Your right arm, for example. I had arthroscopic surgery on my right shoulder Monday — rotator cuff and labrum repair (I didn’t even know know I had a labrum) — and I’ve been moping about since with my arm in a sling and hooked up to a machine that circulates ice water around the traumatized bit of anatomy for 20 minutes every hour or so. Here’s a fun test: try tying your shoes with only your left hand. Or (assuming you are right-handed, as I am) try signing your name or using a fork. Your incapacity, I suspect, will be almost comical.
The nerve block I had Monday at about 11 a.m. lasted far longer than predicted: until 5 or 6 Tuesday night, which meant that I couldn’t move my arm and my thumb and first two fingers were all pins and needles and, beneath that, numb as a parboiled tenderloin. The upside of that situation was an absence of pain, which only arrived on the scene last night about bed time. (Another thing you take for granted: being able to sleep on your side: if you have shoulder surgery, be prepared to sleep — or try to sleep — on your back, your head and affect arm propped up by a few pillows.)
Pretending you’re Paul Wittgenstein is amusing for about 5 minutes. Then the tedium sets in. I typed a bunch of emails Monday evening and yesterday using only my left hand. Polonius’s observation that “brevity is the soul of wit” never seemed so forcefully pertinent. The sling is basically a 24/7 prescription, except for the morning shower. The surgeon has also given me permission to sit with the sling in my lap while I type, which, now that I can move the fingers of my right hand effectively, makes life with writing deadlines much easier to contemplate.
We’ll see whether the operation was worth it. Right now, of course, my arm feels far worse than when I presented myself to the sawbones’s ministrations. When I sat in the doctor’s office discussing the surgery he spoke airily of a “two to three week recovery.” Turns out that is only phase one. I have similar problems with my left shoulder but I suspect I will wait a good long while before embarking down this road again.
There are, however, salutary side effects of such incapacities, not least that sobering recognition I mentioned of things you take for granted: tying a shoe lace, buttoning your shirt, signing your name: it’s all so effortless when everything works as it should, nearly impossible when something goes wrong. What a stupendous thing it is, though, that most of us are such casual experts dispatching the complex tasks of everyday life. It’s irritating to be incapacitated, but really our chief emotion should be gratitude: gratitude for the quite extraordinary medical interventions we’ve concocted to say nothing of the general competence most of us enjoy in our circumnavigation of life’s little chores and obstacles. Aristotle defined man as “the rational animal.” I know what he meant. We homo sapiens sapiens are unique in our possession of self-conscious reflection. I’ve been struck, though, by the thought that “ungrateful animal” often seems to be a much more widely dispersed human characteristic than reason. I wonder what the old Stagirite would have to say about that.
Do not take for granted the temporary nature of your incapacity. Many people suffer permanent incapacities.
Good luck, Mr. Kimball! My brother had this same surgery (also on HIS right shoulder) about 2 yrs. ago. He is a FedEx mgr., so he had to wait until after the Christmas rush — good thing, as you point out. He had a long row to hoe, but after a lot of p.t., he’s doing well. SO WILL YOU!
Yes indeed. The bathroom becomes a most difficult place.
LaSuthenboy is right — shoulders are pretty complex, and many people never recover from such injuries. So let me echo D.D.’s advice. Do your p.t. religiously! Finally, that icing machine sounds fabulous, you’re lucky to have it.
Y, my wife had her right rotator cuff fixed in 2006 and left one in 2007 and has been pain-free since. We kayak often in the summer and the surgeries have not hampered her one bit. Good luck.
My stepfather had both shoulders done & once recovered, had both knees replaced. His advice is to suck it up, do extra work on the PT & you’ll be surprised at much more you can do, faster than you believe.
This summer i started racing bicycles on the track as a master (old guy). Another guy ,Joe Berenyi, who is about 40 also took up the sport. Joe has a lot of speed and stamina. Joe has a disadvantage. He doesnt have a left arm. Apparently he lost it and severely injured him leg in a steel mill accident. He was told he would likely never walk again.Sprinting and controlling the bike on the banked oval is no easy task. Just this last week he became the national paralympic champion in the 4000km event. It was awesome to see his victory and humbling to see that he could not zip up his victory jersey by himself. He is an inspiration to all and a frequent reminder to not take little things for granted.
