Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: Round 2

Hello everyone!

Hope everyone is doing alright out there.

Me?  I'm still recovering from my 2nd Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery.  Thankfully it wasn't as painful this time thanks to this thing called an On-Q ball.  Basically it was a tube inserted into my neck that provided a nerve block that I got to take home with me.  My surgery was on a Tuesday and the ball came out on Friday.  This was a blessing because my first surgery (done in IL back in 2005) was extremely painful.  When the nerve block from surgery wore off I would've killed someone if it meant that the pain went away (metaphorically speaking of course.  I had one arm, what could I really do?)

This surgery was done by a clinic called Steadman Hawkins and their doctor Dr. Keith Lonergan.  The clinic is one of the highest rated in the country, so I am lucky to have been  referred here by my primary doctor.  Dr. Lonergan is highly sought after as well; the recovery nurse told me that people fly from all over the country just to have him operate on them, so he was well worth the wait.  (My initial appointment with him was in early Jan and I was hoping to have my surgery in Feb.  Unfortunately for me Dr. Lonergan broke his arm and he needed to recover.  But he is better and I got in his first week back!)

The surgery itself was done at Greer Memorial Hospital.  It was a fantastic new facility.  Doesn't even feel like a hospital or have that hospital smell.  They took great care of me and even sent me home with a Thank You card.  How many hospitals do that?

Because this is a revision of my first surgery I have been told that I will have a slower paced physical therapy.  I am OK with this so long as I don't end up back on Lonergan's table for this arm.  So their goal and mine is that this will be the last surgery on this shoulder).

Those of you who know me, know that patience is not a virtue that I possess, so my biggest challenge will be not pushing myself farther than my physical therapist, Josh tells me I can go.

I cannot move my arm at all by myself yet, I have a few exercises to do at home so I don't get stiff, but all the major moving is done by Josh & sometimes Bryan.  They can only get me to 30 degrees rotating my arm at the elbow out and raising my arm up only to 90 degrees for the first 6 weeks unless Dr. Lonergan gives the green light.

Sleeping has really sucked.  I'm a side sleeper and for obvious reasons that doesn't work right now.  I also am not a huge fan of sleeping in a recliner.  There's just something about my bed that makes my heart leap! So I found a wedge pillow on Amazon and it's amazing.  It doesn't give, so I don't end up sleeping flat on my back because that isn't very comfy either at the moment.  I will note that I do tend to slide down it and end up in an awkward position that isn't comfy, I solved that problem by putting a pillow under my knees.

I am still super sore, but today is the first day that I have not had to use any pain meds.  I am hoping this trend continues and I don't have any more slip ups (in the shower yesterday my towel started to fall as a result I naturally used my right arm since it wasn't in the sling and I was down crying for a little while. Then later in the evening I had my arm out of the sling to stretch my forearm that's been incredible sore and my laptop started to slide off my lap and I reached my arm out to stop it.  Also not good).

The first week was a little crazy.  The day after surgery my aunt came to visit with a friend of hers that she had brought up for some Hippie Hill thing.  It was great seeing my aunt and meeting her friend, but it was exhausting.  It's hard to be "normal" and visit the day after a major surgery.  All I wanted to do was lay in bed and sleep, but I felt rude.  I know she wouldn't have cared if I did that because she just wanted to see me and how I was holding up.  The day after she left 2 of my uncles came for a quick visit.  So at least I got to see some of my family.  That was fantastic.  I really do love and appreciate them coming to see how I was doing.  It's always good to know that people love you; even if they have to because they're family (j/k).

The second week was a lot of me time.  I'm not cleared for driving or work so it was a lot of on-line shopping.  Extremely bored.  But I got my Tivo cleared out and watched some movies.

On the weekends I beg my mom to take me shopping to get me out of the house.  I even went to Walmart to get out of the house.  I hate Walmart.  If you knew me, you would know exactly how desperate I was just by that move.

I see my surgeon again on Wed. so I will see how long it will be before I can work/drive.  I'm hoping this week.  I hate sitting around the house.  My butt literately hurts from sitting on it.

