I gotta tell ya...Physical therapy is kicking my a**!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

I'm going twice a week now, and wow. Who knew the shoulder could regress as much as mine did during the three weeks I was immobilized after my surgery?

I am weak.

I am not flexible. (the joint, ya know?)

I have much work to do.

I knew it wouldn't be any fun, and it isn't. Still, I must DO IT. I want to be able to use my arm to its full capacity, and that means Physical Therapy.




I AM feeling stronger every week...it's worth it!

[Xyzse]

1. Glad to hear that.

It is absolutely worth it.

Great job.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Thank you, my dear Xyzse!

It IS. Though the stretching out brings a tear to my eye...when my PT lady whispers "well done" I know it's worth it.

[Xyzse]

5. Yeah...

Trying to bring out a better physical fitness is always worth it.

I thought I was going to die when I first started Insanity. I am still very happy I finished it(a few times).

Keep at it, and I am really happy you're doing that. My aunt, had to do that too with her arm, but she stopped, and the results were not good.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Even though I'm complaining, I'm even gladder that I'm doing it.

My PT lady said she thought I'd be working through May for the best results.

In June, my husband and I will be going on a little driving trip, so I will stop by then.

I'm sorry your aunt stopped going.

[Xyzse]

7. Yeah me too.

She stopped working her arm, that it became completely immobilized, puffy and atrophied.

It happens, so I am glad to know you're keeping at it. I know hers was an extreme case, but it is something I won't wish on any one.

[lunatica]

2. Hugs to you for hanging in there!

Love ya CaliforniaPeggy!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Aw, thank you, my dear lunatica!

I have to hang in there! Otherwise all this trouble will be for naught...

I'm looking down the road to when I will be well, and I know I'll get there...

[Paulie]

8. Ya need a veteran nurse to tell at ya to keep ya motivated!!!

Oh wait....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. Ain't that the truth, my dear Paulie!

Wait............what???

[mnhtnbb]

9. What's the saying? No pain, no gain?

Been there with a hip replacement.

Gotta' do your exercises. Just push through it...to the other side!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. And I am pushing, my dear mnhtnbb!

Some days the other side looks awfully far away!

[csziggy]

10. Physical therapy is hard work - and it will get your shoulder back to strength

After my shoulder surgery my arm was immobilized for over a month. The big muscle at the top of the arm was atrophied - the ligament holding it up had snapped and the muscle had not really worked for ten months. I actually had three ligaments detached, two others damaged of the seven that make up the rotator cuff.

When I first started PT I couldn't lift my arm at all. Four months of PT and another two months of supervised exercise, I had 99% of function back. Twenty years later, that arm is still working great.

I know you will keep at it and your arm will feel like new in no time, CP!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. Wow, my dear csziggy...

You really went through it.

And look how well you did!

Thanks for sharing your story...

I can just barely lift my arm now, but I will get there. It can be discouraging. I need my arm back. It's hard to take pictures with it functioning so poorly!

[csziggy]

31. You give me hope in case that shoulder gets messed up again

The surgeon told me if I injure it again it can't be fixed - it's all scar tissue in the joint. But he told me that in 1993 before shoulder replacements were done much. With your example I have the expectation that if I do damage it again, he (or whoever replaces him when he retires) CAN repair that shoulder.

You'll be amazed at how fast your strength will come back. It's been twenty years, but if I remember correctly, within a few weeks I was able to do most things. Building up the strength to carry hay bales and other farm chores took longer.

BTW, I still have that puffin picture of yours - my husband hasn't seen it, but he wants me to stitch him a puffin. I want to use your picture as my model. I'll let you know when it's done!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. I'm glad I gave you hope!

I had been told that replacements weren't done routinely too, and like you, that was years ago. Now things have changed enormously.

I had a lot of scar tissue too, and they just cut it out. It made the surgery longer, but they were able to do it.


I am really honored that you want to use my puffin picture! Please feel free to do so. And I would love to see how your puffin turns out!

