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There are times when I hesitate to write something about me.
Maybe I'm concerned it will upset or worry you, or perhaps I
think I'm 'dumping'. However, this one may become obvious,
so I better fess up now.
A week from this Wednesday, August 1st, I'm having some surgery
on my right shoulder to repair a rotator cuff tear and arthritis.
It appears the damage has been there for some time, but because
I take pain meds for the nerve damage to my face (yes, I know,
it's killing you too) I wasn't as aware of how bad the shoulder
was.
My regular health provider thought I had 'sprained/strained' the
shoulder and prescribed some muscle relaxants and the heating pad.
The chiropractor thought it was a 'frozen shoulder' and put me
on exercises I couldn't do. An X-Ray and then the MRI revealed
the tear. We scheduled an appointment with the local orthopedic
clinic.
About that time our neighbor Bill showed up at the front door
with a couple very nice Dungeness crabs - cooked and ready to
crack and eat. He noticed my right arm in a sling and the
conversation quickly turned to the surgery he had on his
shoulder and a knee. The next day, I called over to
Orthopedics International and made an appointment to see the
doctor Bill had. Turns out the doctor, Larry Pedegana, is the
go-to orthepod for the Seattle Mariners. He is also a very
avid fly fisher. Small world.
Then there are days which somehow just go wrong. I need an EKG,
a bunch of blood tests and a complete physical. Made the trip
down to Bremerton for the EKG, they didn't have the paperwork,
and could not reach my medical provider. Sorry, go home. Well
not quite, I still had the blood work. Went to the lab, and they
didn't have the paperwork either. I knew it had been called in
and suggested the lab tech make a phone call. It took two calls.
The blood was drawn, I was on the way out of the office when the
tech caught up with me, more paperwork was faxed over and she
needed more blood. At least that is one down.
Headed home, almost there when the cell-phone rang. It was the
Cardiology office, they did have the paperwork, could I come back
now? Opps. Made arrangements for Monday morning.
That just leaves the physical, and I'll have that on Tuesday.
The surgeon likes to have all the labwork, EKG, physical and
anything else (in my case the records from the last surgery
so they can see what anesthesia was used since I don't tolerate
anesthetics very well.) We went to the local hospital when
I'd had the last surgery only to find out they don't keep any
of the medical records there. Everything is kept at the main
hospital in Bremerton. It's okay, we'll be in Bremerton
on Monday, I'll take care of it then.
The next problem is I need to work. I'm in a sling most of
the time, but I can't type with it on, and somehow I have to
figure out how I can manage to get the next couple of issues
of FAOL up. We're considering a cordless keyboard, which maybe
will work if I can put it on my lap and type.
I talked with a friend who tried a voice operated program for her
computer. She said she spent more time correcting mistakes then
she did doing the piece. Too much of a learning curve. The ideal
solution would be to have two issues (at least) already produced and
'in the can.' But trust me, that isn't going to happen.
I'm told there will a period of time required for physical therapy.
Our neighbor Bill (with the crabs) said he went every day for a
couple of months. And he warned me not to miss any sessions.
The goal here is to get it done, (where did we hear that before?)
Do the necessary therapy so I can function nicely, without pain,
by the time the Idaho Fish-In comes up. The date on that one
is the last week of September.
If I work really hard, just maybe I'll get to fish for those
lovely cutthroats on the Selway. ~ The LadyFisher
If you would like to comment on this or any other article please feel free to
post your views on the FAOL Bulletin Board!
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