus on, other things slowly took priority. Criminal Minds, fanfiction, university, driving, dancing...and now that 2016 is rolling around faster than I ever expected, it's time to brush the old chalk off my imaginary grips and jump back into the game.

I have to go back and properly watch the last two World Championships, U.S. Nationals, and American Cups before Glasgow rolls around. I need to brush up my knowledge of the scoring, and quiz myself on each skill (at the end of 2012, I could pretty much name every skill on beam and floor. Was hopeless with bars skills and the only vaults I can identify are Amanars and DTYs)

As soon as I thought about 2016, I started considering the US team. And a little bit of the Australian team.

For the USA, at the moment, it would be Simone Biles. If she isn't injured next year and doesn't make the team, I'll eat my computer. I remember in 2012, everyone was sure it would be Katelyn Ohashi. Oh how times have changed.

My other two that I would love to see go are the Mikaylas - McKayla Maroney and Mykayla Skinner. McKayla has so much to finish. People may hate her, but I love McKayla and I really hope she makes it to Rio so she can fight for that vault gold she tragically slipped up in London. If she doesn't make it, I'll be really sad.

Realistically though, only one Mikayla will make the team. They are both strong on the same events and Marta isn't going to send two event specialists for the same two events.

While I think if McKayla makes it to Worlds this year, does well, and is consistent through next year, it's hard to imagine her making the team, since no female American gymnast has made a repeat Olympic team since Amy Chow and Dominique Dawes did it in 2000.

I honestly don't want to see Gabby Douglas make the team again. It's harsh, yes, but I don't feel like she deserves it anymore as much as some of the other girls. If you had asked me in December 2012 whether I wanted Gabby to go back, I'd have said yes. But with the amount of time off she's had, and the gym hopping she's done, her making the team in 2016 would be taking a spot away from a girl who has trained consistently over the past four years.

If she makes the team, then good on her, but I'd be lying if I say I wouldn't be slightly pissed off.

As for Australia...I really have no idea what's going on with this country. We've got a couple of juniors, maybe one or two seniors that have a real shot. Half of our 2012 team retired. It's hard to keep up with gymnastics in this country because it doesn't get the exposure that the US does, hence why I just stay in the know about the US gymnasts.

If Lauren Mitchell is still training next year and isn't seriously injured, I'm hard pressed to find a reason why Peggy Liddick wouldn't put her on the team. She's our golden girl and she can pull out a solid routine when we need it.

Olivia Vivian however, is just having a hell of a year. I had coffee with Olivia in October last year and she seemed pretty determined to keep working and improving. I'd love to see Olivia go back to the Games. She's such an interesting girl to watch out there.

Mary Anne Monckton - I don't know a lot about her, but her name has popped up a lot in conjunction with Australian gymnastics recently, as has Emily Little, so those are the four contenders I'm thinking for next year.

Hell, we'll get to June and it'll be four names I've never heard before.

Here's to 2016 and the Rio Games!