If you're having shoulder surgery things you may want to get:
Foam Pillow Wedge
Back Loofah or Similar (This is what I bought.  Feels amazing!)
For those of you with dry skin like me a back lotion applicator.  I love mine!
Some work out pants.  Nothing you need to button.  I thought I was doing good buttoning my pants on day 5.  However, I failed to consider what would happen in public and I needed to use the restroom.  Couldn't get them buttoned because I had to be laying down on my back out the sling so I could move my elbow without moving my shoulder.
For the ladies, a bra that clasps in the front with a Y back.  No need for straps on your incisions.  I found some at Target for a good price and I love the way they fit.  I might just switch after this!
An IceMan or something similar.  If you're insurance doesn't provide you with one find a way to get it.  Seriously the best thing after sliced bread and electricity.  Talk with your surgeon before buying one to verify.  No need to buy one then get another one at the hospital. Iceman was my first unit in 05, I told them I had one, but came home with a new one anyways.  The new one is smaller and is a Kodiak Cold Therapy Unity.

I will post more later!  Sorry it's such a long post!

I will try to write more on specific things.  I just had a lot to post since it's been 2 weeks since surgery!

Earth Therapeutics 3-Pk. Loofah Exfoliating Soap (Google Affiliate Ad)

It's Been Too Long

Well Gang, I didn't realize I hadn't posted in over a year!  Just goes to show that life can get in the way.

I was training up until the end of last year.  I somehow managed to hurt my right shoulder and am two weeks out from surgery.

I would've liked to have my surgery earlier, but unfortunately it could not happen that way, so instead of Feb it's being done in April.  The closer my surgery date comes the more uncomfortable I become.

Sleeping has been a real pain.  No matter how I lay, I'm uncomfortable.

I already have 3 pins in my arm.  Yes that's right, this is surgery #2 in 7 years.  I'm only 30, so this completely blows.

This surgery is being done through Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas with Dr. Lonergan.  The clinic is highly rated as is Dr. Lonergan, so that is comforting.

I'm not sure exactly what is being done as when I last saw Dr. Lonergan he was hoping PT would help without surgery because he didn't have my MRI yet.  No such luck for me though.  Once he got my MRI and read it he told me I have multiple tears on both the front and back of my shoulder.  YIKERS!  The only thing I could come up with to say was "Go big or go home right?"

Of course, once I got off the phone with him I had actual legit questions to ask him.  Isn't that how it always goes?

I meet with him this coming Wednesday.  Hopefully he'll have some answers for me, but I know a lot of will be hypothetical until he gets in my arm and sees the actual damage done.  My arm is in much worse shape than it was when I had the MRI, so I'm not even sure how accurate it will be anymore.

I have to admit I am terrified.  The last surgery was no joke.  The surgeon was all like "You'll be fine in a few days.  It won't be that bad."  He was a liar.  I couldn't even get out of my hospital gown for 3 days and once the nerve block wore off I was in bad shape.

I told my mother that if they suggest I stay at the hospital this time to make sure I do it.  Last time I didn't.  Don't want that again.  The hospital is where the good drugs are.

I'm in the process of getting everything I think I'll need, but I'm sure that once I'm cut open and unable to drive that I will inevitable think of something else I needed.  That's life though.

I've attached some of my MRI pics.  I can't read em, so I have no clue what I am looking at, but maybe you guys out there in cyber land can translate for me.  But I will have Dr. Lonergan go over them with me.

Talk to you guys after I see the surgeon!

Hola Amigos!

Alrighty, so my new migraine medicine is so far doing the trick!  I am also shin splint free (knock on wood) so today I went for my second run in a row.  Not saying much, but I'll take what I can get when it comes to running.

So I laced up my Brooks and went for a quick run!  I loved it!  I love being outside working on my burn (I don't tan) while I get my exercise too!

So perhaps, if I take it slowly I can prevent my shin splints and maybe do a 5K in the next few months.  What do you think?

I also bought my Fit Bit back in Feb and I LOVE IT!  I keeps track of my sleep, steps, floors climbed, and calories burned.  It also links with My Fitness Pal to keep track of my food intake.  (They have an Ipod and Android app for easy on-the-go tracking too).

