I need advice from my phamily ,please.

[reelguy227]

Hey all,I really need advice concerning something about a foot injury I have,heres the deal ,cope with me ,this will be a long message.

Encase all of you dont know ,Im an Irish Dancer ,it is all I do ,it is my sport.
Irish Dancers are always mandated to dance high on their tip toes ,your heels are never to drop ,or you get points taken off big time from the judges,its just part of the dance .Well since I come down from a leap or some other acrobatic move with my foot in the tip toe postition ,all the shock is distributed in my ankle ,so when this shock is distributed it presses the Novicular (spelling) joint just below the ankle together with the other bone below it ,thus slowly wearing away at the cartilage in between these two bones . Once the cartliage was worn away somewhat ,the two bones were rubbing against each other and eventually the bottom bone became 1/3rd worn down ,so now I have 2/3rds of that bottom bone left .

Yesterday ,I recieved really bad news from my foot doctor saying that unless I get surgery on my foot ,I shouldnt dance ,because there is a high risk that those bones I mentioned will fracture because there is little to no caritlage and 2/3rds of the that bone left. .He also said that even if I do get the surgery ,that it might not allow me to dance because the surgery is a bone fussion ,thus not allowing me to move my foot in certain postitions because the fussion will limit my range of motion.

I love dance too much to just quit now ,I still have a good three years left, not to mention the World Championships over Easter and the National Championships next July. But quitting now would save my foot from being permanently fused and then I could wait for some other advanced treatment to come down the line but if I dont have the fussion I cant dance ,but then theres that risk that I wont be able to dance anways because the fussion will limit the range of motion in my foot ,what would you guys do ?

I really need advice ,If you cant give advice please say some prayers that God guides me in this situation . Hopefully He will enlighten me on what to do in the next two weeks because Ill see the Doctor again then, . Thank you


God Bless and Mary Protect

Ricky

Edited August 5, 2005 by reelguy227

[Noel's angel]

your health is more imporatant than dancing-i'd go for the surgery.

Prayers!

[reelguy227]

Thanks Noels Angel.

[Christie_M]

you don't have to quite just yet. When you praktice* don't dance like if you're in a Feis, just walk it!
until you DO go to a feis, just slow down.

But don't push it.

Prayers!

P.S. this could explain why I never win. I always land on my whole foot and don't have any problems.

Edited August 5, 2005 by Christie_M

[IcePrincessKRS]

I have to say, I agree with Noel. My siblings did Irish dance for awhile and they loved it, too, but if you keep this up and damage your bone any more you may never be able to dance again. At least if you had the surgery you might get the chance to take it up again, especially if you're determined and do your physical therapy stuff regularly. I know any down-time is frustrating when its something that means so much to you, but your health is far more important. If you took that three years to dance before getting surgery you could do serious damage and have problems the rest of your life.

[Christie_M]

I'm an idiot...don't hurt your self!
I agree with Iceprincess.
Prayers!

[kaidoh]

ummmm i no that you love to dance but Ice does have a point umm whats your goal in the dance???

[Christie_M]

to win the Championships!

[reelguy227]

To win the World Championships or the National Championships in my age category .

And I dont want to stop until that goal is accomplished .

Edited August 5, 2005 by reelguy227

[Christie_M]

I didn't eather...but things happen

[reelguy227]

You didnt stop for what ?

[Christie_M]

I had to stop because of my knee and other resons

[let_go_let_God]

Take the time for the surgery and let yourself heal. You don't want something to happen that will make you unable to dance at all.

God bless-
LGLG

[reelguy227]

Thanks for the advice everyone ,it is much appreciated.

I think Ill get the surgery ,and trust that God will let my foot dance after the healing process.

Edited August 5, 2005 by reelguy227

[Christie_M]

while you're healing, your fingers can dance for you!

[IcePrincessKRS]

I really think you have made the right decision. And look at it this way, even if it turns out that you are unable to win championships maybe in the future you can teach other kids how to dance and then your pupils can go on to compete.

[reelguy227]

Ya ,Im already teaching a little and might want me to start up a boys class in the near future for my school ,so that should be fun .But the bad part about this is that Ill be in a cast and have to use crutches for two months following the surgery ,not only will I not be able to drive but my muscles will shrink , not to good if I want to get back into it .

[kaidoh]

thats good i was hopein was goin to do the surgery, but i needed to know your goal 1st

[Christie_M]

I think that all Irish dancers have the same goal lol I just wanted to be a teacher.

[reelguy227]

Why dont you become a teacher ,or are you already ?