Roger, I had a similar ordeal 2 years ago – a procedure under anesthesia and nerve block to correct adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).
You will be prescribed some sessions of physical therapy. Do it. People who do their PT get more completely better more quickly.
You will be asked to come in for a follow up visit to your surgeon. Beware.
He will test your range, and will not be gentle, and may flare up your pain again. (It wasn’t just me; my physical therapist told me this is fairly common, because they have to work to fix all the people the orthopedic surgeons tweak out). So implore your surgeon to be gentle and take care.
You will improve and feel better and return to your normal habits. Beware.
You write: “What a stupendous thing it is, though, that most of us are such casual experts dispatching the complex tasks of everyday life.”
Actually, what is stupendous is what little expertise we have at moving. For decades we get away with bad habits, bad posture, etc… then we start freezing up, and breaking.
I’ve discovered I’ve been doing virtually everything wrong: sitting, standing, walking, typing, etc… and have literally had to re-learn how to do all of these things to avoid injury. It was not without some considerable resistance that I accepted this, but recurring pain is an effective and patient instructor.
Yoga, or personal training with an expert, or some such, is invaluable to getting through one’s day without being a hazard to yourself. It’s possible to tie one’s shoes and type one’s dispatch effortlessly, but not without some mindful practice and disciplined conditioning through the years. Strength and flexibility are your protectors; cultivate them.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
I can sympathize having had rotator cuff surgery but without the labrum repair a little over a year ago. Yes, there are several weeks with very restricted motion to deal with. And the pain, especially at night when turning or just letting one’s arm slide around can wake one up from the deadest of sleeps. I took to sleeping upright in a chair with about half a dozen cushions to keep various parts from moving unexpectedly.
Just when you think you are over the hump with regard to pain, it is time for the physical therapy to begin. I had the pleasure, I guess, of working with a practitioner who also treats professional athletes and their shoulders. He is very aggressive about PT. Restoring full range of motion means taking the joint to extremes, which meant taking me to tears. Two or three times a week. I have never been waterboarded but I now think I have experienced something similar.
For three to four months after the surgery I sincerely wondered whether I had made the right decision (I am a surgeon so the full use of both arms is of some consequence). But then things got much better and for quite a while now I have realized that my repaired left shoulder is actually better (no pain and better range of motion) than my right. I had not given the other shoulder much thought when I was having so much trouble with the left before surgery. Not that I am about to jump in and get the right done.
But to get to your point about taking things for granted, I recovered fully as I expect you will, too. The pain will improve and you will get back the use of that shoulder. I also spent quite a bit of time pondering the thought of what it would be like to not get better. To always have pain or the limited use of an extremity or two. Quite alarming.
Mr. Kimball – I write this with my right hand as my left is still in a sling after having my left shoulder scoped to repair the rotator cuff. Phase I is 4-6 weeks, not 2-3, but it does get much better. The pain will subside and you’ll be able to sleep in about two weeks after surgery. Do the PT! Also, my temporary incapacity gave my a much better appreciation for the men and
women who have suffered permanent injury while defending us. God bless them.
Mr. Kimball,
Be patient and good luck with your recovery. I am on my 2nd arthroscopic on my left shoulder (which is still good), but my 1st on my right is due for another after taking a fall off my bike. When it gets to the point that I can’t sleep at night anymore I’ll be going back.
After six months is where you might be thinking it was worth it.
Or not.
YMMV as they say.
I’m feeling your pain. When I was 18 years old I broke my right arm pretty badly and required surgery to install an “appliance”. Translation: a metal plate and four screws. After my four day, three night stay in the hospital it became apparent how helpless I was going to be. Cutting up food, feeding myself, writing, shaving… Oh wait. I just said “screw it” and quit shaving — and haven’t to this day, 33 or so years later. And the pain pills the doctor prescribed? They came in a childproof container that I, naturally, couldn’t open. So I had my roommate open the bottle and I just dumped them all out in a saucer. So much for “childproof”, eh? So good luck with your PT and recovery. Never underestimate the capacity of the human body for healing.
Life is a funny sumbitch, right up until it’s not. I once had my mitral valve repaired and couldn’t even pick up my cat.
As for handedness, being left handed, I have always worked on being able to do things with either hand. But tying shoes with one hand – that’s like a thoracic surgeon being able to tie knots with one hand – a skill I don’t have. Be a loafer, and wear them.
