min knä

On the 2nd of October, I was doing some light sparring. I was feeling pretty decent and wanted to start easing my way back into things. Unfortunately, during my sparring session, I pivoted in a way that my knee did not approve of. It felt a bit uncomfortable, but nothing too major.

Or so I thought.

I continued on with my usual training regimen throughout the week. Cardio was a bit rough, even aided with a knee brace for extra support, but I still pushed my way through it. But I noticed that the soreness was not easing up at all.

On the 9th of October, my former roller derby league was having a bout. I was invited to play with them. Probably against my better judgment, I accepted the invitation and decided to strap on my roller skates for a trip down memory lane. I made it through the hour-long bout with the aid of my knee brace and a lot of stretching. I got taken down. And I took others down. And I scored a lot of points in the process.

Unfortunately, having fun also sometimes has its consequences.

I noticed that my knee was still aggravating me. A lot. I have a very high pain tolerance - so for something to continually bother me like this sends up a warning light for me. So today, I made an impromptu visit to my Doctor's office.

Being who I am, they led me right in. I was talking with my Doctor in no time at all. She set up an x-ray, I had it done, and no surprise to either of us - my bones are fine. It was merely a formality for this jacked-up American health care system, and the insurance company.

She has determined that I have damaged my Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) in my knee. As to the extent of the damage - we do not know at this time. We have to follow some protocols with the insurance company and whatnot before they will authorize an MRI. And without the MRI, we are unsure as to the extent of my injury. She has wagered a guess that it is very likely a Grade II injury, but again - nothing will be confirmed until after my MRI.

In the meantime, my Doctor has ordered that I take it easy. I am getting very antsy at this point. I seem to be transitioning from one injury to another, working my way through my various body parts. I don't like being idle, so this whole "resting" thing is getting very boring for me.

But.

I will bide my time.

I will listen to my Doctor.

And when I am given the green flag, I will continue on my journey.

omvandling

On the first of October, I set my sights on something. Something big. I will have to undergo quite the transformation for this accomplishment. But I'm willing to do what it takes.

I have a goal. I have a game plan.

I will not fail.

min revben

This weekend will be the 3-week marker after my injuries procured at Shimmer. My doctor said that it would take 3-6 weeks to heal up. I'm feeling better. Not fantastic. But definitely better. I do not see my doctor again until next week.

Now, I know that this means that I should just take it easy until that point. After all, it would be wise to wait.

But then, I've never claimed to be wise. Smart? Yes. A genius? Perhaps. But wise? Well... there's room for interpretation on that one.

You see, this weekend there is a seminar in Burlington, NC. It's being offered by Mike Quackenbush.

My dilemma:

I can go, participate, and learn something. Or I can stay home, miss out, and learn nothing.

Obviously - because I'm SMART - I'm going to go.

However, I have not yet been given a "go-ahead" from my doctor. Then again - I think I may be smarter than my doctor anyway.

I shall go to the seminar. I shall get my learn on. And we shall see what happens.

It has been decided.

min ögon

They say that eyes are very important, ja? I do not know how many times I have heard that you should never mess with your eyes, because you don't want to take any risks with them.

A few weeks ago, around the 6th of September, I was having a problem with my eyes. They were very red and irritated. I did not like this, so I called my eye doctor. I asked to schedule an appointment. Just my luck - they had a cancellation for that afternoon. So I snatched up the time slot.

When I got there, they told me they couldn't see me. Why? Because they needed a referral from my regular doctor, saying that I needed to go there. Even though I'd been there before. So I went to my doctor, and asked for a referral.

But no. They could not give me a referral until they saw me first. No matter that my eyes looked as red as a happy meal box. So, I asked to schedule an appointment. "I'm sorry - we don't have anything for a few weeks."

Seriously, people? Do you not know who I am? Apparently not. That will change.

Within two hours, they called and told me they could fit me in the next day. That sounded much better to my ears. So I went in, was seen, and a "stat referral" was put in place to get me to the eye doctor.

Now, I am not a doctor. I do not know much about medicine or such things. But what I DO know is that "stat" is short for "statim" which in Latin means "immediately." So, in other words, hurry up and fix the situation.

Because of the lovely medical system in place in America, today - about 3 weeks later - I finally had my appointment with my eye doctor. How's that for stat?

When I got there, I was seen very quickly. They gave me a few tests. On the second one, they told me that I likely wouldn't be able to take it because it wasn't meant to be taken by people with prescriptions as poor as mine. But I made that test my bitch.

After much examination of my eyes, it's been determined that they are dry. Yes, dry. Apparently dryness has affected my ability to wear my contacts for the past month. My eyes are not tearing up like they are supposed to.

I'm Scandinavian, bitch. I'm descended from Vikings. I have no tear ducts. I do not cry.

Needless to say, I've now been put on a prescription. Because I'm too much of a badass to properly "lubricate" my eyes naturally.

And then I had to order new glasses. Because I am not to wear my contacts for a good while longer. Thank you, America, for emptying my wallet today.

I am not a happy camper today. But just you wait - when I bounce back from this - you'll see a whole new side of me.

sjuk

Yes, I am, in fact, sick.

I do not know what I have caught. But it is not fun. In addition to being stuck laying around with a cracked rib and a strained thigh - which are slowly but surely healing - I now get to add being sick to the list.

I do not know how I caught whatever it is I have. Or what it is that I have caught. But it is no fun.

How dare my body let me get sick? I will have to administer a beat-down, I am sure.

This will not last. It can not last. I will defeat it.

vad er i en namn

People often ask me about my name. I would like to say that it is traditional, but it is not. In fact, although my name is native to Sweden, it is not exactly common.

Maja means "pearl." I once researched it's roots, and a breakdown of what it means. The root "Maj" derives from the month of "May." It is also said that people with this name are excellent at analyzing, understanding, and learning. They tend to be mystics, philosophers, scholars, and teachers. Because they live so much in the mind, they tend to be quiet and introspective, and are usually introverts. When presented with issues, they will see the larger picture. Their solitary thoughtfulness and analysis of people and world events may make them seem aloof, and sometimes even melancholy.

Usually I go by my middle name - "Mia." This is a pet form of the name Maria. I more often use this name, as I felt it was more fitting to me. Depending on which meaning you prefer to use, it means either "beloved" or "rebellion." I tend to lean more toward the latter. Numerology states that I am creative, free spirited, artistic, inquiring, innovative and influential.

I enjoy the strong roots of my name. And I hope I am able to live up to it. I remember someone once telling me I had to "make a name" for myself. I plan on it.

Skada

While in Berwyn, I managed to procure some souvenirs. I got a really nice white SHIMMER t-shirt, as well as a Joshi tour t-shirt. I am pretty excited about both.

But - I also left Berwyn with a couple not-so-nice souvenirs.

Per my doctor visit yesterday, I found that I have a Grade II Strain/Contusion in my left thigh, as well as a cracked rib. My estimated recovery time is a minimum of 3-6 weeks, if I take good care of myself.

Unfortunately, this means I'm out of the ring for at least the next month. Which means no gym and no shows. I've canceled my upcoming bookings, and tried to reschedule others.

Until I am able to perform at full capacity, I will be taking some time off.

But I will be back.

Med en hämnd.