Surviving Shoulder Surgery: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
I am nearing the end of my first round of post-op physical therapy. Physical therapy, or PT as most call it, stands for pain and torture. I have been working endlessly with my therapist and at home to regain range of motion and strength.
Unfortunately, my doctor thinks I am not as far along as he would like. I think some of this has to do with the 4 weeks after my surgery that I waited for the worker's comp company to approve my physical therapy. I could be 4 weeks ahead by now.
So, he gave me this ultimatum......
Steroids (ugh and my face is so puffy......and I am so thirsty)
Another round of physical therapy
And if I'm not where he wants me by next visit, in one month, they are going to put me back under anesthesia and manually manipulate the joint breaking down all the scar tissue and adhesions.
I can't talk about it without getting nauseous.
Meanwhile, my therapist has moved me from 1.5 hour to 2 hour sessions. I believe she's only getting paid for 1 hour. She started me on weights and I am regularly getting muscle fatigue...haha. She then transforms herself from nice, fun Vanessa to "not nice at ALL, Vanessa" and tries to get me to twist off the treatment table at the end of every session. There are tears. I have a feeling there are far fewer tears than there would be with a manual manipulation procedure.
So, for 6 or 7 more weeks...........wish me luck!
Unfortunately, my doctor thinks I am not as far along as he would like. I think some of this has to do with the 4 weeks after my surgery that I waited for the worker's comp company to approve my physical therapy. I could be 4 weeks ahead by now.
So, he gave me this ultimatum......
Steroids (ugh and my face is so puffy......and I am so thirsty)
Another round of physical therapy
And if I'm not where he wants me by next visit, in one month, they are going to put me back under anesthesia and manually manipulate the joint breaking down all the scar tissue and adhesions.
I can't talk about it without getting nauseous.
Meanwhile, my therapist has moved me from 1.5 hour to 2 hour sessions. I believe she's only getting paid for 1 hour. She started me on weights and I am regularly getting muscle fatigue...haha. She then transforms herself from nice, fun Vanessa to "not nice at ALL, Vanessa" and tries to get me to twist off the treatment table at the end of every session. There are tears. I have a feeling there are far fewer tears than there would be with a manual manipulation procedure.
So, for 6 or 7 more weeks...........wish me luck!
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| I do these. Every day. Here's the problem with this lady.....she is SMILING. This is false representation. She doesn't have a hurt shoulder if she is smiling when she does these. |
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| I also do these every day. However, I am way cooler because I do them with a golf club. This guy looks more realistic but he should really look more like this next guy.... |
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This is what I look like when doing all my exercises! Except not with a hairy chest.
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| And I do these while crying. This lady should be crying. She's not really hurt either. Maybe I should make some PT videos or take some photos. I could show people how it really is. And they will run screaming. |
The post has me squirming and as you say, all of these people are unnaturally happy about being tortured! I hope you are treating yourself to nice things like drinky drinks, chocolate cakes, and new shoes in consolation for your pain and suffering! I know I would be.
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