I am officially putting the One Armed Sabbatical into retirement. Today I had my last follow up with the surgeon. He is really pleased with my progress and said I'm a bit ahead of the usual recovery curve. Range of motion is really good and strength is coming back nicely. He said to expect a few more weeks of some minor soreness in the shoulder joint, and about another six months before things are pretty much "normal" or better.
I thanked him and let him know that I am very pleased with the services provided and how things turned out. It's great to be pain free in that shoulder and be able to do normal things again.
We considered putting the sling on the Christmas tree or mantel in place of a stocking, but I decided that I don't want to be reminded of having to wear that for six weeks in summer's heat. Best to move on to bigger and better things.
So, this is the last entry in this blog. Thanks for following along.

Can I Please Get a Break?

I guess the One Armed Sabattical has officially ended, but the blog lives on.
First things first: Tuesday night I decided to have some last-evening-before-going-back-to-work-full-time-fun, and jumped on the Vespa to ride down to the softball fields and watch my team from the last couple of years play their last game of the season. The route takes me through downtown Columbus, and as I was approaching an intersection, a guy who didn't see me coming made a left turn directly in front of me. I'm pretty sure that I swore and hit the brakes, or maybe I hit the brakes and then swore. Doesn't matter. I had to lay the bike down in the street and both the Vespa and I skidded into the bottom of this guy's car. Now comes the part where I talk about divine intervention. The scooter has a couple of minor nicks and scratches but otherwise looks OK although I'm having it checked out for internal damage. As for me, I had a conscious thought that I could not land on my recently surgically altered right shoulder. I ended up going down on my left side and have some pretty big abrasions on my arm, side of the knee, and ankle plus a couple of Technicolor bruises on my thigh. My shoulder was also sore for a couple of days but seems to be OK now. The wreck drew quite a crowd including a fire truck, medic, police car, cop on a bike, and my chiropractor, who happened to be out for a run when he heard there was an accident. I can also say that my helmet probably saved me a trip to the hospital or worse, as my head hit the ground first and pretty hard. All in all, I'm in OK shape. I can't have hard feeling towads the guy who pulled in front of me, as we all get distracted and make mistakes. I told him that I won't say "It's OK", or "Forget about it", but I won't hold a grudge. Life goes on and I consider myself fortunate that I was able to walk and ride away.
I went back to work full time this week, got caught up on email and a few things, and will start back into my projects next week.

That Boy Needs Therapy

It's been a while, so here is some catching up. I just finished week 2 of physical therapy, which involves a lot of stretching of the shoulder muscles, as well as exercises to strengthen and stabilize the shoulder. My therapist, Kelley, is great and has done a fantastic job. (Plus she is an Otterbein grad, bonus points, and her husband is a classic movie buff, extra bonus points!) While I still have a good amount of soreness, which will hang around for some time yet, I have picked up quite a bit of my range of motion. Last week, I was able to raise my arm in front of me to 100 degrees; this week it was 130, quite an improvement. Kelley says to expect about 12 weeks of PT and then I'll be better than bionic.
Going to therapy puts the song "Frontier Psychiatrist" by The Avalanches into my head, where they keep singing repeatedly "That boy needs therapy, b-b-boy needs therapy."
I also started back to work last week, part-time four hours a day, and tackled a mountain of email. I go back full time on September 1. Will this bring about the end of the One Armed Sabattical? Stay tuned.....

No Slings Attached!

The sling is gone. After six weeks of wearing it day and night, I'm finally able to dispose of the Ultra Sling II. My six week check up was on Friday, and the doctor said I am doing pretty well and don't need the sling any longer. By this point in time, the expectation is that you can raise your elbow to the side at a 90 degree angle, and I can get mine a bit higher than that. I start six weeks of physical therapy on Tuesday, probably three times a week. I hear that it can be a bit "intense" to begin, but met the therapist who is a very nice, pettite young woman who looks like she won't hurt me too much.


The picture is probably the only one in existance of a middle-aged white guy in a sling singing "Funky Cold Medina" in a karaoke bar in Wilmington, N.C. We managed to get a visit in last week for Susan's birthday and had a nice time.

Ellen Comes to Visit

Ellen was here this week to visit and we had a lot of fun. The highlight of the weekend was on Saturday night, when I lucked into a ticket for the Ween concert at Lifestyles Community Pavillion and Ellen and I went together. There was no real seating, only standing in front of the outdoor stage and lawn seating. So, since I am still wearing the sling and didn't want to be in the middle of the mosh pit, we asked about handicapped seating and the very nice lady who worked there seat up two folding chairs for us in an area between the pit and the lawn, so we could sit and see over everyone's heads. Nice! I may keep the sling for future use even after I am better.

