Shoulder Update

So, I know it's been a while since I've written about my shoulder. I figure it's time for an update before this thing turns into a novella. People constantly ask me, "How's the arm?" and my constant reply is, "It's coming." That is pretty much my story. It's better than it's been, but I sure hope it's not where it's going. So here's a brief rundown of the last 6 weeks or so.

I went back to the doctor on September 11th for my 4 week follow up. At that point, I let the doc know it was still hurting and not progressing like I was hoping. He tested my range of motion and told me that even if it seemed as though my bionic arm needed to be oiled, that my progress was actually good. He also said that the pain was to be expected. It's weird how knowing that you're not the only one can be comforting. He gave me new medicine and told me to get back to work. Which is exactly what I've done.

Therapy has been a solid 2-3 times every week. It's not as painful as it was at the outset, but let me level with you...it still stinks. Out loud. All the pulling and stretching and lifting gets old....fast. Just the other day, my therapist ripped my arm off and beat me with it. Or at least it felt like she did. But I know it's necessary. The therapy...not the beatings. I've been taking my anti-inflammatory meds and icing regularly. I'm sure that the exercises are getting easier. It's just that the progress is in such small increments that they are hard to pick up when you look at them every day.

In the past couple of weeks or so, I've noticed that I've been unconsciously reaching for things more with my right hand. Using it more. That's cool, because extending my right arm has been painful and my left arm is virtually useless. I'm what people call very right handed. The opposite of ambidextrous. It's sad really...but I digress. I even noticed myself clapping my hands above my head while leading a song last Sunday. It's been a long time since that has happened. So the progress is undeniable. And very encouraging.

But there's still a good deal of pain. It even wakes me up at night. So I told the doc about it on my next appointment, which was Oct 23. I showed him the spots that were the most troublesome and he gave me some options on what we could do. 1st, he wanted to write me a different script for a new anti-inflammatory med. OK, sounds good. Anything that will help I'm good with. 2nd, he wanted me to try some anti-inflammatory patches that can be put directly on the troublesome areas. Wow, 2 for 2, sounds really good. He even gave me some samples of that to check it out. 3rd, more therapy. Not great, but not terrible. I saw that coming. I need it and it helps, so I can deal with it.

Then he dropped the bomb. Item #4 was, he wanted to give me a cortisone shot in the shoulder. Hold up now. I told him that I remembered the last one. (Just for a refresher. I had one of these in May and it was torture. He used the longest, fattest needle in the history of the world, and drove it in with a ball peen hammer. Well, not really, but just take my word for it....unpleasant.) He said that it was my choice, but he really believed it would help. So, when faced w/ this decision: momentary pain for long term gain...I manned up and had it done.

Don't ask how bad it was, let's just get to the point. It seems to have really helped. The pain is much less, and the mobility is much greater. Therapy is set to continue, and we'll see how it goes. As I look back on it, the last 10 weeks have really seemed like forever. They say time flies when you're having fun. Well, time really creeps when you're not. The doctor told me from the beginning that it would be at least 3 months. I guess that wasn't an exaggeration. He told me on Friday that some people take 6-12 months to be able to do a simple task like changing a light bulb. Based on that new information, I really feel like I'm doing pretty good.

Guess it kinda turned into a novella after all. Not too much funny this time. Hope it was worth your time.