Well Crap!

[Hank70SS]

Saw the doc today to get the results of the MRI on my shoulder. Not what I was hoping for but close to what I expected. As the doc explained:

There are 4 muscles that wrap over the shoulder and down that form the rotator cuff. The 4 muscles work together to move your arm up, down, front, back, etc. The primary/main muscle has a partial tear. Oh wait, there are 2 tendons coming off the top of the bicep muscle. Two tendons is why it's called the bicep. Well one of those, as he said is frayed. Guess that's why I wake up in the middle of the night with pain in my shoulder and arm.

He specializes in pelvis, hips and knees and said he didn't want to do my shoulder and would recommend a ortho surgeon that does. He said they might not do surgery but his guess was that they would based on reading the MRI report. He Said:

I'll have my staff set you up with an appointment to see him and give them all the info. They'll probably get an appointment for the end of the month or January. While they're doing that I'll call him and should be able to get you in next week.

He was right, the office girls got off the phone and said you have appointment on the 21st. Dr. Colin walked up at the same time and said "No, he has an appointment for 1:30 tomorrow. Call them back and make sure everything is all set." That was pretty cool of him to do that, now I don't have to wait until next year to get this fixed.

Moral of the story, be careful. Been up and down that extension ladder more times than I can count. Take your time, think about what you're doing and be safe. Whether it's a ladder, working under your Chevelle, whatever. It only takes one time to really change or even worse, end your life. I've been dealing with this and basically lost almost 4 months of my life and it's not done yet. And I was lucky, it could have been a lot worse. I'll get through this and I'll be fine. Just think and take your time. We've all done dumb things. Until it really impacts you, you forget about it and are likely to do it again. Next time you might not be so lucky.

[SS Shaun]

wow dude thats crazy! i just learned my lesson on the 11th about not wearing safety glasses. i was working at my job running a cable and a piece of ceiling tile fell in my eye and really messed me up! from now on i wear safety glasses on pretty much everything i do now!

[flash]

Hank, hang in there and you will be good as new soon .I agree with being careful with ladders or whatever youre working with as one mistake can be fatal. A very good friend of mine was cleaning his gutters preparing for a Chevelle Club gathering 1 1/2 years ago and fell to his death .Instead of a club gathering it became a very tough funeral with a Final Cruise with all his car buddies doing the Last Cruise with him.I miss my buddy Butch every day and wish he was still here with us so everyone be careful we need you all.

[Rank]

you know muscle tears can repair themselves .... is this not the case? I find alot of times doctors are "cut happy" when in the natural scheme of things the body can do wonders repairing itself.

[earthquake68]

I've been a metal fabricator/auto tech for most of my life. Gloves when working with sharp metal. Safety glasses when I work with most anything else. Jack stands under a car before I crawl under it.

I've had more metal dug out of my eye, more stitches in my hands and limbs hit with heavy metal objects, that I just tend to watch my arse these days.

My mother used to say I was stubborn and had to learn things the hard way. Pfft. I guess I showed her!

[Ms Grumpy]

Hank, I hope that the doctor tomorrow gives you the answers that you need. Please let us know what happens. I hope that you feel better soon.

[Hank70SS]

Originally Posted by Rank

you know muscle tears can repair themselves .... is this not the case? I find alot of times doctors are "cut happy" when in the natural scheme of things the body can do wonders repairing itself.

Surgery is just a guess on the other docs part, won't know for sure until tomorrow what they recommend. I hear what you're saying but I've had 6 weeks of therapy, 3 times a week, on my shoulder and it hasn't really improved. Not any worse but still will wake up in the middle of the night and it's now been 3 and half months since it happened. The pelvis guy is definitely not cut happy. Everyone, nurses, other docs, etc. all assumed I had surgery on it but the doc said he didn't want to and didn't think it was necessary, and he was right. Hopefully the shoulder guy has the same attitude and won't suggest surgery unless it's absolutely necessary.

Anyway, glad you all recognize the need to think and be safe before you start something potentially dangerous.

[shadowgray396]

Hank, I hope you get some good news tomorrow and you at least know what your next move is to your road to getting well and ready for a great summer.

Ray

[FlintTony]

Good luck today Hank. I hope it goes smooth.

[Ray Barnes]

Originally Posted by Hank70SS

Surgery is just a guess on the other docs part, won't know for sure until tomorrow what they recommend. I hear what you're saying but I've had 6 weeks of therapy, 3 times a week, on my shoulder and it hasn't really improved. Not any worse but still will wake up in the middle of the night and it's now been 3 and half months since it happened. The pelvis guy is definitely not cut happy. Everyone, nurses, other docs, etc. all assumed I had surgery on it but the doc said he didn't want to and didn't think it was necessary, and he was right. Hopefully the shoulder guy has the same attitude and won't suggest surgery unless it's absolutely necessary.

Anyway, glad you all recognize the need to think and be safe before you start something potentially dangerous.

Where was your advice when I was operating that tractor...oh wait, the advice should have been... don't get married, then you dont have to wear a ring on that finger