Well, I just got home from seeing my orthopedic doctor...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

And the news is good!

The surgery went well--no surprises, no problems. My rotator cuff is good.

I've had no real pain. No infections post-op, either.

He gave me copies of the pictures he took while he had the camera in there! Pretty neat.

I see him in 3 weeks, and then the formal PT will start. In the meantime, I can shower and wash my hair!

He wants me to do some very simple exercises with that left arm in the meantime.

I want to thank all of you for your good vibes as I pass through this latest medical adventure!

[denbot]

1. Good news Miss CP.

And you did not post your medical pictures because.. ?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Thank you, my dear denbot!

I didn't post them for a couple of reasons: they're not digital, though I could scan them. And some people might be grossed out, even though they're not a bit bloody. Also, I really don't remember exactly what's showing in them.

That's why!

[denbot]

4. I have a catscan on a DVD but I can't figure out the format.

Otherwise I would have inflected my twitchy pancreas on my fellow DU'er a year or so ago.

[Crewleader]

3. Wonderful to hear Peggy

Your Good News is Beautiful to receive my friend!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Thank you, my dear Crewleader!

You are a sweetie, and no mistake!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. good progress, Peggy. glad to hear it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. Thanks, my dear Tuesday Afternoon...Greatly appreciated!

[blm]

7. Most of the significant pain is ahead in the therapy.

I tried to tough it out at first without pain pills (what an ego I had) and I only ended up delaying my recovery. Take the pain pills before therapy (I cut mine in half) and your recovery should be on schedule.

Best wishes to you.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. I've had a bit of PT before...

And you're right about the pain!

I can't take the pills in the daytime, though. They make me very sleepy!

I get iced down when I'm done and the pain goes away, thank goodness!

[blm]

56. Mine made me feel like I just drank sake.

Too bad I was too infirmed to enjoy it the way I enjoyed sake...in days gone by. ; )

[Coventina]

8. Great news!

I know how much it means to be able to shower and stuff with no help!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. My dear Coventina!

I really like being independent and asking for help makes me crazy!

[libodem]

9. You are very stoic

I've worked orthopedic floors and rotator cuff business is tough pain. You sound like a very good patient, for a nurse.

Gently.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. I really haven't had any significant pain, my dear libodem...

Maybe I'm stoic, but I don't think so.

Anyway, thanks for your good thoughts!

[Solly Mack]

10. Glad the news is good!

Enjoy your shower!!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. Thank you, my dear Solly Mack!

Me too, sweetie...

And you know I will!

[MissDeeds]

11. Yea!

Wonderful outcome. Thanks for sharing your good news with us, CP. Have a great weekend.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

20. Thank you, my dear MissDeeds!

I will...you too!

[ReRe]

12. Yay!!!

Now, don't push it. Shower yes, shampoo hair with good hand/arm only though, OK? Don't go lifting that arm just yet. Give it another week. Then start the exercises. I'm just scared that it's too soon to aggravate it. Best wishes in your continuing recuperation.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. Thanks for the good words, my dear ReRe!

My doc actually said he wants me to do some simple exercises with that arm, and that includes washing my hair. We'll see how it goes.

He wants me to bend it upwards from the elbow and to squeeze my little squeeze ball on my immobilizer, starting now.

I'm not to do any other exercises until he sees me again in 3 weeks. It should be OK.

I appreciate your input!

[calimary]

13. YAY! Great news, my dear Peggy!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. Aw, thank you, my dear calimary!

[gademocrat7]

14. Good news,Peggy!

Sending good wishes for your upcoming PT.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. Thank you, my dear gademocrat7!

I'm actually looking forward to the PT.

[Ilsa]

23. Awwwwesommmme!

Hang in there with the therapy!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. You bet I am, my dear Ilsa, and thanks!

[Divernan]

26. A good orthopod is a pearl beyond measure.

Glad everything is going well for you. My orthopod is retiring this summer - he's hit age 70. This is a super human being who spends one month each year operating at a mission hospital in Nigeria. The rest of the year he's in contact with the docs there for consults - they can email him x-rays, med. records etc. He has been planning to spend more time at the mission hospital once he's retired, but I am concerned for him re Ebola: Just yesterday this story broke from Nigeria. In any event, he is one of those rare people from whom goodness just shines out. I learned from an elderly couple I met in his waiting room that the doc's father had married them over 50 years ago. His dad was a minister - gave his son a sense of the importance of doing some good in the world. Oh, and he got pushed out of one group practice because he spent too much time explaining things to and answering questions from his patients. What a guy!

The Nigerian government on Thursday said it had placed 69 people on surveillance and quarantined two others since the first case of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, was identified in the country.

The Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu at a briefing in Abuja said that the 69 people were on surveillance due to their direct or indirect contact with the Liberian- American, Patrick Sawyer, who died from the deadly disease.

Mr. Sawyer died last Thursday in a Lagos hospital after he came into Nigeria from Liberia via Asky Airline. His sister was also said to have died of the disease in Liberia.

