Surgery is Not Simple

By the time you read this, I will be recovering from much needed rotator cuff surgery that I had on July 13th.

I first injured my left shoulder in 1998 while I was weight lifting.  After some theraputic daily exercises, I rehabed myself.  I just had to be more careful when I was exercising to not reinjure my shoulder.

Then in 2002, my Dynamic Duo came into my life.  I held and carried my twins everywhere in the house, many times both at the same time!  I carried apnea monitors for a while, two car seats, and a big double stroller whenever I went out. 

When my twins became toddlers, I was carrying two heavier children everywhere and carrying them off from many climbing adventures.   My son needed to be "brushed" three times a day as part of his occupational therapy for his sensory issues.  He did not like being still for this, so I held him with my left arm and brushed him with my right.

In 2004, I saw my orthopedist for the first time.  By the time my twins were eighteen months old, I had reinjured my left shoulder, had done some damage to my right shoulder, damaged my ulner nerve in my left elbow and developed carpal tunnel in both hands (I type with wristlets).

For the past six years, I have had a few rounds of physical therapy and many cortisone shots.  It had gotten progressively worse, and I needed surgery years ago.  But I did not have it, because there was no one to take care of my kids for me.  So I just kept getting cortisone shots, counting the years until I could get myself fixed.

In December, it was more painful than before.  The shot did not completely do the trick it previously had.  In April, when I came in for another shot, my doctor looked at me and said, "We have been dealing with this injury for six years.  Do you think it is time for an MRI to see what is going on and how to fix it?"

I agreed.

As I type this post, I am a few days pre-surgery.  I am nervous, but am looking forward to the day when I be go without pain or discomfort, which I am on a daily basis.  The degree just varies.  I even said to my kids that Mommy might even be nicer since I won't be hurting anymore!

I may have some posts scheduled and I may not, it depends if I have time.  I do not want my readers to think I have abandoned my blog or stopped reading theirs, it's just that I have to focus on recovery for a while.

Enjoy the next few weeks!