Go Chargers & Injury Update

Hi Everyone!

It has been a while since I've written a blog so I wanted to make sure I didn't lose complete touch with everyone. I wanted to first say Go Chargers! I hope they win tomorrow (for those of you who know me as a major Pat's fan, just pretend like you didn't read that).

I'm really excited at how well the Chargers are doing. It has been fun watching them climb their way to the top. Many of you know that the Chargers hold a special place in my heart. One lesson that I think we can all learn from them is that if you keep working hard, eventually you will succeed. It has been 12 years (1995) since the Chargers went to the Super Bowl and tomorrow they will be knocking at the Super Bowl doors again!

As for me, I'm still recovering from an injury to my right shoulder. I haven't been very vocal about it, but I guess now I need the prayers and support to turn it around in time for the Olympic Trials in April. Back in July, I had some pain in my shoulder. I was getting up to four treatments a day and taking a ton of over the counter pain pills. Shooting through the Nationals was tough, but not nearly as tough as shooting through the Olympic Trials.

Anyhow, long story short. I thought it was just inflammation and so I took the month of October off thinking that I would be able to pick it back up again in November. I saw a couple of doctors and got a cortisone shot. Around the same time, I found out that I was no long a resident athlete so I had to find a job in addition to trying to figure out how to take care of my shoulder without sports medicine at the training center.

I landed a sweet job downtown working for Northwestern Mutual and I continue to work at my church running the coffee ministry. I officially began working 7 days a week November 1st and while I wanted to start my training back up again, my shoulder was continuing to bother me and the shot was starting to wear off. Dr. Lenihan had asked me to get an MRI but I held off due to the sheer cost (even with insurance, it costs around $900). Finally, I decided that I needed to get it done.

The MRI came back saying that there was a chance that my teres minor had a small tear in it. I called Troy Bassham, my mental coach and was in a little bit of a panic. There is no time to get a surgery (7 month minimum recovery) and I was afraid that this might be the end of my career. I'm such a competitive person that I almost quit because I thought "If I can't go to the trials at 100%, I don't want to go at all."

Troy encouraged me to get in touch with Dr. Rintala at the Del Mar Chiropractic Sports Group. I'm so thankful that he has offered to work with me. I drive about 45 minutes north 2-3 times a week for treatment. So far it seems to be working and I began shooting again a few weeks ago (after 3 1/2 months off!).

I'm definitely not at 100%, more like 60%, but it is coming together. My shoulder is hurting less, but is still not allowing me to shoot my normal volume or pulling weight. My plan is to be ready to shoot in Vegas in a month... get the competitive vibe kicked in and see where I am with my progress.

Hope you are well! My enewsletter will be coming out in about a week, so be sure to sign up on my website if you haven't already (www.joyofarchery.com).

Thanks!

Joy