Today

Today is the big day. It's been on the horizon since I don't know when. I don't really remember the first time I threw and felt the pain down the outside of my right arm. I don't really remember the first time I woke up and couldn't raise my right arm. I don't remember the first time I woke up in pain in the middle of the night because I was lying on my right side. I didn't really know what was wrong, but I had a feeling it would lead to today.

I tried so many things, topical analgesics and ice to start with. Then it was vitamin I. I took ibuprofen by the hand full. Both of these methods provided temporary relief, but the pain was getting worse. I finally went to the md, who said it sounded like rotator cuff issues. He sent me for an MRI to confirm his suspicion. He was right, I had torn my rotator cuff. He put me on prescriptions and sent me for physical therapy. Again, the relief was temporary. He gave me a cortisone shot (legalized torture, mind you) but again the relief was temporary.

So I feel pretty good about saying that I really tried everything to avoid today. Today. Today is the day they operate on my shoulder. I've never had surgery before, so I have no idea what to expect. One friend who had the same surgery told me that I would be useless for weeks, and the pain would be substantial. "Thanks for the encouragement," I said. To this, he replied, "Brother, it's the best thing I ever did, but if I wasn't honest with you, what kind of friend would I be?" OK, you win. Thanks for the warning.

So I'm getting cut today. For the record, I slept like 8 minutes last night. It's not fear, or excitement. At least, I think it's not. I think it's uneasiness. It's arthroscopic, so hopefully it won't be too life changing. I am definitely not looking forward to 4 weeks in a sling. Or a couple of months of therapy. I have no idea how I'm going to survive even 1 day without using my right arm. I guess I'll manage.

It's time to saddle up. Pray for me. I'll keep the world up to date on this whole deal. Maybe even post a pic or two. We'll see about that....I will be typing with only 1 hand.