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)
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)
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