Surgery Ahead

When I think of pain I think how crippling I have seen people, including myself, when the physical pain is intense. It started when I awoke last Saturday morning with terrible pain in my right shoulder and by bed time I was in tears.

I have arthritis in both shoulders. I get cortisone shots every three months like clock work. But one cannot keep doing this. Lately the clockwork is sort of like "Old Faithful". It use to be that "Old Faithful" would erupt on the hour every hour. That is no longer true and now it is a best guesstimate.

I took the meds but they only dulled the pain somewhat. Sunday morning I was drugged with pain meds and it was still intense. I ended up in Larry's (my Dr.) office. He shot me up again but gave me an appointment to see an orthopedic surgeon. Fortunately there doesn't seem to be torn, but the area needs scrapping (surgery) and the recovery will take 4 - 6 weeks. That sounds a lot like more than a scrapping and more pain.

I lay awake last night kicking myself for not asking more questions. I think I was in denial. I called Larry again today to get another referral for a second opinion. He hasn't called back yet. I left word for the Dr. I saw yesterday to call me back as I have a lot of questions to ask.

If I have to have it to get relief I will 'cause what I am going through right now is not pleasant. The cortisone has taken the edge off the pain, but the constant aching is driving me nuts. I am planning to wait until January after I retire. My wife will have surgery in mid December for corporal tunnel, tendon release of the elbow and trigger finger on the right arm, wrist and hand.

This growing old business of a bunch of crap!!!!!!!!!!!