It was good to see you on Hannity last week. Hope you’re feeling well enough soon to go forth again.
Been there (sorta)- Crocks and sweats will get you through.
Loosing nerve control is disconcerting, in the least.
GOOD LUCK AND GOD SPEED.
jc
A few years back I separated both shoulders at once in a rugby game. The opposing team’s trainer did me the favor of taping my arms in a position that allowed me to hold a beer. As I was between insurance, this proved to be very instrumental in my medicinal options.
The next 4 weeks were comical – pillows on either side to keep me from rolling over (learned the hard way after waking in searing pain). Showering took a very , very long time. Cooking was out of the question, and takeout was the only option that saved me from serious embarrassment. I really learned to appreciate the need to care for my limbs after that experience.
Clearly you are learning the same lessons.
Been there, done that. Surgery on my right wrist two years ago. Many things were suddenly much more difficult, and a large percentage of these seemed to take place in the bathroom.
My teenage daughter just had knee surgery last week. The surgeon told us that for every week you delay starting your physical therapy on the front end, you add a MONTH of P.T. on the back end.
Sounds like a very good investment to me!
Good luck.
I had the same surury three years ago. When I found the Pt to be just a tad painful I decided that instead of cryin’ tears the size of horse turds over it that I would start to cheerlead the other patients to take my mind off it. It worked.
I used the same trick after my stroke. Oddly enough I regained almost all that I had lost in that stroke. DO YOUR PT!!!
“(I didn’t even know know I had a labrum)”
Actually, it’s right next to your labium.
Been there done that three years ago.
Make sure you do the therapy and take pain meds before the therapy to relax the shoulder. Do not forget to do the exercises your PT gives you. They make a difference. Don’t stop doing the exercises just cause you feel better.
While recovering I slept sitting up (mostly) in a recliner in a fleece sleeping bag. That made it easier to use the shoulder cooling machine and kept me from moving my shoulder.
Taking things for granted is the sine qua non of happiness. When you stop doing so, life becomes a series of losses.
Roger, best of luck getting over your aches and pains. Being physically whole and functional is indeed miraculous, is it not? Been there, done that with going to the ortho docs… the pain and discomfort only seems to last forever. It does receed eventually. Just follow your surgeon’s instructions and grin and bear it. And do your PT – it makes a world of difference.
“(I didn’t even know know I had a labrum)”
See? Right there is your problem. If you had known you had a labrum, you’d have taken better care of it! ;D
Old rugby and weight-lifting injuries have blown my right rotator cuff out to the extent that any palliation now would necessarily be surgical. I won’t do it: it would cost me $25,000, put me out of action for six months and only have a 60% chance of success. But I get a mildly pinched nerve in my brachial complex every now and again. The feeling of panic at commanding your arm to do something and experiencing its subsequent disobedience is awful. I’ve had episodes that have lasted five days. But has it not been said, youth is wasted on the young?
I broke my collarbone while serving on my third ship, in Japan. Fortunately the Internet was there for me… I found videos on one-hand typing and shoe tying (hold the laces with your other foot and weave them around), and even more fortunately, my Chiefs and Officers volunteered to type my endless paperwork for me. Also, a few weeks later my wife and I took a scheduled trip to Kyoto, and, well, I just *couldn’t* carry our luggage with a broken collarbone. So there are bright sides.
I permanently injured my right arm 25 years ago, so I’m familiar with this drill. I recommend polo shirts (no buttons), in a length that you don’t look too sloppy in, as tucking them in and threading a belt is probably out of the question right now. Fortunately for me that is pretty much the ‘business casual’ uniform in Phoenix tech businesses these days. I also recommend slip on shoes. My son is on his third pair of these – http://www.payless.com/store/product/detail.jsp?catId=cat10089&subCatId=cat250002&skuId=076280070&productId=59118&lotId=076280&category=&catdisplayName=Mens and I enjoy my pair as well. If you have a problem (as I do) with the lack of arch support and do a lot of walking, I can also recommend these http://www.landsend.com/pp/AllWeatherMocs~130682_253.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::KHA&CM_MERCH=IDX_Shoes-_-Men-_-WeekendCasual&origin=index and they are great for getting through airport security. And I agree with everyone else, do your PT! It will pay off.
