Posted This Question Already but Adding on to It....

Updated on April 17, 2008
R.W. asks from Kearney, MO
4 answers

I recently posted about my 14 year old daughter's back pain. Well, I have a new question to sort of add to that...she has cheerleading clinic and tryouts this month the week of the 21st -25th. And, she of course wants to try out (she tried out last year and missed it basically by only a few points). So, she is still in pain, but with alleve and Tylenol and icing her back nightly she is, in my opinion, doing a little better. We have also kept her out of weight training in PE and kept her out of her dance class for a week and a half. She goes for a bone scan this Friday. But, the doctor thinks this is most likely a muscle or ligament issue.
Anyway, my question is this. Should I explain this to the coach that she is having some back issues in case this were to effect or hinder her performance a bit during clinic and tryouts? I just don't want it to A) look like I am trying to play a sympathy card or something and/or B) make the coach think she would be a burden to the squad or a risk. Because she wouldn't be. Also, some of her friends are on the squad so the coach could even hear about it from another girl and I would rather her here it directly from me or my daughter as you know how messages can get garbled!! lol
I really think this back thing will resolve within the next month to month and half at the most as it doesn't look like it is going to be serious. So, I don't want her to not be able to try out as she most likely will be perfectly fine by the time cheer practice and performances would start - camp is late summer and of course games wouldn't start until late August. So, what would you all do? Say something or just see how things play out???

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So What Happened?

Ended up that the back pain became a backseat to the cyst that she ended up with on her ovary. One week before cheer clinics she was hospitalized with an ovarian cyst and had to have surgery. The week that she had to lie in bed recuperating made her back a little better. Her bone scan came back normal and she may just need some physical therapy. Her doctor has said NO MORE WEIGHT LIFTING and sent a note saying so. She got out of the hospital on Sat and clinics began on the Monday. She did a scaled down tryout Friday and she MADE IT! :) We are very proud!

More Answers

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J.F.

answers from Wichita on

please tell the coach and in your own words just as you have explained here. trust that the coach will make an adult decision. i think by not telling the coach is holding back on information that is vital to the wellbeing of your daughter's health and actions. You can enlist the coach in helping your daughter succeed by being totally upfront and honest about how her treatment and diagnosis is coming along and expected times of return to full health and by emphasizing just how much this really means to your daughter. Then let GOD deal with the rest. (do not worry about playing sympathy card your daughter certainly deserves any she might get it is never good to worry about that beforehand... those who use the sympathy card we are all too aware of... the coach would not think she would be burden to squad if she is aware that the back issue most likely is a temporary disability. I personally would keep her out of any other activities let her back rest to improve her health faster to be better able to compete however maybe ask her to warm up and stretch or light yoga as the date comes nearer... i know with my own back problem the faster way i had to recover so quickly as i was alone with toddler.. was pure rest ... and of course pain pills for those times its intolerable.. good luck to you ps dont mind my opinion and hope it might help feel free to select and choose... ;)

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A.D.

answers from St. Louis on

Has your daughter had any type of massage/bodywork done on her to help her relax? Don't know if I would say anything to the coach.
A. www.NSTStLouis.com

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M.C.

answers from Joplin on

If it is a Muscle or ligament issue and the tryout could increase the injury, then you owe it to your daughter's future health to tell the coach so that undue stress is not placed on the given ligament/muscle and it ruptures. As long as the coach understands that this is an acute, temporary condition, there is no reason to think that it would hinder her chances, however, if she goes 100% at the tryout and really screws something up, not only will she not make the squad this year, but her entire high school career will be wasted on the sideline. I work with a lady who's son was a high school football star, and by star I mean STANDOUT. His Senior year he tore his ACL (knee) and was out for the entire season,but now, after surgery and therapy, he is again a standout in a college program. It was difficult for him (and HER) to miss his senior year, and he really tried to play it off and go out for the team anyway and just "tuff it out". but his mom made him miss his senior year so that he didn't do any lasting damage. If she doesn't tryout, there is always next year, if she tries out and damages something further, there may NOT be next year.

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S.R.

answers from Columbia on

Don't say anything to the coach.
It's more likely to backfire than to help.

I don't have kids this age yet but I'm thinking more from her perspective. It means a LOT to her to do the cheerleading thing & she's got to be able to get in on her own merit. The risk that having you say something could be a strike against her (like the coach would think she'd be a burden) is just too great.

Let her try out. Bite your tongue. Hope for the best.

Let us know how it goes. And the results of the bone scan too. I sure hope she gets better soon & that this whole cheerleading thing doesn't turn out to be a huge mistake!

All my best,
S.

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