Blood Is Sweet. Pain Is Temporary. Glory Is Forever.

Your body is like a temple. But mine is not! It is more like an old punching bag. Battered and in a bad condition. However, i'm still alive and kicking. Miracle? Nope. I still have some gas left in me before i call for a stop for competitive sports. Like i've said, i am taking a break this year from competitive sports and this includes rugby. I've taken many knocks and my body have taken it's toll. To be frank, my body is not that tough. I was borned with German Measels (measels or measles? Whatever!) That made me a handicap. That is a long story. Below are the summary of my past injuries.

Ankle Sprain (Rating: 5/10)
I hate this injury very much. Basically, you can't move much. Immobilised. The worst ankle sprain was during my short stint with US Navy Soccer Club. I played for them for 3 months and during one of the free kick trainings, i got a heavy fall on my ankle and i sprained it pretty bad. I lined up for a shot at goal and all i thought was to curl the ball like Beckham, haha, and my eyes were engrossed on the travelling ball. The trajectory and speed of the ball wasn't that bad but i forgot one thing; what goes up must come down. No, not the ball but I forgot about my right leg. After kicking the ball, i landed on my right ankle and it instantly swelled up pretty badly. I could hear some crunching sound upon impact with the ground. I was out of action for 2 months.

Shin Spleen/ Split Shin (Rating: 3/10)
This injury is not that bad but it is damn irritating. It usually happens when you have not conditioned your body, especially your legs, before you put yourself on a tough physical exercise regime or you do not rest your legs long enough. I got this injury during my stay in TRACOM and HTA. You can still run but it will be uncomfortable.

Right Knee (Open Patella) (Rating: 5/10)
This is yet another painful injury. My first injury of this sort was when i was training for selection for JJC Soccer Team. As you train often, your knee ligament will dry up and if you do not let it recuperate, it will be a permanent damage. Now my knee seems fine because it has been a while since i got myself involved in any callistechnic. Haha. This is a popular injury amongst soccer players and till now at times, i would wear an open patella knee guard.

Right Shoulder Ligament (Rating: 8/10)
Oh boy! Fucking painful. I couldn't even move my right hand at all. I got this injury during a rugby friendly match for my college against Jurong Institute. The referee called for a penalty against us and my scrumhalf did a quick tap and i asked for the ball without realising that there weren't any support. I picked the ball and tried to bulldoze my way trough the fortress of JI players. One Indian chap gave an illegal high tackle and he brought me down. I landed on my right shoulder first and i swear, the moment i landed on the ground, i shouted like pussy. It was damn painful. Actual recuperation period is between 2 and 3 months but i started training after 1 month. There is no scar for this injury but there is a lump on my right shoulder. It still hurts and i can crackle my right shoulder now and it will produce a disgusting crackling sound. Ouch!

Left Shoulder Ligament (Rating: 7/10)
This is the same type of injury as the above-mentioned injury. I got this during a rugby match between JJC and RJC. I managed to side tackle this RJC guy and like before, i landed akwardly.

Minor Lis-franc Dislocation (Rating 9/10)
This injury is the dislocation of my 1st and 2nd metartarsal of my right leg. The pain rating says it all. Damn and fucking painful. I couldn't even get out of the bed without my dad's help. I do not know how i manage to get home in the first place right after the injury. I kept walking and walking until i was finally home. I got it during one of Team JJC Soccer's friendly match. It was against Tanglin secondary school. I saw this lose ball and decided to clear it when my own team mate, Lyn Tween, a Burmese guy, did a two footed challenge. It wasn't his fault as he didn't see my coming. Till now, i have difficulty walking.

Degeneration of the lower spinal cord (Rating: 9/10)
This is a long term injury and it can not be cured without operation. My father got the same injury as I. Basically, i can't be bothered to go to any specialised doctors because i already knew what i am suffering from. My father got the same syptom of this injury. At first everything will be alright as the pain resembles that of normal back ache. Then the situation will worsen and from small pain, you will get prolong pang. The feeling is like somebody is splitting your spine into two.I got this injury when i wrestled my friend in those days in secondary school. Your whole day will be ruined because of this injury. You can't sit properly for a long period of time. You can't walk properly. You can't sleep peacefully. Basically, your life will change. Mine had! What i heard from my friend is that if this injury goes untreated, i can be bedridden for life. Something to ponder...

Laceration of upper lip (Rating: 3/10)
Not that painfull at all. When i first caught a glimpse of myself right after the incident, i thought i am going to look uglier. Haha. My upper lip almost splitted into two. Blood was oozing at first but stopped after a while. I needed 9 stitches in total.

Sprain of my right toe (Rating: 6/10)
Quite painful and at the same time irritating. This is the case when i miskicked a ball.

Swelling of the right heel (Rating: 6.5/10)
I can't move properly with this injury. I got this two months ago. I wanted to block a shot by bringing up my right leg and i forgot to bring it down gently. I accidentally stomp my right foot on the ground.

Internal bleeding of the brain (Rating: 8.5/10)
There was a blood clot in my brain and i have to be brought to a Neuro specialist in TTSH. I lost all my short term memory and right after the injury, i felt like vomitting. I got this injury in secondary school when my friend did a Russian Leg Sweep on me during our wrestling activity. Haha. I told my parents that i fell down the stairs. The CAT scan cost my dad 350 bucks!

Dead legs (Rating: 7.5/10)
Damn irritating as you can't move much with this injury. This is my favourite injury as i got many MCs during TRACOM time. The doctor can't basically check whether that muscle group of your injured leg is really swollen because it is difficult to do so. The doctors will usually give you MCs. Haha.I usually got this injury after rugby trainings.

Hamstring (Rating: 7.5/10)
A very famous amongst sportmen especially sprinters and soccer players. The worst i got was during my college days. After i disrupted my NS, i resumed my rugby training for my college while i was having a swollen buttocks. Thus, i couldn't run properly and have to use much of my hamstring so much so that it almost got torn. I missed most of the rugby matches because of this injury.

Broken Heart (Rating: only God knows)
If you can avoid this injury, i encourage you to because all injuries have their cures except this injury. This injury might be a result of loneliness or simply because someone hurt your feelings. Damn painful. This injury is worse than death. This is my worst injury. Sigh!

Possible injuries/ diseases

• heart disease
• lung cancer
• diabetes
• throat cancer
• parkinson disease
• high blood pressure
• alzeihmer
• more serious broken heart

The lesson to be learned from my experience is that you really have to take care of your body. Your body is sacred. You need to use your body till you are old. Don't smoke because it is really bad for your health. It is of no use to suffer later when you are old. The damage is irreversible. All those advices above are from my AD. Haha. Obviously not from me. I live with this principle, 'Pain is temporary. Glory is forever.' Long live King Crippler!