February 4, 2020, right before COVID began to spread, I had surgery for a total reverse shoulder replacement.
Already bionic, now even more so.
That tendon had probably been tearing over several years. A cortisone shot the November before didn’t faze the pain. Much of the time I could find no relief from that awful ache, except when unconscious. I wore shawls and capes–no sleeves to struggle into.
Considered “elective,” these surgeries were soon canceled because of COVID. I’m thankful because my right shoulder was miserable. The physical therapy was arduous but the constant pain was gone.
With the virus lurking, my Favorite Guy didn’t want me out and about, so he took over the grocery shopping. Would you believe, I haven’t gotten groceries since? He discovered that it’s much quicker if I’m not along. And he rarely calls from the store to ask about something on the list.
Six years later, there are reaches and movements my right arm cannot master, but it’s so useful when putting a dish in the oven. And stirring and chopping, which I can do pretty well but even those need breaks. I can reach above my head but cannot lift things very high, and my left hand needs to brush the back of my hair. I’m not to lift over 30 pounds, but it’s such a delight to be able to do normal things.
Thank God for surgeons, for physical therapists, for *Karo Syrup ice packs, and for my Faithful Guy.
Here’s my original story about the surgery.
* The nurses in the hospital told Guy to have Karo Syrup ice packs ready for when I got home. It’s a layer of Karo Syrup in a gallon Ziploc, then tucked inside another the same size. We still keep three in the freezer. It draped over my shoulder and wasn’t as cold and hard as regular ice. We’ve used them since then for other miseries.