DOWN BUT DEFINITELY NOT OUT....

If I could've foreseen myself being injured last week Saturday, I would've never guessed that in the wake of such a terrible setback, that I would be doing so well....emotionally, at least.

I got my MRI results back and as was suspected, I do have a partial tear in the middle of my Achilles tendon, about 4-5cms. in length. That being said, it could be worse. Apart from swelling, there's no further damage to my foot or calf. I've already begun some pretty intensive therapy and since I don't need surgery, I've been looking into some other innovative and effective treatment options and let's just say, I'm feeling a lot more hopeful than I did a couple days ago:-)

Additionally, I am amazed at how when you find yourself at your lowest, how people, both friends and strangers alike, step up and show you so much compassion and love. From the number of people that have opened doors for me, carried bags for me, to the lady who pumped my gas for me, receiving some beautiful get-well flowers:-), to all the daily texts and calls and bbms from everyone just checking on me and making sure I'm OK, I just feel blessed to know that people care. They really care. And I'm telling you, it helps SO much!!! Don't get me wrong, these crutches really suck but I'm just saying, it could be worse!


Pic of my poor foot:-(

Last night, I received an e-mail from a young man from the Bahamas who I do not know (I hope he doesn't mind that I post the content of his e-mail here), telling me how much I have impacted his life and it just lifted my spirits all the way up.

"Jackie: You don't know who I am but when I was in high school in the Bahamas, I heard a story on the news about a student at Queen's College (high school in the Bahamas) who was an outstanding student as well as a gifted athlete. I thought that was unique and it inspired me to not only focus on being a good student but to be well rounded as well. When I graduated from high school, I was salutatorian and won the award for the most well rounded student in my class. I also ended up getting two scholarships that allowed me to be able to get a free college education. Without it I would not have been able to attend college. Being well rounded has helped me a lot in my life and has kept me balanced. Even though you haven't struck gold in the Olympics yet, as a Bahamian I am proud of your accomplishments and how your hard work and example has affected me. - Your Fellow Bahamian"

How could I possibly be sad after reading something like that? Anyway, I just wanted to say I'm doing OK and I'm DEFINITELY not ready to be counted out just yet!


*********

On a lighter, happier, more special note...today is also a day to celebrate "The Truth";-) and so I wanted to post a couple quotes that signify just how I feel.

"The truth is always exciting. Speak it, then. Life is dull without it." (So true...)
Pearl S. Buck

"Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me the truth." (All day, every day, lol!)
Henry David Thoreau

HAVE AN AWESOME DAY!!!!!

ONE WEEK TO GO....

So I have one week to go before my qualifying round in the long jump on August 19th. So far my training has been going very well and I looking forward to the competition. My start time next week is at 9:15am and so I have been getting up pretty early to get my body accustomed to being active at that time of day. If any of you know me, you'll know that I am not really a morning person. Funny thing is though,once you get on a routine, it really isn't that bad.

The weather here is CRAZY! The day of the opening ceremonies it was ridiculously hot and humid, the following day, it was pretty hot in the morning, cool and breezy in the afternoon, the next day we had TORRENTIAL downpours, and then back to hot today. Who knows what to expect from day to day, so you really just have to be ready for anything.

I've been having a pretty good time here in the village just walking around and seeing the different athletes that are here. There is a lot to do here so there's not too much down time. I'm planning on heading out to the swimming in the next couple of days to see Mr. Phelps do his thing. You know he looks a lot taller on TV.

I'm a big tennis fan and so I really want to get a chance to get out the tennis venue to see who I can see. Right now Nadal is playing Hewitt, but I'm just watching a TV in the village. Everyone's been going shopping down in this area called the silk market where they have the best of the best knockoffs of everything from Gucci to Prada and everything in between. Me being the non-name brand girl that I am, I haven't ventured down there yet but I might go take a look one of these days, we'll see.

Anyway, here are few pics of me just hanging out and then one of the building in which the Bahamas team is staying. That's it for now. Tomorrow is my day off but Brooks told me to come out and do a jog, stretch, massage, icebath, etc. I'm still gonna head out pretty early so that I don't break my rhythym.

STILL ALIVE.....

I know that it's been several days since I last posted but I have been having to deal with something that came up out of the blue. It has been a very trying time for me and very bad timing but I hope that it will soon be coming to a favourable end. Only time will tell. One thing I will say is that I am amazed, blessed and honoured to have the friends that I do who have come to my aid when I most needed you. You never fully realise how much people care about you until you are down and out.

It has been such a roller coaster ride for me this year full of ups and downs and ups and downs. But as the saying goes, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!!" I have been holding on to that recently and I know that everything happens for a reason regardless of how tough the situation might be. A long time mentor and friend of mine sent me these words the other day and they have never been more appropriate.

'To get something you never had, you have to do something
you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp,
He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to
receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence...
'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God
will not protect you.'

So true, right!!!!

Anyway, I'm doing OK now and am finally able to get back to my training and focusing on whats lies ahead for me in just a few short weeks. Can you believe it? The Olympics are only a little more than 2 weeks away!!! Time has just flown by but everything is coming together in my jumping just in the right time and I am looking forward to the big day.

I'll take a picture later and post it, just to let you all know, friends and family that I'm still smiling, still standing, still ready to do my best. Brooks, Dave and Tiff are all over in Europe doing a couple last meets in preparation. I am so looking forward to seeing them in a couple weeks.