journal

Wednesday, August 2, 2000
Hi Everyone!

Last week, something extremely unwanted happened. I tore tissue in my landing foot, and it has affected my ability to skate at a high level. I'm currently icing it all the time and taking very strong medication to help out with the pain. What actually happened was, I have a sesmoid and it moved, which caused the surrounding tissue to be stressed. I have a second doctors appointment on Monday, and hopefully everything checks out and is getting better. I feel much better now. At the beginning of last week, I couldn't even stroke. Now I'm doing triple toe, triple salchow, and triple axel because those are the only jumps that don't force me to take off of my bad foot (left foot). On flip, loop, and lutz I pick in with my left foot, so I haven't been brave enough to try them. I've also continued working on my programs, and hopefully I will be ready for France in 17 days! My foot is much better now than what it was, so I'm sure it's definitely on its path to full recovery, and I'm sure I'll be able to do my best in France!

Love to you all!

-J

Wednesday, August 16, 2000

Hi Everyone!

What's up? A lot is happening with me lately. I am preparing for my junior grand prix in Saint Gervais, France. I can't wait. It is going to be so much fun. I feel like I'm ready and can skate well enough to win the competition. I hope anyway.

My foot is doing much better. I got some new pads and things to help with it. I'm also taking an anti-inflammatory to help with the pain. It turns out that I pinched a nerve and have developed a neroma (or something like that) which is the swelling of the area. I also took a bad fall in practice the other day on a triple flip which twisted my back, and I hit my face on the ice. I have a bruise. It's really quite humorous. It hurt though, and I just twisted it, so it will be fine.

My training is coming along well. My triple axel is about at a 75% in my programs, so hopefully it will show up in France with me.

Other than that, I should do pretty well, and hopefully I can bring back some good memories from my first trip to France. I'll write when I come home! Thanks for visiting! AU REVOIR!

-J