Okay, I am 14 days post shoulder surgery now. This post might not be as long as most because, as you might expect, I am one finger typing this with my left hand AND using my mouse left-handed, too. I am right-handed and not at all ambidextrous. Before I get into what I can and can't do very well at all, let me give you a quick rundown on the actual surgery.
Everything went well at my 7:30 am surgery time on August 22, thank God! I have six little incisions, the longest about 1/2", across the front, top and back of my right shoulder. My surgeon said the damage was worse than the MRI indicated but he was able "to repair it routinely".
I was out like a light and woke up in recovery about two hours later to a busy room with lots of people running around and a special needs kid yelling loudly. My first thought was 'what the hell am I dreaming about' only to realize shortly that it wasn't a dream at all. After some water and juice, I promptly threw up before being ushered out the door with a towel and vomit bag and into my car that Lou was driving to pick me up. We arrived home around 11 am. The Vicodin knocked me out for the first two days and I slept great in my recliner nest at the end of the couch surrounded by every pillow we owned in the house.
The pain hasn't been bad at all and I was off the Vicodin on day four. Now for the fun part. Have you ever had to do 'everything', let me repeat, 'everything', with only your nondominant hand? Use your imagination when I say 'everything'. It ain’t easy. Lou has been great about helping me with 'everything'. But who wants to have your partner dressing and undressing you and washing you (under these circumstances anyway)? Plus, it feels like I've accomplished a lot by doing these things myself.
Disclaimer: Some people seem to have taken my previous posts regarding the surgery as being really upset and depressed. Not at all. I am thrilled to have it repaired with minimal pain. However, I will admit to some good-natured, tongue-in-cheek complaining regarding my numerous limitations.
There are two things that I literally cannot do AND no one I’ve asked has come up with a solution. They are pulling my hair up with a scrunchi or clip and tying athletic shoes. Both are two handed jobs. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. One friend with really long hair said she twisted and twisted it over her shoulder then held it in her teeth to grab it with a clip and sort of pull it up. Mine wasn’t long enough for that. Lou can tie my shoes fine but he struggles with scrunchis.
I have learned to eat fairly well left-handed, can cook simple meals only having to call for help occasionally and can do a basic job on showering and grooming after two weeks of practice. I have been skipping makeup since that is a real challenge. Still need help with hair washing but I’m planning to tackle that by myself tomorrow. Any writing looks like a toddler did it so I’m foregoing that until my right arm is functional.
By far the worst is trying to sleep. Ideally, they want me in a reclined position on my back wearing my sling and my arm supported by pillows. I have never slept comfortably on my back and still don't. I've tried to graduate to sleeping in our bed a few times but usually end up kicking my pillows down the stairs (while I have a left-handed death grip in the banister) and getting a few hours of rest in my recliner nest. I will be really glad when I can get out of the sling and sleep on my side again.
I started PT a few days ago and have three simple exercises to do a few times a day. The complete rehab will be 4 to 6 months. Only 3-1/2 to 5-1/2 months to go! YAY!
Hmmm, seems that this isn't any shorter since I discovered how helpful autocorrect on my iPad has been in writing.
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