We're counting down now, just over a week to go. All kinds of details to get right and at the right time.
For example, I have a huge set of appointments ahead, from surgery to post doc visits to PT to an allowed dentist visit (wait 6 months or more!) I finished making the last of those new appointments this morning. Now all are written down on the new calendar, and it is finally hanging back on the hook where it belongs. This is our very special calendar, with large squares for every day with room to write on, and each month has a series of photos on it, family photos, taken by one family member who is always getting photos of the people whenever several or more collect. Need I say they are treasurers saved every year? We can look back and ask when did this person grow up or that one get so old, or did we not notice somebody becoming so tall or short? Occasionally we have to ask each other just who that person is, since we haven't seen them for a few years, or in one case, not since our commitment ceremony over a decade ago.
At any rate, I/we have no excuse for missing an appointment or double-booking something. Plus recycle weeks are marked, because it means hauling two huge bins curbside those weeks. My job of course.
All the doctors and dentist have been seen for the pre-surgery checks, the special soap before surgery is in the shower, foods that can be eaten with only one limb being needed are collected, a driver picked out for when I can't shop for more myself. I have an important question about that, however. It's winter. This one is a snowy/icy one. We both now have slip-over crampons for our shoes/boots to prevent slipping on ice. So far, so good. I have a well-practiced assistant for helping with dressing in things with sleeves. HOWEVER... once I'm in that sling for a month or more, just how the hell do I get in/out of my winter coat? And get it fastened around me so I can stay warm? I'll have to be out and about at least once a week, between docs and PT. Sure, we can have stuff delivered, or picked up for us in the case of grocery orders, but when I'm the "package" I plan on being warm! Waiting for the seasons to change is not one of my options.
But how, exactly?
I've solved the "how-do-I sleep?" problem. I haven't been able to lie flat in my bed for months, being a side sleeper who rolls from side (ouch) to side (ouch, prepare to ache awake) in my sleep. The solution has been my recliner, but that happens to have a lever to raise and drop both the foot rest and back, so it's in the needed positions without allowing pressure on the shoulders. A sling won't allow me to use that since it's on my "bad" side. However, the first piece of furniture in this house when we moved in was a red print recliner in the living room (not the family room with the TV). It has no lever. One can sit, and with a single hand on the chair arm, put the seat back with the feet up in a comfy position. My legs alone can put it in a position to stand up from. I just tried it to be sure. That room is cooler than where I sleep, but then again it's closer to the bathroom. Lose a little, gain a little. The polar fleece throw I sleep under is as portable as I am, and sweats plus heavy socks can make good winter PJs.
I was given a fat folder of paperwork when I visited my surgeon. I worked through the check-off to-do lists for well ahead of the procedure. I decided it was time to actually read the even fatter booklet on how to both prepare for and work with your newly replaced joint. Unfortunately, while a few very general statements are the kind that work for all, like getting an assist to the bathroom while you're still groggy after surgery, or discussing pain meds, everything else is for patients getting hips and knees replaced.
Uhhh, guys, how about shoulders? Eh? Eh? Anybody there? Are those chopped liver? My hips are fine, and both knees were replaced years ago. I graduated straight from a couple weeks on a walker to unassisted walking, no canes at all since I find them to be tripping hazards. Getting on/off the toilet, in/out of the tub we never use dos and don'ts, all are pretty pointless. Legs work, let me repeat, and grab bars are all over the place, just now for only one hand for a bit. My issues will still be range of motion, which I've done the "before" PT for, and strengthening arm muscles for after. So far I can be somewhat independent.
There are things I'll need Steve for however, like some of the hygiene and dressing ones, or learning how to work into hopefully full independence. Right now I can... with great reluctance ... reach the bad arm across to apply deodorant. Fresh after surgery? One hand can reach all my head for shampooing and brushing my short hair. After a shower a second good arm is needed to towel my back dry, and only on the best of good days does that work. The bidet is wonderful but not 100% of the job, and pulling up sweatpants in back with a snug elastic waistband can often require an extra tug. He can help where needed, and as a bonus knows exactly where my back itches and how hard to scratch... over the clothes to save the skin of course.
We have most of that figured out between us so far, in these months where my shoulder is only mostly out of commission, especially those without effective pain management, since I'm off NSAIDS and saving the heavy duty stuff for post-surgery. You can bet I'll ask for the best! I know how to wean myself off, have done it before several times, and have sturdy sharp knives for pill cutting to order - halves, thirds, quarters.
But all my remaining questions are completely unaddressed by the handouts. How often can I remove the sling - and "never" is not the right answer. Is it just a triangle or does it have special straps or stuff to keep it precisely in place? If so, how do I get it back on, and can I do it alone or will I need help? I've even figured out how I can drive one-handed, provided Steve is in the passenger seat. It'll be my right arm in the sling, and that hand will be able to hold the wheel still enough for a few seconds while the left hits the turn signal, for example. My passenger will need to work the center console controls, shift gears, buckle my seat belt and unbuckle it, pull the parking brake and release it, as well as work the wiper blades, or the temperature controls which he does now already so I can keep my eyes on the road. I'd just turn the car over to him, but it's been so long since he drove on snow/ice that he really doesn't want to, and my medical appointments won't take that into consideration. On dry pavement days, should we finally get any between surgery and March, he can have at it.
But hey, guys, doesn't anybody have a manual yet just for new shoulders?
Do I need to write it?
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