After a one hour torture session (AKA physical therapy), I lay down on a table with an ice pack while electrodes pump little shocks of energy through my shoulder.
Typically I get really bored, so I had a little fun with the cell phone camera:
Apparently, I'm in rehab, folks.
My fine superiors at work announced to the upper-level staff that I couldn't write a story today because I was at rehab. One even tried to make a lame Amy Winehouse joke (they tried to make Leigh go to rehab, and she said no, no, no).
Just call me the next train wreck.
In reality, I'm just in physical therapy. And can I tell you how fun that was today. Today was probably the worst pain I've felt so far in those torture sessions. However, I have graduated to resistance bands. I'm sorry, but I won't be making a new workout video, though.
Contrary to popular belief, you will not get me in a pair of Spandex and a G-string leotard. Only the girls of Hot Sundae can pull off a feat like that.
And now, ladies and gentleman, give it up for HOT SUNDAE (and Leigh).
Yes, that is just a sliver of my shoulder workout routine. Now, if only I could work it like Lisa Turtle, Jessie Spano and Kelly Kapowski.
Whew ... all that hard work requires 15 minutes of ice.
The physical therapist has me doing all kinds of crazy stretches twice a day.
- the cane wave (I'm ever so industrious and use the pole from my Swiffer)
- the walk the line: I have to stare at a wall and let my fingers inch up the wall as far as my little shoulder will let them go. Needless to say, they don't go far.
-the rub-a-dub-dub: I'm supposed to take that towel and pull my bad arm a bit to get a stretch. But I'm too weak for this one, so told me to just try to get my arm behind my back and up an inch or so for now. Oy.
- the tap dance
- the I'm not creative enough to come up with a title for this one: this one is the hardest for me. I can lift my arm just about 5 inches, and I'm supposed to do three sets of 15 on this one. It SUCKS!
I had my first physical therapy appointment today.
Pain.
When you haven't moved your shoulder in eight weeks, it doesn't feel very good when the physical therapist pulls and prods it all over the place. As much as it hurt, though, I'm glad to finally start working on getting my full range of motion back.
The good news is he said I already have pretty good mobility. He thinks that if things keep up the way they are, I'll be back in no time.
But for now I'm not looking forward to getting up for those early PT appointments.
GOODBYE, LENNY II!
You've kept me from tying my own shoes, washing my own hair properly and cutting my own food.
You were a pain, but you were good for some things. You got me a lot of time off from work, and lots of sympathy points. Even my little nephew Gavin loved sitting on your little cushion and looking out.
I won't miss you at all. Sleeping with my arm in that funky position was not easy. But we had some fun together.
For now, I'll keep you locked in a closet and never look back. Don't come back now, ya hear?
(The doctor gave me the A-OK to take the sling off today. Now, it's a 4-6 month battle at the physical therapist to get my full range of motion back. Oh joy)
In t-minus 20 hours, this little fashion accessory should be gone from my life forever.
Thanks to a torn ligament in my right shoulder, I've had to wear this fancy contraption for eight weeks now. I see the doctor tomorrow, and am crossing my fingers that he gives the A-OK to get this sucker off.