Had my shoulders done, both knees replaced and going in for hip surgery soon. DO YOUR PT! Take pain reliever 40 minutes BRFORE PT so it can be working afterward.
Great story and glad to see you back at the keyboard. Generalizing on the “ungrateful animal” you could look at how we take the fruits of capitalism or more generally specialization and trade. I drive down the highway in my ultra reliable Toyota and think about how utterly wonderful it is that I can do this for such a small fraction of my income!
We are truly ungrateful to the ancestors who dreamed up all the technologies we use so freely today. Those patents have expired, they’re free and we live so much better than we realize because of Smith’s invisible hand. Or arm, I guess.
Can you believe it? I’m leaving in 45 minutes to go have the same surgery. I had it done before on my left arm so know what to expect. But, I never thought about my right arm making me ten times more helpless. And sleeping on my back, again for weeks. Waaaaaaaaaa!!! There goes my husband’s and my daily gin game. Waaaaaaaaaaaa!!! But, it is worth it . . .
Bloody Americans! A fork should always be used with the left hand. The knife is held in the right, or perhaps a spoon for dessert or certain dishes such the more elongated pastas.
You’re right! I always hold my utensils that way. Transferring the fork back and forth while cutting and eating food increases the likelihood of dropping utensils on the floor.
My wife had the exact same surgery Monday. The last couple of days I’ve had to yhelp her get dressed in the morning. I have far more experience in getting her bra off than putting it on and didn’t realize the things were so complex.
Roger,
I too learned the hard way that doctors and therapists dole out the bad news only a bit at a time. Nothing like TV or movies where the script requires the story to move on. I finally realized I had been conditioned by fictional drama to expect to hear all the bad news before I left the hospital, or at least at the follow-up visit to the surgeon. Nope.
That being said, perseverance in physical therapy and in discovering other exercises that help you more (since PTs are restricted in what they can say) will eventually win you back use of your shoulder and sleeping the way you want.
I wish you a speedy recovery, even a miraculous one!
I can sympathize, in a petty unspectacular way. Last May I tripped over a toy one of my kids left on the stairs and took the fall on my right shoulder. (Which beats taking it on my face, I suppose.) Hurt like crazy, but then lots of things did after the fall. It wasn’t until weeks later, when everything had stopped hurting except my shoulder, that I realized I was in trouble.
Long and short of it is that I ended up with a frozen shoulder, and I have been getting physical therapy for it for the last couple of weeks. Not lots of fun. There just ain’t a gentle way to break up scar tissue and restore mobility. Fortunately my shoulder is definitely freeing up now.
Yah. Taking for granted. I hope you and all your readers are blessed with the opportunity to go on taking most everything for granted.
I strongly endorse all of the entreaties to do your PT. I had rotator cuff surgery surgery on my right shoulder and needed it on the left, saving that for a later occasion (right was worse than left so did that one first).
Anyway, I did all the PT exercises religiously, both the sessions at the facility with the therapist and those prescribed for doing at home. I did them equally for both sides and found that I was able to avoid the surgery for my left side completely!
Best of luck on your recovery.
I had ulnar nerve surgery on my left arm (at least I was right handed, which helped a little), and had a similar period when my left arm was imobilized by the nerve tap. It is definitely a challenge doing certain things one handed. Fortunately I had slip on shoes, so shoe laces were not a problem, but buttons on shirts definitely were, and even if the shirt had no buttons, getting it on and off was a real problem. Similar trouble with pants. It gave me some real sympathy for anybody who had permanently lost an arm.
I’ve got a tear (supposedly) in the labrum on my left side. It hurt like a very hurtful thing for a while, but it’s mostly subsided. I’ll get it fixed some day.
A couple weeks ago one of my cow-orkers fell and broke one wrist and the other elbow plus some teeth.
I figure having one arm sucks, but only about 1/100th as much as having both out of action.
You may want to take a look at http://www.rotatoreliever.com. This is a great new product for shoulder pain and even shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff tears. It includes small exercise balls that you use before putting on a brace for sleeping. It has worked wonders for me–I’m pain free now!
My wife went through this, sorry to hear of your troubles.
PS – Google “voice recognition” – dragon, vlingo, and others make surprisingly useful products.