PostOp Day 28 Update 130821: Well, here we are.
One month after the shattering, one month after the reconstructive surgery. What a month it has been. Thanks to each of you for your presence in a myriad of ways!
Made it in to work on Monday. Managed about three hours before things started shutting down. The elbow throbbing, the humerus pulsating, and the energy draining. I clocked out, crashed in the recliner in the conference room for about an hour before Kitty was done with work and gave me a ride home. Once home, I hit the recliner hard and around eight succumbed to a painkiller and went to bed. Uff da.
Tuesday morning I had my second appointment with the doc and his physician assistant, and my third appointment with the physical therapist. The doc says that everything is progressing as it should be. The restrictions that I have is no lifting, no pulling, no pushing, and no grabbing with the left arm. I am to wear the brace when I am out and about for protection and to remind people to avoid bumping the elbow. They said that I could start lifting two pounds, about the weight of a dinner plate, and nothing more.
I asked about the fatigue factor and he said that I can expect that for about another month. They said that this was a very traumatic injury to the humerus, and the surgery was extremely complicated, all of which taxed the body immensely. They also threw in that "at your age" blip, meaning that I am not a young buck who will instantly bounce back the next day. They also reminded me to not listen to other people's recovery stories, listen and obey my own body. As far as returning to work, this week and next, work my way up to four hours, then after I succeed with four hours, then work my way up to six hours, and then eight. Do not jump in full force -- to work, to the gym, to anything. Take your time. Uff da.
Physical therapy was more the same -- massaging and flexing and extending. She said that the two-pound recommendation was out of reason. She then had me practice a bicep curl without weights and we witnessed at how wobbly and weak my arm actually is without having much muscle tone left. So, that is my exercise for the week, working the triceps and the biceps without weights. So, for now we are working on improving the flex and the extensions, eventually working into rotations, and then start some weights. My flexing angle is 104, my extending angle is 34, much better than last week! It will be about six to eight weeks before full improvement can be seen.
And after Physical Therapy, I was done give out. Nancy and Kitty from work brought Taco Tuesday on over. And then I crashed hard for the rest of the day. My neighbor Dean came home from a weekend trip, and took me grocery shopping. Other than the simple fact of having to be cautious in remembering to reach, grab, or lift only with the right arm, just walking through the market is tuckering. Soon. Soon!
So, with all this waiting stuff, the frustrations are starting to knock at my door. I have a call in to my counselor to probably start that up again. It sure did help with the muck during the hemiparesia incident.
Inspiration and Blessing 130821: “Lord, today let Your praise abound, let joy and gladness resound everywhere. How I long for joy—great bounding liberating joy: joy in God, joy in the Holy Ghost, joy in life, and joy in love. Cause this to be a joyous house today, all day.” – Oswald Chambers, from Joy and Peace: A Holy Condition
Request List 130821:
Let me know to whom I can phone or text on the spur of the spontaneous moment for help with toting groceries or other such menial "hefty" tasks, ok?
I have neglected keeping tabs on whose food containers are whose. Feel free to drop by and reclaim each of yours.
Recent Facebook Musings --
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August 16
Really? "There is no substitute for good manners, except, maybe fast reflexes." Excuse me? — at China Garden.
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Thank you to the charming Amanda iPerry for taking me to BisMarket where we visited with Kory Schauer Hagler and her sisters and buying goods from them. Nice stroll through Sertoma Park. Then lunch at Peacock Alley American Grill & Bar enjoying their sidewalk dining. Browsed through a couple shops downtown. Crashed into a four-hour nap. Now readying for Tara Irene Wood's birthday supper at HuHot Mongolian Grill - Bismarck, ND, first time I have put on full-length trousers in over a month. Yep, I will sleep hard tonight, still not all the umph has returned totally. Always ever grateful for friends! [Thank you Matthew Leidholm for the ride to supper and back!]
August 17 at 6:13pm near Bismarck
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August 18
Yes, I do feed myself, often. — at Crestview Manor Apartments.
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August 18
Fulfillment
"If God is my portion, if God is the true source of my joy, and if it is God who will fulfill me, then I am free to be a companion instead of a consumer. That is, because of what I receive from God I can give to another person instead of always taking; I can minister rather than manipulate because of the fulfillment I get from God." Richard D. Phillips and Sharon L. Phillips
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August 18
It matters
“Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.”
—Hippocrates
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A relaxing day in excited anticipation of going back to work tomorrow to try a four-hour day. First time on the clock in a month!
Performed a load of laundry on my own, only challenge was hoisting the basket up to my right arm without using my left to carry it out to the laundry room. Folding will be for another day.
Joan Graven Backes brought over Pizza Hut for supper and conversation.
Mike Eberle was over later to help with showering -- I just cannot get to my right armpit or upper back yet, even with trying the long-handle scrub brush. But, I can do the rest just fine, even getting that compression sock mess back on the left arm.
Monday!
August 18 at 11:16pm near Bismarck
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Oh was it ever so good to be back at work today, and the elbow was not happy. Thanks to Eric Egler for the ride. Made it three hours before crashing in the recliner in the conference room until Kitty headed home. I hardly did much and I am stupid tuckered out. Uff da. Doc appt and physical therapy in the morn, not sure if I will make it to work after. Yikes.
August 19 at 5:39pm near Bismarck
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=============================August 19 near Bismarck
FINALLY! It is Monday -- Happy Dance
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August 19
I wonder as I wander through these two incidents this year, and I am humbled. I think I do believe that crusty layers of bitterness have been ripped away all because I have relearned the romance of God. How? Through the profound beauty of the abundant sparkling facets within the ample gifts of friendship that I have been generously given by both kith and kin. Yes, thank you.
(Pic from http://theloveyourselfchallenge.tumblr.com/)
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August 19 near Bismarck via mobile
Let's just be grotesquely honest here. These are one of those times I wish I had someone waiting at home after work and hold me to sleep. Carry on. G'nite.
Mike Eberle: I see your working on that Oscar for a dramatic role. Haha! Have a good Kev. Keep pushing yourself at work. It'll get better. Think of it like the gym when you started to really get. Into the swing.
August 19 at 10:09pm via mobile · Unlike · 1
Kevin R Tengesdal: And this is why I love my brother-from-another Mother, my NASCAR brother, because he knows how to nudge me forward.
Yesterday at 12:01am via mobile · Like
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Sweet Success 130820: Yes! In sponge-bathing today, I was able work the washcloth up to my right pit, AND I was able to shove the deodorant stick with my left hand up into my right pit!
August 20 near Bismarck
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Thank you for being a friend!
http://youtu.be/MtPeaJkrNwI
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15 hours ago via mobile
My get up and go is gone, and some necessities are missing in the fridge. Who wants to assist me in going out and grocery shopping later, after I take another nap? Text me direct, please.
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