An Injury Saved a Life

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I was at the University of Florida women's gymnastics meet tonight, and during one of the floor routines a gymnast from Arkansas landed wrong and hurt her leg. She had to be carried off the mats and into the locker room for treatment. It reminded me of a similar incident about a year ago, when another college team was in town for a meet against the Gators. During the floor routine, the gymnast from the other team did a series of flips and tumbles, but fell flat on her face on her last flip, causing a potential spinal injury. She was held motionless on the floor until the paramedics could stabilize her and backboard her for a trip to the emergency room. Everyone in the audience, including all the gymnasts and coaches on the floor, were completely devastated by the girl's injury. However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. While she was in the hospital getting x-rays, CAT scans and MRI's to determine the extent and nature of her injuries, doctors discovered that the athlete had a brain tumor. They were able to catch it early enough to treat, and that gymnast is now well on her way to recovery and remission. Had she not sustained a serious injury during the gymnastics meet last year, her condition might not have been diagnosed until it was too late. Isn't it amazing how sometimes we have to go through hell to get to heaven? I'm just so happy to hear that former gymnast is now doing well and getting on with her life!