Diary of My Separated Shoulder

Dec. 11, 2009 early morning.

Dear Diary,

It's moving day! We're moving from this large 4-bedroom home to a much smaller second floor flat/condo - downsizing at its best. But all the hard work will be worth it. Bring on the movers!

~

Dec. 11, late evening.

Dear Diary,

Well, the move didn't go as planned. Not at all. The movers came alright. They were doing a great job packing up their van. The problem was me. I fell. Hard. Very Hard. I had gone outside to go to the car and I slipped on some hard snow and landed on my left side. Did I mention that I fell hard?

Diary, I remember lying there on the snow thinking, "this cannot be happening, this did NOT just happen." But it did. If anyone ever tells you that they've separated their shoulder and it hurts, believe them: it was the worst, most intense pain I have ever felt in my life.

I had an anterior separation that required me to be "out" to put back in. Did I mention it hurt?

~

December 14

Dear Diary,

Went to see the orthopedic surgeon for follow-up. There were others there with shoulder injuries, not to mention all the other broken bones and stuff. Anyway, the doctor said my shoulder is exactly where it's supposed to be and I can start physio. Oh joy. It still hurts.

Problem is, when you do a good job separating your shoulder, it's not just the bones that shift, you stretch or tear the ligaments all around the shoulder. That's what causes a lot of the pain and, uh, discomfort.

~

Christmas Day

Dear Diary,

Boxes are still everywhere. I'm not allowed to use my arm to move, lift or anything. My physio warned me that it could dislocate again at any time if I'm not careful. Decided not to wear my sling to family Christmas dinner because it clashed with my outfit. Yeah. Right. That was a bright decision (NOT).

~

December 29

Dear Diary,

Much improvement in my shoulder although still painful. It seems it's the muscles that are causing all the pain. They're very tense and knotted so we have a bright idea of me seeing a massage therapist the day after my physio sessions. Oh boy.

~

December 30

Dear Diary,

Whose flipping idea was it to go for a massage???? OWWWWW

~

New Year's Day

Dear Diary,

Shoulder still hurts. Is it going to stop hurting eventually? Well, maybe if I stop using it but how can you not react when you open a cupboard and something comes falling off the shelf right towards your head? Of course your arms (notice the plural) are both going to go above your head to protect yourself. Ouch.

~

January 5, 2010.

Dear Diary,

Woohoo, physio says I'm allowed to move my arm a whole 20 degrees away from my body. Also have exercises to strengthen the muscles again. Standing against the wall, forearm against it and gently push for three seconds times 10 times. Same with the wrist. Who would have thought that an arm can get tired of doing such a simple exercise?

~

January 6

Dear Diary

Saw the doctor again. Shoulder is healing, woohoo! She did, however, caution me. Said I have to be more careful. Does that mean I can't play indoor soccer at the end of the month. Physio is frowning on that idea. Also saw the massage therapist again. Not as bad today. I have a feeling I will not be so generous tomorrow morning after I wake up.

~

January 9

Dear Diary,

IT'S BEEN ALMOST A MONTH. Can you please tell my shoulder that it's had enough time off and it's time to start being a team player again?

Thanks.