Frustrated!!! UPDATED 9/14 Been over 2 weeks since surgery, and my left arm just burns like hell, and is only about 15% strength right now. Not sure how long this process will take and how much recovery I can expect, but I'm very frustrated thus far. I can't even hold my bow up, let alone consider shooting it. Not sure how soon I'll be clear to go back to work, which in all honesty is actually very frustrating, and I would have been bound for Colorado almost arrived a week from today had that dive never happened!!! I don't even feel like drinking!!!
Doug, your recovery is going to be a process that is filled with a lot of ups and downs. Train yourself to understand and accept that and your recovery will be a lot easier mentally. I had two major knee surgeries in college. Each injury took me 9 months to completely recover. I had to develop a certain mindset, one that was counter to my normal "get it done quickly!" mindset. You are going to recover. Do not let up on even the small things the doctors told you to do. If they told you to ice 5 times a day, do it. Do not let up even if you are feeling better one afternoon. If they told you to do the rehab exercises in a certain order, follow that order. BEST of luck to you Doug. I am rooting for you.
UPDATE: Saw the Dr. yesterday, fusion looks good, I'm allowed to drive again!!! (Almost like being parolled!!!) Left arm has about 25% function, but IS slowly improving, but all signs are pointing towards a recovery, however SLOW they may seem. I can return to work in 2 weeks, after a couple weeks of PT to learn some exercises, stretches, etc. to help regain function and strength in the arm. Damn this is a frustrating thing..... Shoulda been arriving in Colorado today to be in the mountains all ready for the opener tomorrow!!!!! Sorry Josh!!! Maybe I'll not screw this up next year.....Even if I go as an observer, I WILL be in the mountains NEXT YEAR!!!
Don't sweat it, Doug. This just gives us an extra 12 months of planning. Like I said, I 'll be out at the cabin soon and I'll definitely swing by and launch a few arrows at your targets.... just to keep 'em fresh and all . Glad to hear the good news on the healing process!!
Follow the Dr and Physical Therapist's guidance. My rotator cuff w/slap lesion took 9 months to recover as far as it was going to. Accept it is going to take time, and it won't be so rough. Accept there is nothing you can do but follow orders from the professionals that know best and it will go easier. Get through this and next year's hunt will be that much sweeter.
Doug my recovery was very slow at first, like I said a while back I had to teach myself to walk again.. it was was a "beach" early on, stay determined and positive. It takes a good bit of time for nerves to rebuild and heal...
I hear ya Troy, I sent you a PM but the return PM just had my message..... I think I'm a little better today than yesterday, hopefully this can be a trend...... I was able to finesse my hands into a tiny little quad and pull the carb and air cleaner assembly out today so I can go and get some choke & Carb cleaner to get it cleaned up to get the little thing running better.... My 4 yr. old gets tired of having to "toy with the choke" (yes, I said my 4yr old and "toying with the choke") so I pulled the carb so we can get it cleaned and get her running around the yard better with less "toying." :D I know I'm really very lucky, but I sometimes take it for granted, especially on days like this when had that fabled dive never happened, I'd be somewhere sitting around a campfire in central Colorado hoping to track down an elk in the morning!!! Thanks for the prayers and "get well" wishes guys, they ARE uplifting.
After a week of PT, actually 4 days, I can again raise my arm over my head, and do a full shoulder rotation, and though it hurts, I CAN do it. Gaining strength slowly but surely, I'd guestimate that the arm is about 35-40% strength, stronger in some areas, and a little weaker in others. Yesterday's PT session left me SORE, but at least I can be SORE!!!! This is going to be a long recovery but I'm encouraged by the therapists saying they HONESTLY believe I should get ALL of my strength and range of motion back.
UPDATE.... First night back to work last night, followed by physical therapy this morning. Went pretty well, I now have about 75-80% range of motion in the shoulder, though it is weak, it is much improved. Strength is still only about 40%, but better strength, AND range of motion is a great improvement. I picked up a telescopic shooting stick, and I think I may be able to shoot my Tomkat that I got back from my nephew who decided he doesn't want to shoot/hunt, and at 28" (I'm dropping an inch because my left arm has considerable issues), and 45#, using the shooting stick to help stabilize the left arm, I think I may be able to shoot in another 10-14 days if I keep improving. I can draw my wife's bow which is set at 25" and 42#, albeit slightly challenging, I can do it 8-10 times before it becomes uncomfortable. Hopefully, I will be able to get up and running with the Tomkat, get it BH tuned, and maybe be able to hunt in the next month.... The pain seems better today than in previous days, and I feel ( or HOPE!!!) like I'm starting to turn a corner....
