We are getting closer to His scheduled shoulder replacement surgery -- scheduled for Friday, June 17. The needed medical sign-offs are beginning to be completed -- today we got the cardiologist to confirm that there is no evidence of a heart attack, and so we are good to go from that end of things. Tomorrow, He has an appointment with the primary care doctor, and hopefully hopefully that one (the doctor who will be replaced as soon as we get through all of this business) will now be satisfied and just sign the necessary release.
T has approval for time off from work, so she and I will both be able to be around for the day of the surgery and for the week following. If all goes well, it is possible that He'll only spend one night in the hospital. The recovery and rehab from this surgery is lengthy -- 3-4 weeks of total immobilization and then months and months of physical therapy to help Him regain as much use of the arm as possible.
The surgeon is very clear that the reasons for doing this reverse total replacement of the shoulder joint is ALL about relieving His pain. He is very careful to delimit the expectations we might be harboring around the actual use of the arm. So that will take some time to get clear. He never was into rock climbing, and He's not a golfer. The big question for us (which we have not actually asked the surgeon), is "how long will it be before He can swing a flogger?" Probably six months or more, but maybe someday...
However that all goes, for right now we are focused on getting prepared for the actual day of the shoulder replacement. Wish us luck.
swan
Good luck to you all!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
mouse
Best wishes and warm happy thoughts for each of you through this next hurdle you climb on the journey to health and well being for all of you.
ReplyDeletemagdala~
All the best to you and the doctors who will be fixing that shoulder.
ReplyDeletePatience and persistence are your best friends with rehab-ing those replacement surgeries .. so good luck keeping them in sight!
Aww, c'ome on, ask. I dare 'ya. You're due for some fun.
ReplyDeleteHang in there guys. Big team rooting for you.
Sending all possible positive energy your way, for everyone involved in this process!
ReplyDeleteTapestry
xoxo
Having had a total hip replacement, I'm here to tell you that those people should be called physical terrorists...
ReplyDeleteBut, I pushed myself, did everything they said, and within 6 months when I had a new terrorist, he guessed the wrong leg as to which had been replaced. (I was wearing capri length pants-scar wasn't visible.) And I was already running around in high heels again. 12 years later, I'm still running around in heels....
Given his determination and all the support you two will be giving him, I'm sure he'll make better progress than most.
You all are in my love and prayers,
Lyn