WAG Staying positive during injury

[NYGymfamily]

BTW: We are not seeking medical advice, DD is being seen by a orthopaedic doctor. Just looking for some advice on the mental side of injury.
I'll start with some background about DD's injury:
Over the past few months, DD has developed pain in her elbow doing almost anything. she can do basic everyday tasks like eating and typing, but at this point, she can barely carry anything or put pressure on it. The smallest bend or twist creates a painful cracking noise and sensation, and occasionally the elbow will get locked. A little over a week ago, we got two possible diagnoses. Triceps tendonitis or loose cartilage. She's starting PT next week and getting an MRI in two weeks.

Needless to say, she is anxious and uncomfortable. She is training Level 8/Xcel Sapphire and going into her junior year of high school. If it is loose cartilage, she will most likely get surgery and be out for a whole year. Even if it is 'only' tendonitis, we've been told it's still going to be a long road to being at full strength again. She's terrified of the possiblility of being out for one of her last gymnastics seasons. She knows she's not going to compete in college, and knows high school is pretty much the end of the line for her. She's worried about getting discouraged during the comeback, or feeling like there is no point to coming back just to compete a few times her senior year.

Any tips or advice on mentally handling long term injuries?

 

[HopefulGymnast]

high school is pretty much the end of the line for her. She's worried about getting discouraged during the comeback, or feeling like there is no point to coming back just to compete a few times her senior year.

Just curious, why is high school the end of the line?
I'm wondering because some of the concerns with her injury could be about feeling she doesn't have much time left in the sport. If she wants more time in the sport, could she? (I always find it super weird that people just assume high school is over = sports ends).

I'm not an expert, I recently heard I may need foot surgery and I think I really freaked out. Are you worried about the present (how to handle the uncertainty and all), the recovery period to come, or the return to sport after?

What might help is talking to a PT or fysio that's specialised in gymnastics about what she can do int he time off. Can she do hollow holds? squats? running for stamina? I think if she has at least somewhat of a plan, it may seem less daunting?