Shoulders are the Pits

I have discovered that shoulders are not just near the pits – they are the pits. I had no idea before going in for surgery how difficult it was going to be to find a comfortable position just to sleep. I have never been more aware of my shoulders. At times I wish I could just take my right arm off before going to bed. Or better yet, design a bed that has a hole large enough to insert my entire arm just so I could enjoy sleeping on my side.

My surgeon told me it would be six weeks in a sling and six weeks of physical therapy. I thought, OK, that’s a little exaggerated; especially since I can be out of my sling for quite a while before my arm starts to ache. But I’ve discovered that after the initial surgery pain, the acheness is only a part of the battle.  I have come to understand that arms get much more credit than do the shoulders they are attached to. Without a fully functioning right shoulder life can be a little weird.

I can carry a shopping bag full of clothing with my right arm but I have to use my left arm to push the elevator button. I can push a shopping cart for hours - as long as I only make right turns. (Left turns are a killer.) I can turn on the ignition and drive a car but I have to have a passenger to adjust the heat or turn on the stereo. I can make a pot of coffee but I can’t pore myself a cup. I can pop the cork off a champagne bottle (figuratively, of course) but I can’t twist the tiny little wire that holds the cork in place. I can carry a Duraflame log in from the garage with my right arm, but I have to light the fire with my left.

Now, you have to realize, I haven’t started physical therapy yet, so the tone of my blog entries may start to resemble the book of Lamentations or Job. The source of much of my frustration these days has been a prolonged sinus infection, of which I will spare you the details. For now, I promise to try to keep the whining to a minimum. I continue to gain great comfort from one of my favorite passages, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shoulder of death, I will fear no physical therapy; for thou art with me. Your sling and your Advil they do comfort me.” Or something like that.

Comments

[Debbie Culbertson]

I heard a rumor you were in your office on Sunday and I peeked in the window and actually saw you! Just wanted to tell you that you are missed and that I'm praying for you...daily!

[Lisa]

Dennis~
The Sargents' (and friends) have been praying for you! McKenzie is the lead prayer in this endeavor. She has had you on her heart! We hope that your pain will be reduced and the therapy will help for a quick recovery! WE DO MISS YOU up front! You rock, Mr. Quick!
:) Lisa