[GoCubsGo]

14. The shoulder seems to be the worst as far as healing goes.

I mucked up my rotator cuff 15 years ago, and it still bothers me from time to time. I was fine as long as I kept up with the strength training, but that has long gone by the wayside. I am glad you are getting stronger, Peggy. I think I just need to take you as my inspiration to get back to the weight room. Swimming and the resistance training I get from doing Aqua Zumba just ain't cutting it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. My dear GoCubsGo...

Shoulders are complex, troublesome joints! Not a simple hinge, like the knee.

If I can inspire you, it will make my life worthwhile!

You might consider asking your doc for a referral to a physical therapist--these people can, and do, work wonders.

[we can do it]

15. Shoulder rehab is a bear, but you can do it!

[we can do it]

16. I was immobilized 2 months with mine, I was a mess!

Don't give up, it wil take a while.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. My dear we can do it!

Two months is a long time to be immobilized! I thought 3 weeks was awful...

I'm glad you're OK.

I am sticking with it...I want at least my shoulder to be normal!

[we can do it]

20. Be patient, think positive, and stick with it!

You have a great attitude, so you will do well. Plan on keeping it in shape from now on.
I still do my shoulder exercises, because I never want to go through that again!

[Squinch]

19. Hang in there Peggy! Every ounce of work you put in now will pay off for the rest of your life!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. This is what I think too, my dear Squinch!

[dipsydoodle]

21. Is it that you can't get it up your back much above waist level ?

They anaesthetised me to stretch the rotor cuff tendons and then I had physio most productive of which was strapping a belt round my wrist fed over my shoulder and then pulling it up - soon freed off.

Get well soon.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. That is exactly it, my dear dipsydoodle...

They have me doing similar stretching exercises and I can already see a small improvement.

Thanks, sweetie...

[TBF]

22. Keep at it -

I have arthritis CAPeggy, and I find that the days I don't walk are worse than the days I do. I think that backs up the old saying "use it or lose it". Keep at it - you can do it!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

27. I am keeping at it, my dear TBF!

What you say is so true.

[frwrfpos]

23. DU rec

taking a break from the craziness in GD. I hope you feel better soon

[CaliforniaPeggy]

28. My dear frwrfpos!

The Lounge is a great place for getting away from GD craziness!

I am feeling better all the time, and thanks!

[Ohio Joe]

24. Well... There is only one thing to do...

Kick it's ass right back

Hope you are feeling better Peg

[CaliforniaPeggy]

29. You are so right, my dear Ohio Joe!

And you know all this is making me feel better!

Thanks, sweetie...

[Kali]

30. keep on truckin', Peggy!

Hope you get everything back in shape fast and without too much pain.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

33. Hey, Kali, thanks!

It won't be fast (unless months are considered fast, lol!) but I should get there.

A certain amount of pain is inevitable, but my PT lady is really good at helping me get through it.

[Scuba]

34. If it's physical, it's therapy. Go get 'em, Peggy!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

39. Oh, good! Thank you, my dear Scuba! I'm getting!

[My Good Babushka]

35. I hope it gets easier

and you make a full recovery!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

40. My dear My Good Babushka...

Well, it isn't really getting easier...When it does, they crank up the exercises and I start over!



I do expect it will pay off and that is what I want.



Thank you!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

41. I am hanging in, and thank you, my dear nolkyz!

[lame54]

37. Hang in there- stay strong

[CaliforniaPeggy]

42. You know I am, and thank you, my dear lame54...

[malthaussen]

38. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

And if you believe that shit, I have some lovely ocean-front property in Wyoming I'd like to sell you.

-- Mal

[CaliforniaPeggy]

43. I keep telling myself that, my dear Mal...

But I'll pass on the property, lol!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

44. Welcome to my world.

Not.

I wouldn't wish this kind of long term pain on anyone. I've been doing therapy 2 hours a day, 3 days a week, for a year now. Although it does help considerably, there are days I'm really glad I have a script for Vicodin to help keep me from screaming.

I pray your recovery goes well and the pain and stiffness fades. Just remember that the body doesn't remember pain, so as it fades so will your memory of it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

45. My dear Prisoner_Number_Six...

Oh boy, you have really been going through it, and for such a long time too...

Yeah, I use my Vicodin now and then too...

And I am eternally grateful that the body doesn't remember pain...

I hope you feel better too, my dear friend...