- See more at: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/featured-news/165871-ebola-nigeria-places-69-people-on-surveillance-quarantines-2-others.html#sthash.5fM0Jz51.dpuf

[CaliforniaPeggy]

27. They really are pearls beyond measure, my dear Divernan...

I have been very lucky with mine. ALL have been terrific people as well as superb doctors.

I'm happy that yours has been so good too. Why do they have to retire? Well, of course they do.

And thank you for the link to the news from Nigeria. Sounds as though they have a good handle on the outbreak.

[hamsterjill]

28. I'm so happy to hear the good news, Peggy!

I love your attitude toward life! You always see the positive. It's a great example for all of the rest of us.

Here's to successful PT with as little discomfort as possible, and then a life back to normal!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. Aw, thank you, my dear hamsterjill!

I try to always be positive, and I generally succeed. I tend to hide when I'm feeling negative!

It's been so long since I've been remotely normal, I may not recognize it!

[alfredo]

29. Excellent. You will learn to love/hate your PT. Stick with the exercises.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

35. Thanks, my dear alfredo!

I've had PT before. Remember this surgery was to fix something from when I had the shoulder replaced last January. I'd had months of PT before the shoulder started slipping. I hope I haven't lost too much of the strength and flexibility I'd gotten from those PT sessions.

*sigh*

I WILL stick with it! I'd love to be normal again!

[alfredo]

41. I've spent over a thousand for PT for my wife. It was worth every cent.

All my PT is free. Yeah VA!

[PoliticAverse]

30. good to hear, best wishes for your continued recovery! n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

36. Thank you, my dear PoliticAverse! n/t

[femmocrat]

31. That is great news, Peggy!

You are coming out the other side now!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

37. Aw, thank you, my dear femmocrat!

I'm really feeling that way too, and it feels great!

[ailsagirl]

33. That's really terrific, CaliforniaPeggy

You must be so relieved it's behind you and that everything went A-OK!!

Congratulations!*!*!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

38. Thank you, my dear ailsagirl!

I can tell you, I AM relieved! All the bad things that could have happened, didn't!

[Playinghardball]

34. Peggy, when can you resume doing cartwheels?

LOL

[CaliforniaPeggy]

39. You must be kidding, my dear Playinghardball!

Cartwheels???

Moi?

How about never? lol

[Playinghardball]

99. Of course I'm kidding...

Glad to hear you're doing extremely well....

Soon you'll be doing backflips again.....LOL

[ailsagirl]

67. LOL indeed

[LiberalLoner]

40. I'm glad it went well,

Hope you have a good, fast recovery!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

42. Thank you, my dear LiberalLoner!

I'm hoping for the same, and so far, so good!

[joeybee12]

43. Great news...now enjoy the weekend!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

47. Thank you, my dear joeybee! You know I will enjoy it!

[csziggy]

44. WooHoo, indeed, CaliforniaPeggy!

Now the hard work begins - the PT. But you know I'm sure, that the PT is as important as the fix.

It's great that you can shower now - I know how frustrating it is to have to have help for the simple things like that!

Be careful with it meanwhile!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

48. Oh thank you, my dear csziggy...

I am being careful and you know it!

I am actually looking forward to the PT......I must be crazy!

[csziggy]

55. No, you're not crazy - physical therapy is great!

I remember after my first shoulder surgery how great it was to be able to move my arm! I'd gone for eight months before the surgery without being able to lift that elbow more than a few inches. Then for over a month after the surgery it was immobilized.

So when I got out of the strapping, it was great to go to PT and start moving the arm. It took months, but by the time the physical terrorists were done with me, that shoulder was 99.9% and it has stayed strong.

Every single physical therapist I've ever had has bee wonderful and I truly appreciate everything they did for me - and that they forced me to do for myself.

[trof]

45. I'll lend you my barbells.

On second thought, maybe I'll just send you my bar bills.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

49. Oh, thank you, my dear trof, but please keep your bar bills!

[trof]

51. It was worth a shot. Pun intended.

[intaglio]

46. Great, and I am especially glad

that you "can shower and wash my hair!"

It was starting to get noticable even over the Pond!!!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

50. Haha, my dear intaglio!

Even sponge bathing works!

[niyad]

52. glad to hear the good news, peggy. healing energies coming as long as needed.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

53. Thanks for those, my dear niyad! I may need them awhile yet!

[trof]

54. Oh yeah, orthopedic 'doctors' are usually referred to as 'orthopedists'.

OK, I tried not to but I just couldn't resist.

[cal04]

57. Great news!

Enjoy your weekend!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

58. I will, my dear cal04, and thanks!

[DFW]

59. What "Simple exercises?"

As long as they don't include discus throwing, javelin throwing or pole vaulting, I guess you should be OK.....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

61. Ah, my dear DFW!

They are truly very simple.

The first one involves squeezing firmly the rubber ball that is attached to the end of my immobilizer/sling. I've decided to do 10 reps every hour I'm awake. Over the next three weeks, that will help.

The second exercise has me bending my arm up from the elbow towards my shoulder. I am doing the same numbers with this one.