Three Week Report

Today is three weeks since surgery. I will say that I am starting to feel better, although there are still some sore spots in my shoulder especially when doing the exercises I have to increase range of motion. I am also finding that I get tired a bit more easily, which is interesting as I have not really been doing a lot of physical activities. The highly technicolor bruises that are on the upper arm have faded considerably.

The surgery bills are starting to roll in, and between the hospital and surgeon the total for two hours in surgery and about 90 minutes in recovery is close to $30,000 (at least that is what my insurance company has been billed.) But, for that price, I got some pictures that I can share with you (click to make them larger, then click again to zoom more). These are of the inside of my shoulder during surgery. I actually find it fascinating since most people won't ever get to see full color pictures of the inside of their body. The first set shows the red inflammation in the tendon and the tear in the rotator cuff, plus the tool that was used to shave away part of the bone. The second set shows the repair to the tendon, which was sutured to two small posts that were inserted into the bone. The sutures and posts are all made of a sugar compound that will dissolve in about 2 years.

Note that these pictures are not quite as graphic as the video I posted earlier of an operation- so even if you are a bit squeamish, you might find these interesting.

Today's Special Guest

Today I am featuring a special guest, none other than Loretta. Here you will see Loretta braving the heat to cut the grass on Sunday and she did a fine job. The curious thing to me, is that a lot of people have asked if there is anything they can do to help, which I greatly appreciate, but almost every one has asked "Do you want me to come over and cut your grass?" I offered the job to a 11 year old boy a few doors down from us, who said "Let me think about that and get back to you." Turns out he already has a few lawn mowing jobs for the summer.

So thanks, Loretta, for a job well done!

Cosmic Dave

On Saturday, we drove up to Cleveland for a memorial celebration for my sister, held at Chagrin Valley Little Theater. It was very nice and thanks to everyone who attended and made it possible. Loretta, Mary and I decided to grab a quick lunch at Dave's Cosmic Sub Shop, across from the theater. We even got to meet Cosmic Dave (see the picture). What a great guy and a lot of fun to talk to. He asked what had happened to my arm and I told him, "I got into a fight with the last guy who screwed up my sub order. But you should see that guy." Wearing a sling makes me funny.

A Good Day

Today is a good day. I had my first post-operation visit to the doctor, and the bandages are off for good. Meaning no more Glad Press-N-Seal before taking a shower. One picture is of Tom Hunt, Physician Assistant to Dr. Westerheide, removing the bandages (don't be distracted by my totally many physique). Overall, things look good and I'm totally amazed at all the work that was done through four very small incisions that are healing over nicely. He even mentioned some additional work they did that I didn't know about until today. Really incredible.

Now, the other side of the coin is that I have to keep wearing the sling for another five weeks until my next check up to let the rotator cuff repair heal. So, still no driving until then, and then will come physical therapy to rebuild strength. The other picture is of my doctor, Ken Westerheide. A good man.

Oh, and I got my hair cut today.

On the road to recovery.

Ah, the UltraSling, which in 95 degree heat should more aptly be called "the rottisserie."
I have been spending most of the days indoors to escape the heat, feeling better but still a lot of soreness in the shoulder. My upper arm is a nice technicolor shade of yellow and purple- very attractive. First post-op doctor visit is on Friday morning.
Spent the holiday around the house, Monday evening Loret took me out for sushi and a walk around the mall.
Thanks to everyone who has read my notes and left nice, and occassionally interesting comments.
Bu the big question on everyone's minds- what will LeBron do? Who cares !
Go Netherlands!

Done!

Well, it's over. Successful surgery done on Thursday at 10:45 and I was home by 3:30. Now it's time to do some exercises to help range of motion and I was finally able to shower today. First follow up doctor visit is Friday. Too many stories to tell while typing with one hand, so more later. Overall feeling a bit better each day. Loretta has been my Florence Nightengale and is a real champ, changing dressings, helping me dress, and generally being awesome. More later.

Catching Up

OK, time to catch up a bit since a lot has gone on the last two weeks. Surgery is going to take place tomorrow, July 1. I'm waiting to hear from the hospital as to what time I will have to be there, but I'm guessing that I'll watch the sun come up on the drive over.
I took a day off today, to take care of some odds and ends that require two fully functional arms, like mowing the lawn, cleaning the fish tank, updating the blog, paying some bills and runnning a few errands.
Loretta and I will go for our usual Wednesday date night sushi meal tonight. Yum.
I made the mistake of contacting the doctor and hospital to try to figure out how much this is all going to cost. If anyone thinks that we don't need medical reform in this country they need a doctor. The hospital charges $69 a minute for use of the operating room, and I'm scheduled for two hours. I'm figuring that by the time this is all finished, my insurance company will be billed close to $25,000 or more. Thankfully I have a limit on how much I have to pay annually out of pocket, but it still isn't cheap. I asked the doctor's office if they would consider removing a kidney while they are at it that I could sell to pay the bill. She didn't think it was funny.
Looking forward to getting this over and behind me.

