MY STORY
Over the past few years, it was hard to progress in wakeboarding knowing that with one wrong move I could be out for the season.
In December of 2016, I woke up one morning and felt like I had a “bubble” in my right elbow. It felt like the need to crack your knuckle. I straightened my arm to pop it, like the other times this had happened. I immediately heard and felt a pop, but this time I also had incredible pain. The worst pain I had ever felt! My ring and little finger went numb and I could not move them. I was really scared not knowing what this was going to mean, when it would go away or if it would affect my wakeboarding.
On our way to the emergency room, I could not move my arm without screaming in pain. I had what felt like electric shocks going from my elbow to my fingers. We went to the hospital thinking I had dislocated my arm or something similar. After numerous tests and scans, the results came back normal and I was sent home. The pain continued to get worse. I could not use my arm at all and the medications did not take the pain away. I ended up in the emergency department three more times that week. The Doctors were investigating many diagnoses including autoimmune disease, complex regional pain syndrome, lupus, and others. We finally saw a neurologist. She said, “Something has damaged the ulnar nerve. We don't know what or how but it will take a while to heal”.
School was very rough, from dealing with the pain and trying to navigate the hallways without getting my elbow bumped. Another obstacle was writing. I am right-handed and I could not use my right hand. I overcame that by teaching myself to write with my left hand. I was out of school so much with doctor visits and physical therapy appointments. This lasted about 6 months. Luckily it went away in time for wakeboarding season. This was my first summer competing and I was extremely nervous because I was unable to progress. I didn’t know what triggered my arm, one wrong move and I was done. I pushed through and did what I could do. I ended up placing 9th in my very first competition. I was just happy I was able to get out there and do the sport I love most.
In October 2017 of my freshman year, it happened again even worse. My hand was basically paralyzed. I couldn't move my arm without intense and severe pain. I would feel electric shocks in my arm every five to ten minutes. I stayed strong and fought through the pain. Once again, I was back at the hospital two to three times a week for tests, appointments and therapy. This caused me to miss even more school, all while there were still no answers to why this was happening. The doctors could not figure this out, and the pain was becoming more and more unbearable.
I soon was referred to a hand surgeon. He did many tests including blood work, bone scans, MRI’s and three nerve conduction studies. Still, there were no answers as to what was going on. The surgeon tried a high dose of a steroid as a last resort and it finally helped. This lasted for eight months through my freshman year before it went away. I now had muscle wasting happening in my hand and my arm. I had to figure out how to rebuild all of the muscle I lost.
The feeling returned with a bit of discomfort during my sophomore year. This time it only lasted about a month. My family and I were hoping that it was a sign that it was getting better and possibly be going away now. Maybe it was something that I was outgrowing.
I can’t believe towards the beginning of my junior year, it happened again. I was put on the steroid right away, but it did not work this time. We went back to the Surgeon for more tests, again no answers. I was now being referred to a new elbow specialist. I was able to get an appointment the next month. Right as he walked into the room he said “I’m pretty sure I know what is happening and how to fix it”. At this point, I said, “I don’t care what you have to do, just please fix it!”. After he took a look at my x-rays and examined my arm he told me that I had ulnar nerve subluxation. This is where my ulnar nerve, also known as my funny bone, would pop out over my bone. This explains the bubble and pop I would feel. The only thing that could fix this was surgery. On New Year’s Eve 2019, they took my ulnar nerve and relocated it to the inside of my arm. I was nervous and excited at the same time. After the surgery, the Doctor told my Dad, “I think this will work, I am hopeful she will regain full use of her hand, she had a pretty severe case”. The surgery was a success and it changed my life! Ever since, I've been able to do everything without any problems. The last four years have been difficult, to say the least, and I feel very grateful to have my arm fixed.
Progressing in wakeboarding was extremely tough mentally and physically, but I was happy that my arm issue was now behind me. In Spring 2020 after I got my cast off, I knew I had to work super hard. I had to regain all my muscles so that I wouldn’t get set back for wakeboarding. I was determined and worked extremely hard, and with that, I was able to regain my strength and more. That summer, I worked my butt off knowing that I wouldn’t have problems with my arm. After I placed 3rd In June, I knew competitive wakeboarding was what I wanted to do. After that competition, I learned new things and was excited for July’s competition.
In July, I placed 4th. While I was happy that I improved, I knew that I could do better. I texted my coach after that competition and told him my goal was to place 1st in August, and that I would do whatever it takes to get there. I worked so hard, pushing myself to be better, falling hard, and getting right back up. I was training until my hands would bleed, and practicing rain or shine. I would train one to three hours a day including on the water and off on a trampoline. I practiced the same trick over and over until I had it down. After putting in all that work, I ended up placing 1st for the tournament and 2nd in overalls. I also did a virtual competition and placed 3rd. I’m so excited to learn new tricks and explore more and bigger competitions in 2021.
I know that many people may feel or think that after facing an obstacle or injury they may never be the same, or they don’t want to risk anything by trying new things. I hope that my story inspires others to get back out there, to work hard, and dedicate their time. If there is one thing to take away from my story, it is not to get discouraged by a setback. Just know that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