I don't plan on doing any of the exercises you mentioned!

[DFW]

63. That sounds a little more modest

So, I guess I approve.......

[CaliforniaPeggy]

64. I TOLD you they were simple!

And besides, my doctor wants me to do them.

So, I'm doing them!

[lunatica]

60. That is excellent news!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

62. Thank you so much, my dear lunatica...and I agree! :)

[Scuba]

65. Good on you Peggy!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

69. Thank you so much, my dear Scuba! :)

[pinboy3niner]

66. Yay! You'll be back on the pitching mound in no time! :)

Remind me not to arm wrestle you when you regain full function.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

70. Ah, my dear pinboy3niner!

WHAT pitching mound??? I haven't pitched a softball since the sixth grade!

And you have no reason to not arm wrestle me....this is my LEFT arm, silly! I am right handed!

Thanks for the chuckle, sweetie...

[TBF]

68. Glad things are going well Peggy -

I don't always comment but I do read these updates and also those about WC Green

[CaliforniaPeggy]

71. Well, my dear TBF!

I'm glad you decided to comment today. I always appreciate knowing who's lurking!

Thanks for your good thoughts, both for Chris and myself...It means a lot.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

72. very good!!

Being able to shower and wash your hair is a Good Thing!

Ooooh, get yourself some Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap and really enjoy yourself!

[pinboy3niner]

73. Better yet, she should definitely get tag team bed baths

I have that on the best authority.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

74. LoL! yes, The Best!

gee, I wouldn't mind some tag team bed bath myself....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

77. Those ARE good things, my dear BlancheSplanchnik! Thank you for your good thoughts!

I just had my first shower and wow!

How strange and good it felt.

[sueh]

75. Yay! Another step in the right direction. I'm so glad that you're recovery is going so well!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

78. Thank you, my dear sueh...I'm glad too!

[Kali]

76. good news, Peggy! but...

I am going to kick your ass with my coming home story!

have some work to do, and my internet has been wacky (rain! YAY!) so it will be a little later today but stay tuned.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

79. I look forward to having you kick my ass with your coming home story, dear Kali!

Wait! Isn't that Skittles' job???

I look forward to reading it!

[Kali]

80. oh yeah, real DU ass-kicking is her job LOL

it is just that my story is a bit more...uh...dramatic? ...than yours.

[pinboy3niner]

82. You're going to face a tough audience after the monkeys and the cabana

Good luck!

[LoisB]

81. Great news!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

83. Thanks! n/t

[DirkGently]

84. Excellent. Please continue to heal. n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

86. Thanks, my dear DirkGently! Believe me, I AM! n/t

[pinboy3niner]

85. This thread is no good without pictures!!!

Just kidding.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

89. Well, you asked for it, and now you've got one! Hot off the press!

This IS how I look these days: no lipstick, no jewelry, hair barely combed......brace on! Enjoy, sweetie... No idea why it didn't focus. Oh well.

[pinboy3niner]

92. Looking good!

And you're even holding a camera! Brace doesn't show, but I'll take your word for it. And I think the focus was blurry because you're just too sharp for a camera to capture.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

93. Thanks! I think I look dreadful, lol!

The brace is on my left arm, which is on the left side of the picture, since I took it via the bathroom mirror. I couldn't hold up the camera 'cause the brace stops me from doing that, so I had to guess where to aim!

Too sharp? Ha! Thanks.

[Half-Century Man]

87. Nice to hear.

Just: no matter how tempting an idea, put off bungee jumping for at least 3 weeks.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

90. Thank you, my dear Half-Century Man!

Bungee jump? How about never?

[Half-Century Man]

95. If you are into breezy, bungee can't be beat.

[joanbarnes]

88. I wish you a speedy recovery

[CaliforniaPeggy]

91. Thank you, my dear joanbarnes! So far, so good!

[emsimon33]

94. Great news! More healing vibes coming your way!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

96. Thank you, my dear emsimon33! I can use those vibes!

[mythology]

97. That's better than the last time I saw an orthopedic doctor

Her exact words were "Your knee is interesting". Not what you want to hear from a doctor.

I'm glad your recovery is proceeding as expected.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

98. I hope your knee got better, my dear mythology!

I agree, "interesting" is not what you want your doctor saying.

[steve2470]

100. feeling 100% yet Peggy ? nt

[SoapBox]

101. Hi Ms. Peggy...

I've been following the surgery adventure here...hope all is well and that "therapy" has gone well.

p.s...NOW (after I just double checked), had to say that I've been waiting to post (close to two weeks or so...I think) my 8,000th post. I felt you deserved it for all the pleasant posts you deliver to us.

Now...I can resume my usually snarkatude...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

103. Congrats on your 8000 posts, my dear SoapBox!

Here's to many, many more...

And thank you for giving that very special post to me.

[SoapBox]

104. It is my absolute pleasure.

[bench scientist]

102. Great news CP!

Glad you aren't in a lot of pain.
Hope the PT goes well.
Take care of yourself , we need you around here !

bench

[Algernon Moncrieff]

105. Glad to hear all is on the mend