Life can change so quickly.

Last Saturday, June 12, we lost my sister and friend, Judy, to breast cancer. I knew early in the week that her time may be drawing near, so postponed the surgery until a later time so that I could be in Cleveland.

I am so grateful for friends and relatives who have been so supportive these last few days, especially Loretta and my family. Without you, this would be so much more difficult to bear than it already is. I take great comfort in knowing that you are there.

I am also grateful for Judy's husband, Frank, who has been right by her side during this entire time. I am sure that Judy was comforted by his never faltering love and care.

There is an old gospel song, "Going Home" that is based on a classical piece of music by Dvorak. I have always been a fan of gospel and spiritual music, but it's one of my favorites. Part of the lyrics are:

"Going home, going home, I'm a going home;
Quiet-like, some still day, I'm just' going home.
It's not far, just close by,
Through an open door;
Work all done, care laid by,
Going to fear no more.

Mother's there expecting me,
Father's waiting too;
Lots o' folk gathered there,
All the friends I knew,
All the friends I knew.
Home, I'm going home!"

Judy has gone home, and I will miss her terribly, but know that some day she will be waiting for me and I will see her again.

Rest in peace, sis.

Best Father's Day Gift

Ellen was here to visit this weekend and brought what might be one of the most thoughtful early Father's Day presents ever: The One Handed Mandolin Slicer. This will undoubtedly allow me to hone my one-handed cooking skills over the next few weeks. Nice! Thanks, Ellen!
Less than two days to go.

Still Practicing

I'm still practicing doing everyday tasks left-handed with various degrees of success. Eating is easy. Shaving is difficult. Loretta and I were in the store the other night, in the aisle with toilet paper, and I asked where the left-handed kind was.
Saw my chiropractor yesterday, Dr. Jim. Great guy and a very good doctor. He's going to help out with the rehab. Pretty much every time I have gone to see him I walk out feeling better. I met Jim when I was an extra in Opera Columbus' production of "Aida" a few years ago.
Loretta's birthday was yesterday and we had a nice dinner with friends and evening.

One Week to Go

One week from today is "the day." It sort of sunk in this morning when I turned the calendar page to June and realized that what once seemed like a good ways off is right around the corner.
Loretta and I spent an awesome long weekend in Niagara on the Lake, in Canada. We had great weather that enabled us to do some hiking in the Niagara gorge (not too close to the falls) on Saturday, and a self-guided bike tour of a few wineries on Sunday. Ask Loretta about her experience in hand feeding chickens and gathering eggs that were just laid. Nice!

Sling of Turin

I don't want to skew the voting, but thought I should clarify this. The "Sling of Turin" is akin to the Shroud of Turin, thought by some to be the burial shroud of Jesus Christ, containing his image and revered in some circles as a sacred artifact. The Sling of Turin thusly would look something like this. Maybe I should call it the Sling of Columbus. Vote wisely.

But will I be able to play the piano?

Here's some good information on how to play the guitar after having rotator cuff surgery, which is proof that you can indeed find anything on the Internet.
I'm hoping that I'll finally be able to play the solo from "Wish You Were Here."

http://www.ehow.com/how_5697467_play-after-rotator-cuff-surgery.html

I did some online research today and found out that an amazing side effect of the surgery is that I will look just like Daniel Craig and will be the next James Bond. Righteous.

Today I took advantage of a beautiful day, sunny and about 85 degrees, to hang up the Air Chair on the tree out back, or as I now call it, the "recovery room."

And so, it begins.....

One Armed Sabattical? What is that? Well, let me begin by quickly catching up those of you who may be asking that question. On June 8, I'm going to have surgery to fix a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder, along with some other problems there. A few weeks ago, to my surprise, the doc let me know that I will have to keep the arm in a sling for six weeks (I was planning on a few days) during which there is no driving or use of that arm. So, that also means no work as I use the computer extensively and have to keep my right arm steady. I'll be taking my first medical leave in almost 36 years of employment.

Loretta gave me the idea of keeping a blog to document this momentous occassion. My good pal and guitar playing buddy Marty came up with the name "One Armed Sabbatical" for my time off of work, hence the name of the blog. There, now you are all up to date.

Since it's my right shoulder, which is my dominant arm, I have been practicing random everyday acts with my left arm. Last week I tried brushing my teeth left handed and made such a frigging mess on the mirror that I went out today and bought a power toothbrush. Along with the toothbrush, I had to pick up some Glad "Press and Seal" which goes over the surgery incision sites when I shower. You know I am looking forward to that.

Today I cut the grass and tried pushing the mower with one hand. Hopefully there is some kid in the neighborhood who needs a part time job for six weeks.

I found a video of the procedure on YouTube but only made it part way through before I almost passed out. If you want to watch, click the video below and tell me how it ends. Or maybe I'm better off not knowing.