Day After Surgery...Life Throws Me A Loop

Morning After Surgery Shake

Sometimes life throws us a curveball, and all we can do is work our way through the challenge...That is my task starting today, the day after having surgery on my right shoulder and lower right arm/wrist.  Life in the land of the one armed king!  It does create some issues, adjustments and even some disappointments...and this is only day one. 

 

Washing dishes is a whole new and humorous set of job skills.  First, you have to take all the dishes out of the sink and line them up on the counter to be washed one by one.  Washing a glass...I use the drain to hold glass while I do the inside of the glass, then carefully lay glass on its side and roll it around with the sponge to wash the outside.  Lay sponge down pick up the glass and rinse.  One pan, three glasses and two cups, wipe down the counter...25 minutes.

 

I need to get some fresh air and exercise, so weather permitting going to try a little walk tomorrow...that is pretty straight forward, but going to miss the familiarity of my camera slung over my shoulder at the ready.

 

Good or bad, when you only have one arm life SLOWS DOWN.  Driving is out, there is no jumping in the car to run a quick errand...you have to make lists of what you need, and then find friends who can help you out by running errands for you, or driving you around.  Things like making my morning shake and a pot of coffee take time...good news...you appreciate it more, savor it because of the effort it took to create it.  So enjoyed my morning Isagenix shake today, poured it into a more decorative and festive glass, added a small sprig of mint...it tasted even better than usual because it took me serious effort to make it.

 

Day one of this great adventure as I adjust to living life for awhile as a one armed man...tomorrow I am looking forward to learning how to shower...not sure, but may have to put on a different shower head, one that is not stationary...have a feeling by the time I figure it all out that the shower is going to be the most enjoyable shower I have ever taken.  In the mean time, this evening going to attempt my first one handed evening meal...Ed was kind enough last night to bring me in a home cooked meal from his kitchen...friends are beautiful to have.

Having Surgery Next Week

Not exactly the day I was expecting to have today.  Had an appointment to get the results of my MRI from earlier in the week...the long and short of those results...surgery.

 

So, am now full throttle involved in the task of getting ready for the event, and the aftermath...

 

First problem...Not going to be allowed to drive, and even once I have been cleared, not sure I will be cleared to drive a stick...I have a five speed. 

 

Cooking is going to be another issue...like it or not, you just cannot slice veggies one handed...going to prepare pre-cut veggies on Monday for the first week of recovery, but after than, will have to get someone to come in and do that for me...for that matter, going to have to have someone running me to do errands, grocery shopping, follow up visits.  Surgery living alone I am quickly realizing presents a host of issues. 

 

Thinking I should place an emergency order with Isagenix for some of their meal bars...might be hard making shakes, and at least with meals bars I would have breakfast and lunch covered if I cannot get someone in to lend a hand.  Just another unplanned expense that I do do not need right now.  Someone in one of our Isagenix Facebook groups recommended I do two ounces of cleanse daily while recovering, so need to order that as well...need to check with my surgeon to make sure the cleanse would not interfere with any prescriptions I might have to have.

 

Called a few of my friends this afternoon...have a ride to and from the hospital, and people to check in on me for the first few days, so that is a good thing.  All in all, things are falling into shape, and dealing with the news fairly well.  WISH ME LUCK!