This is just a note to say that I won't be able to post or probably even visit here for a bit. Thursday I'll have the rotator cuff surgery I talked about before, so my left shoulder/arm will be immobilized for a while afterwards. I hope I'll be able to use my hand a bit, but don't know how that's going to be. So, fair warning -- I may not be able to respond to messages for a while.
Second, if you're the sort to pray or send good vibes or whatever, please remember my youngest sister. She has had lifelong problems with alcohol and depressive disorders, and tried to commit suicide Sunday night. She has 3 children, 9, 3, and 2. They are with a friend right now, but legally will probably revert to their father's custody. This is problematic in that he is abusive and seriously contributed to my sister's issues, and in that he has no help whatsoever for the kids. My mom is on her way up there now to see what she can do, including whether or not she can take the kids home to Florida with her "while this gets sorted out". The hope is that she might be able to foster-partent them, or adopt them even. When my sister is released from the hospital, which I hope is a long, long time from now, she will have visitation rights, but only with supervision, so she's really created a difficult situation for herself and for those who love her and her children.
We all need peace, wisdom, and guidance in this matter. All good wishes will be appreciated.
Showing posts with label surgery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label surgery. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Torn rotator cuff & labrum left shoulder...
Yes, me. That's what the pesky upper arm pain turned out to be, thanks to the wonders of MRI technology. So, the surgeon who took care of me when I broke my ankle/leg, and did the miraculous carpal tunnel/deQuervain's release that alleviated a 20-year problem, will be fixing my crappy-ass shoulder.
I didn't injure it -- it just developed over time. Apparently, there is also a bone spur on my clavicle, I think, which, he said, would also irritate the biceps tendon, creating that arm pain that I thought was muscular. So, he's going to remove the labrum (cartilage) altogether, smooth the bone spur, and, because he said my arm/shoulder was "hanging by a thread" (his words!!), he's going to clean up the ragged parts and rejoin the rotator cuff itself. He may also need to de/reattach the muscle(?)...tendon(?)...one of those, I think.
Surgery is scheduled for June 14. I put it that far out because we leave for Denver next week, and will be gone for 10 days. I don't want to be looking at surgery as soon as I return, so I'm going to do it the week after. I was supposed to drive down to my niece's wedding this weekend, but I'm unable to do that now. The doctor said I can do whatever I feel like doing, but that if anything hurts, don't do it, literally, because I could further injure my shoulder and create a much more acute situation. So, no driving for any length of time. And especially not in hubby's car, which is a stick-shift and has a sporty suspension. (Read: bumpier ride) He's got a band gig this weekend, and has to have the van to load and carry all of his equipment.
Life just gets more and more interesting, doesn't it?
I didn't injure it -- it just developed over time. Apparently, there is also a bone spur on my clavicle, I think, which, he said, would also irritate the biceps tendon, creating that arm pain that I thought was muscular. So, he's going to remove the labrum (cartilage) altogether, smooth the bone spur, and, because he said my arm/shoulder was "hanging by a thread" (his words!!), he's going to clean up the ragged parts and rejoin the rotator cuff itself. He may also need to de/reattach the muscle(?)...tendon(?)...one of those, I think.
Surgery is scheduled for June 14. I put it that far out because we leave for Denver next week, and will be gone for 10 days. I don't want to be looking at surgery as soon as I return, so I'm going to do it the week after. I was supposed to drive down to my niece's wedding this weekend, but I'm unable to do that now. The doctor said I can do whatever I feel like doing, but that if anything hurts, don't do it, literally, because I could further injure my shoulder and create a much more acute situation. So, no driving for any length of time. And especially not in hubby's car, which is a stick-shift and has a sporty suspension. (Read: bumpier ride) He's got a band gig this weekend, and has to have the van to load and carry all of his equipment.
Life just gets more and more interesting, doesn't it?
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Survival and success
Can you hear the crescendo of Barry Manilow's full orchestra as he belts out, half a step higher than the last bar, "Looks like we MADE it......."? I can, cuz, we did!. Well, we, meaning, I made it. :) And I did have general anesthesia after all, which is all the more reason to be happy for things going well. I confessed here, I think, my fear of "going under", but, fortunately, my fears were not realized in any way.
The anesthesiologist very logically and patiently explained to me that, more than likely, the reason I had trouble with my blood pressure elevating so much during the sinus surgery I had last was because of the use of epinephrine and cocaine in the nasal cavity, and he felt 99.9% certain that I would not experience those problems again as long as substances like that were not involved, and they weren't. So yayayayayay for that anesthesiologist and his ability to explain things well to neurotics like me. :)
I'm healing, but can't spend much time doing things like this, so I'm closing my brief note with a very large thank you to anyone who uttered prayers or good wishes for a successful outcome and speedy recovery. It's working!!!
The anesthesiologist very logically and patiently explained to me that, more than likely, the reason I had trouble with my blood pressure elevating so much during the sinus surgery I had last was because of the use of epinephrine and cocaine in the nasal cavity, and he felt 99.9% certain that I would not experience those problems again as long as substances like that were not involved, and they weren't. So yayayayayay for that anesthesiologist and his ability to explain things well to neurotics like me. :)
I'm healing, but can't spend much time doing things like this, so I'm closing my brief note with a very large thank you to anyone who uttered prayers or good wishes for a successful outcome and speedy recovery. It's working!!!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Surgery
Hey friends in Blog-o-land, I have a request. I would appreciate good thoughts, vibes, and/or prayers of any religious persuasion tomorrow, March 1, as I'm undergoing some minor surgery. I'm having a carpal tunnel release, which apparently looks like this:
From the site: http://www.sorehand.com/carpal-tunnel-syndrome.htm
I'm also having a DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis release on the same (right) hand. The following graphic is from : http://www.handuniversity.com/topics.asp?Topic_ID=45
Anywho, I know it shouldn't be any big deal, but still....one can't help but have a bit of anxiety.
I'll have an update posted sometime tomorrow, though I can't swear that the typing will be coherent. ;) It may be funny as hell, though, so that alone is something to look forward to!
Peace,
Suzanne
From the site: http://www.sorehand.com/carpal-tunnel-syndrome.htmI'm also having a DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis release on the same (right) hand. The following graphic is from : http://www.handuniversity.com/topics.asp?Topic_ID=45
Anywho, I know it shouldn't be any big deal, but still....one can't help but have a bit of anxiety.
I'll have an update posted sometime tomorrow, though I can't swear that the typing will be coherent. ;) It may be funny as hell, though, so that alone is something to look forward to!
Peace,
Suzanne
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