My summer hasn't exactly gone as planned. Sometime toward the end of May I fell at an open skate and injured my knee, earning myself a knee immobilizer, crutches, and nearly 2 months off skates. First diagnosis was a simple knee effusion, but when I finally made it to an orthopedic surgeon I was told I had damaged the cartilage. No surgery, just time. Really, is there ever a "good time" for an injury?? No, probably not.

Despite being off skates, I tried to stay as productive as possible. I continued to attend practice to soak up as much as I possibly could from observation. I also continued to NSO with our wonderful Ruthless Initiators of Punishment. (Want to be involved with derby but aren't into skating? NSO! Hang out with a ton of cool people!) Now I'm back on skates with only 2 weeks until our next skills test.

I've been attending as many practices and open skates as I can, brushing up on the basics and building my endurance up. (Which was never very good, but I'm working on it.) I'm feeling comfortable on my skates again and am no longer scared of my knee. I can't express the delight I felt when I started falling on it again and didn't feel any pain. I'm hoping to be in better shape by the time the test comes around. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Third time's a charm, right? :D

<3