You know the issues I have with my back pain. Just when I think I have it to where I can live with it, or in spite of it, something else poops out on me. I'm telling you, turning 50 is NOT for pansies!
It started about four or five months ago. I noticed it while going through the drive thru bank. My left shoulder would hurt like hell trying to reach out through the window to put the deposit into the little tray. If I thought that was hard to do, going to the drive thru ATM became absolutely impossible. It was like my shoulder was on fire!
Easy fix. Get off my lazy ass and walk in to the bank instead of going to the drive up window and as for the ATM, stop the car before the ATM, get out and walk up and do my transaction. See? I can adapt.
That was my left shoulder. Now in the last few months, my right shoulder started to hurt. I have no idea what in the hell I did. But now my right shoulder has absolutely been a show stopper to the point that I now need help dressing in the morning, I can't always drive my own car because it's a stick shift, and sleep? Yeah, I haven't slept in months. I can't lay on that shoulder, I can't lay on my back, I can't lay on the opposite shoulder because it pulls somehow and hurts like hell. If I do manage to fall asleep, the slightest movement of either me rolling over or Ron moving and forget it. I'm up, I'm done with sleeping. I can get more comfortable on the couch, but I can't get up off of the couch. I told you turning 50 wasn't easy.
I finally reached my breaking point. Trust me, I know pain but this had me crying "uncle". I have now been to three doctors with the last being an orthopedic specialist. I saw him on Monday.
This guy is no stranger to my life. He took care of me after my car accident and it was one of his associates that actually did my back surgery back in 2002. Like I said, I am well acquainted with the practice. One of the things about this practice is that it is run extremely well, especially for a specialty. When you make an appointment, they mean it. They really stay on schedule and I appreciate that.
I gotta tell you though, when I was waiting in the exam room for the doctor to come in, I thought DANG! Even though I won't be in here for long, you could update your magazines!! For real, 2006??? For my next appointment, I'm buying him a new National Geographic!
If this is the worst thing I find with this doctor, I'm doing well. Anyway, he x-rayed both of my shoulders. He said I have "frozen shoulders" with calcium deposits in my left shoulder. The calcium deposits are evidence of an injury but I swear, I don't know what I did. I don't remember falling or getting hit or anything else. I don't know what happened.
The good news is that it's fixable and surgery is not necessary. In order to "unfreeze" my shoulders, I have to get my range of motion back. Once I can move my shoulders again, the pain should go away. Easy, right? I think it sounds like a no-win situation. The only way to get out of pain and to get my shoulders working again is to get into a lot of pain and move my shoulders. Ugh, I am booked for physical therapy twice a week for four weeks. I can't wait to get the bill for this one. Then I go back and see the ortho guy in six weeks to see how I'm doing.
If that wasn't enough, I have come down with the flu over the weekend! Before you think I'm just over here looking at this glass half empty, I will say that the flu has done me some good. I have caught up on some sleep that I have missed for the last year. Plus I've watched some great daytime TV in between my naps! Thank heavens for the Game Show Network and Investigation Discovery! A great way to waste a day! And, thank heavens for cold and flu medicine. Hmm, maybe I should say forget the physical therapy and just stock up on the meds! At least I can get some sleep. Who needs to be able to dress themselves?
2 comments:
Oh Ree, my dear friend, get well soon! I keep my fingers crossed!!!!! Well the flu will get better and it is good to rest. I'm glad that you got some rest and sleep. With your shoulder: What about some meds against the pain so you can start moving your shoulders? If the pain will get better by moving the shoulders this would make it easier to start moving them again. I'm thinking of you and the answer to your long email will come as soon as I find a little time, promise. Hugs, get well, my dear friend!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you my friend! I'm sure it will all work out.
Don't work too hard! :)
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