Wednesday, June 8, 2011

28 days later ...

Four weeks ago today, I got a brand-spanking new shoulder, held together by artificial stitches. My doctor says that I am progressing nicely and has given me allowance to do whatever doesn't make me uncomfortable.

In my opinion, I am somewhere between 60-70% recovered. Most of the time, due to my "I can do everything" mentality, I consider myself to be 100%, only to have that proven otherwise with a painful stab to the shoulder. I'm trying to take it easy. I'm trying not to do too much.

Over the past four weeks, I have some huge successes and some total failures. Here's where I stand as of today:

Successes:
  • I have returned to training. Since 5/22, I have run 39.38 miles and biked 183.76 miles. I feel like I am slowly getting back to where I want to be.
  • I ran a 5K, in a sling, and finished 6th in my age group. I am bada**.
  • I can do a lot for myself. Four weeks ago, I couldn't change my shirt. Now I can do my own hair.
  • I finally dropped the five pounds I have been holding onto FOREVER. Apparently, pain and trauma kill your appetite.
  • I have proven to my kids that things don't always go as planned and when they don't, you have to find a way to bounce back.
  • I have accepted help, which is HUGE for me.

Failures:
  • I am still not even close to pain free. Most everything causes some level of discomfort (FYI: Running is not painful if I stabilize my arm). The worst things are driving, changing diapers, folding laundry, cutting up food and fixing the girls' hair. However, I am fortunate to have an extremely high tolerance for pain.
  • Getting dressed is still a challenge. If the material is not stretchy enough, I get stuck in my clothes. It is much easier to get dressed than it is to get undressed.
  • I can not do 90% of the ab exercises in Ab Ripper X. Obviously, this isn't important, but it made me withdrawal from the Posse's ab challenge.
  • I can not lift my arm above my head. And you don't realize how often you lift your arm over your head, until you can't.
  • I can not put pressure on my shoulder. I have to sleep on my back with my arm propped up.
  • I can not support weight on my arm (think standing up, push ups, etc.)
I've come pretty far, but I've got a long way to go ...

19 comments:

gba_gf said...

you're doing great... and have handled this with the grace I have come to expect from all things TMB.

And BTW - the next Ab Gauntlet is yours to throw down, I fully expect that you'll up the ante somehow when the time comes and that we'll all be miserable and cursing your name. So just enjoy watching us suffer for the next 4 -5 weeks... you'll get yours.

Running Ricig said...

You're doing awesome and totally on your way to back in action! Good luck!

Kortni said...

I think your recovery has been amazing... a true testament to your mental and physical willpower. I know you will be 100% better than before the injury soon!!

Meg said...

Recovery sucks, but it sounds like you're making a good comeback!

MCM Mama said...

You've come a long way amazingly fast. Before long this will all be just a memory.

Keep up the good healing. ;o)

Jessica (Pace of Me) said...

i agree - your recovery has been truly inspiring and you are amazing! recovery is not an easy game - you know you are making tons of progress but it is HARD WORK and takes dedication, perseverance and patience. you are incredible. keep on keepin' on!!! we are all here cheering for you!!

Marlene said...

Those are not "failures" because you are not failing in any way, shape or form - those are just obstacles that you still need to overcome, and you will!

I remember not being able to lift my arm above my head. Hated it!

Keep healing!!!

Unknown said...

You know how I feel ... you're such a "BAD-ASS*! So inspiring!

Take care of yourself and try not to over do it!

Cheering you on all the way ...

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Jen said...

Dude... you just had surgery... you are BEYOND BA... it takes time to heal... but you ARE rockin it.

Patience... it is a virtue that I lack... but I am hoping you are getting your full share of it.

Unknown said...

You are doing amazing. And, I think if anybody else is present, you should let them change the diapers and do the laundry...

Runners Fuel said...

You're making great progress!

Elle said...

I think you are doing very well. Do take care of yourself. :)

Susan Tirch said...

I'm almost a year out from my accident and although our situations are different, I'm amazed by what you are doing! Keep up the good work and take care of yourself!

Aimee said...

You are making such great progress and before you know it, you will be back to normal!!

Earth Momma Mer said...

I wouldn't be on my sub 10 pace journey if it wasn't for you. You wouldn't be on your recovery journey if it wasn't for me. So, we'll call it even. :) Keep up the hard work. Listen to your body and that 70.3 will be here faster than you think.

Rene' said...

T...you are doing awesome, I mean seriously didn't you do that 5K like 20 days after your surgery in a sling. You Rock....
and as far as the ab gauntlet goes please don't kill us...Tony is killing me now:)

ajh said...

You are amazing. You can do so much but I am sure you are very frustrated by what you can't do. My cousin couldn't lift her arm for awhile after surgery and needed totally different clothes for awhile.

Unknown said...

4 weeks and a lot of progress. In another 4 weeks, you'll be leaps and bounds ahead of where you are now! :)

Keep smiling and staying positive!

Anonymous said...

Sorry you are still having pain, You def are a BADA**! Seriously nice training month. I had thought you would be taking it easy!