This is the injured shoulder... owwww!
OMG! Thank you God that my first visit went off so splendidly…I can’t believe it. I’ve been looking forward to starting the physical therapy but at the same time I’ve had mixed feelings, being a little scared, not knowing what to expect. I was not sure how much pain would be involved in the rehabilitation of my shoulder after the surgery but at the same time I want to start participating in life again. I have been sitting around the house reading, relaxing, and getting better for 6-7 looonnnggg weeks and it’s getting old. I have been a good little soldier doing the proper rehab. per my doctor’s suggestions/orders and thankfully it’s time for the physical therapy.
So, this morning I was up with the birds, ready to go. I prepared with a power breakfast of yogurt, coffee and 1/2 pain killer. Yup, ready & rarin’ to go! “Now, please, please, please don’t hurt me”, is all I could think! My girlfriend was here early to get me. When we got there, they told me we would be working about an hour, so I sent her on her way and got down to the paperwork.
When they took me back to work with me on the table, the nice young man who was my therapist put heat on my arm, wrote down my history and we decided we would do some passive range of motion exercises to start off with as it’s been 7 weeks since the operation and I have not moved the arm and really can’t. That means HE would do all the work, he would hold my arm and move it, and he was very gentle.
It went so well. My therapist and the manager worked together with me as today was my first visit/consultation and they were amazed how well I did…how well my arm moved already. They were discussing the range of motion of my other arm that they measured and said I am very agile, and they hope to get me back to 100% with my “bad” arm. From their lips to Gods ears! I just tried to remind them in all their enthusiasm that the doctor/surgeon who did the surgery said I would never have the same range of motion as my “good” arm…I don’t want them getting all crazy on me! Hey, I’m all for being normal again, but I don’t ever want a dislocated shoulder, either. So. I reminded them to talk to the doctor. They do have to send updates to him and he’ll let them know when they can move on with more strenuous exercises, but right now today was a serious TRIUMPH!! YaHOO!
My arm actually feels better now than when I went in as if he unlocked it, and when I saw how much my PT was moving it around I was so amazed. I’ve been told not to move it, yet with the right knowledge and experience it’s fabulous to see how much movement is able to be done already. So, life is good….and I may be able to take a participant role again soon!
(C) Written by Evelyn Garone 3/2011
The Oracle Of Ahwatukee . . . 