Here's the link for today's run via RunKeeper http://runkeeper.com/user/rporter82/activity/75763488.

Also, if you care, this was my running soundtrack (as I call it ) today:
"Feels Like the First Time" Foreigner
"Moves Like Jagger"  Maroon 5
"You Make Me Feel" Cobra Starship
"Last Friday Night" Katy Perry
"E.T." Katy Perry/Kanye West

It was on shuffle, so this is what I got!

Achy legs

Well I bought a www.fitbit.com and this is helping me stay healthy.  I am still not in marathon shape and I am coming to accept that I may never be.

The constant shin splints are killing me. 

Right now I've got my knee taped up.

But on the upside I did walk/run 50 miles last week, so that was awesome!

I upped my goal to 80,000 steps for this week which ends tomorrow.  Sadly though I am only 77% of the way there.

Today was a lazy day.  I had no motivation whatsoever to do anything.  I was just tired.

I made myself go for a walk, but after that a shower and dinner, I took a 3 hour nap.  I do believe that bed is calling my name again soon.

Hopefully tomorrow I wake up well rested!

Sorry its been so long.

Sorry the holidays were a crazy time for me.  Between work and, well work, I was very busy and very tired.  Also there has been a issue with my gym membership.  They didn't take the money and are saying somehow it's my fault and want to charge me $30 to make it right, so I think I am going to find a new gym.  Sorry YMCA, but I can most likely find a gym closer to work and it open late so I can work out after work (since I'm a night person) and it cheaper.  I went with the YMCA for the pool, but I haven't used the pool since October.

That being said, I thought all of you should know that I love Brooks shoes.  They have an awesome new shoe coming out in June of this year. The Brooks Glycerin looks pretty nifty to me, plus it comes in bright colors, which are good for night running (if you're the sort to chance it in a non well lit area.  I have been using the Brooks Ravenna 2 for the last few months.

The shoe has what Brooks calls their "DNA".  It forms to the shoe and there's a little button type dookickey on the bottom that when pressed helps to re-inflate the sole.  It's supposed to increase the mileage on the shoe according to my friends at RUN IN, in Greenville, SC.  I bought the shoe in August and so far it's been fantastic.

I tend to walk on the outside of my foot, so this shoe helps my feet land more flatly.    Works well for me, despite my shin splint issues.

Well that's all I have for today!  More to come I promise!

Day 5: Rest and Kinesio Tape

Hey gang.  After how bad my shins felt yesterday and the fact that I am working 9 hours at the busiest store in the district today I decided today would be a relax day.

I taped up both of my legs yesterday and used A LOT OF ice.

For those of you not familiar with KT Tape, I have enclosed two videos.  One is an overview of what the tape is and what it does and one is specifically for shin splints. 

They used this tape on my shoulder when I was having issues with it and they also used it during my PT for shin splints this past Sept/Oct.

I am a HUGE fan of the tape.   It helps me heal while not interfering in my day to day life. It can also retrain muscles too.

The videos are courtesy of Mueller Rx.
KT Tape Overview
Taping for Shin Splints

That's what my legs look like now!

Day 4: Hitting the gym

Instead of pounding pavement, today I went for the gym.  After a half a mile on the treadmill my shins were killing me, so I went for the stationary bike and did 6 miles.  My legs feel that, but in a good way.

Now I am showered and sitting with ice packs on my shins getting caught up on American Horror Story.  I love this show.

I still feel like I may be over-reaching by going for a full marathon, it may not happen, but hopefully I won't give up.

I've been doing some research and thought I would share with you.

For those of you dealing with shin splints like myself: http://www.active.com/running/Articles/7-Tips-to-Beat-Shin-Splints.htm

Also, for those of you in colder climates, there are benefits for running outside vs. a treadmill when the conditions are not dangerous http://www.active.com/running/articles/5-reasons-to-run-outdoors-this-winter.htm

Also, I found a training schedule for a half marathon, that I will work on once my shin splints go away again.  Sucks having to start over.  I should have never stopped to begin with though.  So I have no one to blame but me.

I found a race next July in Chicago http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/chicago/register. Feel like joining me?