Yes, I’m writing two posts today, and I’m not even going to apologize.
When I scheduled my Amazon post, I didn’t even think about the fact that I’d be hitting the three-week milestone today, and I really wanted to document my progress after this second shoulder surgery, so here we go.
This is my second full week back at work after surgery on my right shoulder, and it’s been a bit beastly, let me tell you.
My office is heading into its busiest season, which means I’m spending hours upon hours in front of my computer typing all the things.
All of them.
I’m still in the sling (and will be for three more weeks), and although I’m doing my best not to move my shoulder much, the micro movements have been enough to cause tremendous discomfort.
I remember this same thing happening after surgery on my left shoulder, but the blessing of time and the healing that accompanied it was that the memory of the exact amount of pain I’d dealt with had started to fade.
I went to physical therapy yesterday after work, and the first question, as always, was “How’s the shoulder today?”
Yeah. Not good.
Nor worrisome bad but not good.
There’s an exercise I have to do where I pull my scapulas back, and I haven’t been able to do it without a lot of pain. The only way I can do them is by supporting my right arm with my left.
One of the things I really love about physical therapy is when my arm gets stretched out.
It’s something that I both dread and appreciate. My therapist is incredibly gentle and watches me closely to gauge when he’s taken me to my limit.
I’m not gonna lie. Yesterday was horrible.
He told me that my shoulder was very tight and that he couldn’t even get it to neutral.
I told him that I wasn’t enjoying it one single bit and that it actually sucked quite badly.
He chuckled. We have a very good rapport.
I told him I wanted to say some wordy dirds (my version of the phrase “dirty words”). He said I could, but I told him that I didn’t want him to think badly of me.
Bless.
I’d gone backwards a bit, but this kind of surgery and rehab is like that . . . baby steps forward and adult steps back.
It’s becoming a tiresome journey but one I’m determined to see through to the end with as much of a smile as I can muster.
I didn’t do the scapula exercises at therapy. I think my therapist realized how bad off I was and rolled on without making me do the dreaded motions.
He did have me turn on my good side so he could pull my back muscles down – to maybe release them? I couldn’t even put my right arm on my side without pain.
But I muddled through, he iced me down and put the tens unit on me – my prize for enduring the hard stuff.
I have a friend who texted me two days ago. She’d just scheduled surgery for the same shoulder repairs – fortunately only in one arm.
She wanted advice, and I sent her a lot.
I have learned, through each of my health challenges, that God always uses them to help someone else.
As I texted my friend about buying short sleeve pajamas, purchasing a water resistant sling for the bath, going to the surgery center in her pajamas, having her hairstylist on standby, letting go of the notion of cleaning her house, and a plethora of other tidbits, I had to smile in gratitude that my journey hasn’t been for naught.
I look forward to supporting her through her own road to recovery, commiserating with her through the ups and downs, and cheering with her when she turns a corner and sees progress.
I’m anticipating my own milestones for both of shoulders (especially the right one) and am not ashamed to admit that I wish some of those would hurry up and make their appearances.
Ha!
Thanks, as always, for your prayers and for being a “listening” ear as I continue to heal.
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