MUSHY'S MOOCHINGS: COPING

Thursday, March 08, 2007

COPING

I still have not slept in my bed since the operation (14 days) and it is really getting old. I have started trying it lately, but I only last a couple of hours, because gravity eventually pulls the shoulder down or over further than is comfortable and I wake up in pain. Then, it is back to the couch recliner (it is a Lazy Boy Bruno). There are five recliners in our set, but I can only sleep in the ones with the recliner handle on the left side, otherwise, without help I would flop around for days, like a dying fish, trying to get up!

However, it has not been entirely uncomfortable in the recliner, and I have discovered that what I am really missing is sleeping on my sides. I wake up with my tongue stuck like a dry piece of lifeless meat to the roof of my mouth. Only after fighting for my water glass and forcing down a swallow or two am I able to get everything lubricated and moving again!

In the posted photo you can see what the “before” looked like…the arrows point to bone deposits and spurs that had to be scraped away. Further back in the socket area the rotator cuff had to be repaired where it had begun to wear through. Other “after” photos show stitches where the repairs were made and muscle was tightened up.

I have heard that this is one of the most painful surgeries, but it has not been completely unbearable. Luckily, or unluckily, depending on how you look at it, I was in so much discomfort from the prostatitis infection and subsequent pressure on my bladder that I had little time to worry about the sharp momentary pains that emanated from my shoulder.

As you can see, I can now type with both hands, but the mouse has been placed in a lower position for comfort. I still brush left handed and still do the “Arab wipe,” although I have almost gone into a diagonal body cramp at times! Drying off is quite a feat, but I am doing better. The only real problem I have had is rising up under the towel rack and centering my shoulder with a whack that can only be described as a ball-peen hammer strike with conviction!

What is really wearing on me is that I have another full week of Cipro and alcohol is forbidden. I need a beer! I really need three beers!

12 comments:

FHB said...

Damn, that looks really painful. And you've only got one more week of pills? Hm. I'd say that's when the alcohol consumption should go up drastically.

I have some rainy day pills stashed away that I picked up on the sly while on a fishing trip to Canada. Got a few bottles of the stuff for a good friend who has arthritis really bad. Called A. C. and C. tabs. Some long word beginning with an A, like acetacylamenaphin, or something, plus caffeine and codeine. Supposedly the same as prescription strength Tylenol, only they don't make you tired. Apparently, they do the trick, but I've yet to give them a try.

Get well man.

BRUNO said...

You thought I would forget about the chair, didn't you? HA!

Admittedly, I WAS a bit curious, so to speak, about "the Arab wipe", but even I have a tiny-little bit of respect for someone in your current "situation"! Even though the "diagonal-cramp" position makes you "work for your rewards"!

I don't have any cure for "cotton-mouth", either! At least not one that wouldn't choke you in your sleep! And I will not suggest that you tape your mouth shut, either!(Beat ya' to that one, didn't I?)

Anonymous said...

Y'll right Mushy?

Just checking the word verification for Debbie at Right Truth. She's had trouble posting comments here for a couple of days now...

OK, out!

Michele said...

Glad you can now type with both hands; I'll just leave it at that! *L*

Les Becker said...

Hey, I'd sneak you a beer, if I thought you'd sneak me one... at least you only have a week left 'til you get yours! I may literally have to wait forever, and that is so not fair!

HottCops said...

I would *hate* not being able to sleep on my side. I don't do well on my back. My dreams all seem to be short and choppy when I sleep on my back.

Jose said...

Come on hurry up and get well fast. In the meantime being the good friend that I am and because I thik so highly of you, I'll go drind a beer or two in your behalf. Salud amigo!

Suldog said...

That's pretty grody stuff. Fascinating, though. I remember when they showed me photos of the inside of my knee, before and after arthroscopy, and it looked like some outer space landscape.

Get well soon! Won't help the inside of your mouth, but chapstick (or similar) will keeps your lips from drying out. Maybe you can spread some on your tongue somehow :-)

Erin said...

No BEER??? They are crazy people I tell ya!! It seems like you're coming along well though - although the towel rack thing sounded real painful. I literally cringed for you :)

Dana said...

That's got to suck, Mushy! I hate being sick or injured. You aren't being too whiney are you? LOL My husband is such a baby when he is sick.

Hope you heal up real fast there friend!

Marie said...

Can't your wife dry you off? I thought that was the sort of thing that fell into us womenfolks' department.

Joubert said...

Why no alcohol? That's so uncivilized. Are you still taking painkillers? Some of them dehydrate you - tongue sticking to roof of mouth etc. I know what you mean by longing to sleep on your side. Been there done that.