After wearing a heavy stainless steel and plastic splint for two months, keeping my right arm in a perpetual Heil Hitler salute, I was finally liberated today.
It’s a strange sensation walking around with out it. I won’t say that I miss it; it’s just that I’d become so used to lugging it around all the time that it’s disorienting to be without it. I still wear it to bed to keep my arm from swinging around.
This was the second operation on my right shoulder in six months, and if it had failed, there would be no plan C — I’d be stuck for life with a right arm that could barely lift a book. The doctor told me today that the latest operation was a success. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to hear that.
1
By vaara
Congratulations!
February 21, 2004 @ 12:20 am | Comment
2
By Michael
Start working out to get the arm back into shape, now!
Trust me on this one.
Rehab bites but it works.
February 21, 2004 @ 12:59 am | Comment
3
By richard
I’ve been through 2 months pf physiotherapy already, and now I’m exercising with these long, thin, stretchable plastic strips (not sure what they’re called). But they told me no weights for six months or so, only isometrics and stretching. My right arm has been immobile for so long, the bicep feels like jello.
February 21, 2004 @ 1:08 am | Comment
4
By Fiona Pollard
Hooray, we salute you (though obviously not with the Heil Hitler salute).
February 21, 2004 @ 10:38 am | Comment
5
By Kevin Kim
Congrats on your new-found freedom. I can only imagine how the world changes when you’re immobile, and then mobile again.
Kevin
February 21, 2004 @ 1:48 pm | Comment
6
By richard
Kevin,it really makes you appreciate the things we usually take for granted, like having two working arms. You wouldn’t believe the shit I’ve gone through the past 8 weeks, taking more than an hour to get dressed and tie my shoes. Looking back, some of it was extremely funny, but not at the time.
February 21, 2004 @ 2:01 pm | Comment
7
By Chris
On the subject of rehab, please realize that it will really pay to keep it up for years, not months. Two years since my latest shoulder surgery I still lift weights, and it keeps getting stronger. It will never be as strong as my good one, but it does get closer and closer. This should be a long-term commitment.
February 21, 2004 @ 2:23 pm | Comment
8
By richard
Thanks Chris; I remember your advice after I had the first operation and I appreciate it. The doctor said the rehab time is at least a year, but I suspect you’re right, and that it’s really a lifetime thing.
February 21, 2004 @ 5:38 pm | Comment