Progress

When I first graduated from nursing school- a long time ago- I worked on an orthopedic floor taking care of post-surgical patients. Shoulder surgeries generally required about a week's stay in the hospital and months and months of rehab/physical therapy. Richard had shoulder surgery (repair of a torn rotator cuff and shredded biceps tendon) last week- and was in the hospital a total of SIX HOURS! A surgery that would have had a huge incision when I worked now has just three tiny incisions covered with steri-strips, not even sutured!

Richard came home in a sling with strict instructions not to move his arm out of the position it was in- but could wiggle his fingers all he wanted. The sling had two accessories- a bolster to keep his arm slightly away from his body and a red rubber ball. The bolster kept his arm in the most comfortable position; the red rubber ball was for entertainment. Richard couldn't decide if it was to throw for any  dogs he might see (to play fetch) or to throw at me when he wanted something. The first couple of days were painful making "Iceman" and pain pills a huge blessing. "Iceman" is the blue cooler (filled with ice/water) attached to a hose and pad in the pictures below. It provides continuous icy coldness for about 4 hours, then it's time to refill it. While Richard rested his biceps, mine have gotten quite a workout lugging 20 pounds of ice up two flights of stairs every day to feed "Ice man!" By the third day, Richard was able to do pretty much whatever he wanted- as long he didn't need to use his left arm AT ALL.

A glimpse of Richard's day!

Richard returned to the surgeon on Tuesday (a week after his surgery) and got the "all clear" to begin physical therapy. The doctor also removed the bolster from the sling and reminded him to keep his arm at 90° until therapy instructed him differently. The incisions are pretty much healed and he graduated from sleeping upright in a chair to sleeping more prone in a bed. He also uses bags of frozen veggies for a quick ice-down during the day and uses "Iceman" just at night. Progress!!

First work... then a reward!

The physical therapist extends his arm and works his shoulder after first reminding Richard that he is NOT to do ANY of the work. It's called passive range of motion... and is a love-hate relationship. It's hurts at first, but then feels much better. The session ends with ice and TENS, a nerve stimulation device that reduces pain. After Richard's first work-out, we went to Rita's for a"gelati"- frozen custard and Italian Ice- to celebrate a good work-out.

The healing process has begun and now just takes time. Thank you to all of you have called or sent cards and email- they are a great encouragement!