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tavalon

(27,985 posts)
Tue May 21, 2013, 12:08 AM May 2013

So, I broke my arm last month. Actually my shoulder and broke doesn't quite do it

Pulverized it might come closer to the truth, though it didn't displace which means in real speak that I didn't have to have surgery. But I did have to stay very still and be very careful for the first three weeks of healing. Because so many of the tendons and ligaments and even surrounding muscle had been stretched and damaged, if I dislodged my not at all humorous tuberosity, surgery.

So, between watching endless Netflix and frustratingly trying to type on the internets with my non dominant hand when I was used to home keys and typing as fast as I think, I thought about a coworker of mine. A few years ago, she fell down some stairs and did a number on both her fibia and tibia and got rods and screws and you name it. She was always a little overweight but not hugely so, much like I am now, middle aged and heavier than I used to be.

No one would have blamed her for finding a sit down job and just taking it easy on that leg. But no, she didn't do that. She went to PT and worked her butt off just like I'm doing now and then she joined weight watchers and started going to Zumba. She decided she loved Zumba and now she doesn't carry any of that extra weight and actually looks (and according to her, feels) better than she ever has. Well, almost. She contends with constant pain in her leg but she refuses to let that get in her way.

So, during those 3 weeks, I picked up a mantra, WWMD, What Would M--------Do? My PT place is only a mile and a half from my house and an easy bus ride, but I don't ride the bus. I'm walking. I'm walking everywhere these days. I bust my butt (arm) at PT twice a week and I do my exercises at home just as prescribed. I'm focusing on Protein, low carb and minimal sugar. I've been bad about vegetables my whole life, but WWMD?, so, peas and broccoli, are showing up in my house. I'm planning on Wednesday to make Pico De Gallo (sp) and starting to peruse other ideas for veggies. When I get the go ahead, I'm heading to my first love, the pool. I've heard tell they have water Zumba now, so I might well try that out.

Every morning I wake up with my right shoulder singing to me, and it isn't a pretty song, but I've learned that if I just give it time to warm up and do some passive exercise with it, it stops hurting, so I don't even bother with Ibuprofen and I've ditched the Vicodin completely. As a nurse, I've always said you should take your pain meds to avoid letting the pain get too far ahead of you. As a patient, I've learned that there is nuance to that saying.

When I get back to work, I plan on thanking my coworker for the inspiration she doesn't even know she's given me.

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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So, I broke my arm last month. Actually my shoulder and broke doesn't quite do it (Original Post) tavalon May 2013 OP
Good for you siligut May 2013 #1
Yeah, it actually feels good, not necessarily in the moment, tavalon May 2013 #4
It's not easy...but few of the worthwhile things in life are.... Sekhmets Daughter May 2013 #2
Thank you, that would be nice tavalon May 2013 #3
I think she will appreciate that... Phentex May 2013 #5
My goal - to be like this at her age (86) RILib May 2013 #6
Awesome tavalon May 2013 #8
I hope you do well RILib May 2013 #9
Thank you, that actually makes me feel better tavalon May 2013 #12
vision RILib May 2013 #14
DU Rec Tuesday Afternoon May 2013 #7
I can post pics from my recent shoulder surgery if that will cheer you up REP May 2013 #10
Well, I can't say the rest of the crew here would like it, tavalon May 2013 #11
I need one REP May 2013 #13

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
4. Yeah, it actually feels good, not necessarily in the moment,
Tue May 21, 2013, 12:39 AM
May 2013

but overall, it just feels like a good course correction.

Sekhmets Daughter

(7,515 posts)
2. It's not easy...but few of the worthwhile things in life are....
Tue May 21, 2013, 12:30 AM
May 2013

Keep up the good work, keep your spirits up and you'll come through with colors flying! I'm sure there will come a day when you'll serve as inspiration to another.

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
3. Thank you, that would be nice
Tue May 21, 2013, 12:37 AM
May 2013

But just like M., I think I'm seeing this as a wake up call from the universe, so even if no one else ever knows why I'm making life changes, they will still be of great benefit.

Phentex

(16,334 posts)
5. I think she will appreciate that...
Tue May 21, 2013, 07:48 AM
May 2013

knowing that her struggle has somehow inspired another person would make it just a bit easier I think.

As for veggies, I think people give up or don't start because they are used to bland, school-like veggies. Once you find things you like, you'll eat more of them. Drop by Cooking and Baking if you get stuck for ideas.

I wish you much continued success!

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
8. Awesome
Wed May 22, 2013, 09:27 PM
May 2013

Because I've been falling a lot (only one break but 3-5 falls a week) I'm being worked up for a brain tumor or MS. I did a closed eyes heel to toe for my doctor and damn near knocked both of us over. So, I'm thinking, this woman is out of my league. I'll take healthy and fit and stick with that.

I quipped to the doctor after my lousy performance, that perhaps I ought to stay off the balance beam for a while. Considering she had just told me that I might have a brain tumor, I'm not sure she knew how to take it. Gallows humor is my strength.

 

RILib

(862 posts)
9. I hope you do well
Thu May 23, 2013, 04:43 AM
May 2013

Balance exercises via physical therapy have helped me a lot.

Balancing without vision is particularly hard.

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
12. Thank you, that actually makes me feel better
Thu May 23, 2013, 08:38 PM
May 2013

We are doing lots of core work. And I didn't know that balancing without vision is supposed to be hard.

 

RILib

(862 posts)
14. vision
Fri May 24, 2013, 09:27 AM
May 2013

Yeah, what they told me was balance depends on three things - feedback from nerves/muscles, the ear, and vision. You need two of those or you can't balance.

REP

(21,691 posts)
10. I can post pics from my recent shoulder surgery if that will cheer you up
Thu May 23, 2013, 02:46 PM
May 2013

I had an AC joint resection with debridement; 3" bone spur removed that was ripping my supraspinatus every time I moved; an anchor in the bone placed to hold the stitches to sew the muscle onto the bone; and the subarcromial reduced. It's going to be a year until I'm fully recovered, but I'm going to go ahead and have the left one (with a complete rotator cuff tear) repaired in Sept - Oct because I'm completely insane.

In other words, I'm feeling your pain so no hugs, just drugs

tavalon

(27,985 posts)
11. Well, I can't say the rest of the crew here would like it,
Thu May 23, 2013, 08:34 PM
May 2013

but I'm a nurse and I think that sort of slide show would be awesome. I have a little piece of peeled bone that's likely to send me back in a few years for a full shoulder replacement.

REP

(21,691 posts)
13. I need one
Thu May 23, 2013, 09:03 PM
May 2013

My glenohumeral joint is FUBAR; all cartilage etc gone and just bone cysts. But gh replacements aren't super common and I have rather severe kidney disease, so I'm not particularly eager to have that much bone cut off.

I just have the hand wound that nearly killed me on this device (it's been quite a year; 8 weeks after the surgery, I was in the hospital for four days because they thought I'd lose my thumb, hand or entire me). If you really want to see the surgery, I'll edit from another device.

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