http://bluefaqs.com/2010/08/50-remarkable-black-and-white-images-of-people/

I don’t know how many of you can remember when space missions were a big deal; how back in the 60’s people really did stop what they were doing to watch a lift-off or landing. “T-minus” referred to the time remaining until the launch. Yesterday was T-minus four days until my surgery.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countdown

In addition to my physical therapy practice in Rochester, NY and my seminar business, my wife and I are active home re-modelers. When I say “active”, I mean we tear off and replace roofs, rebuild rotten porches, etc., all on our 165 year old home. Lots of work, but we enjoy doing the hands-on piece ourselves (OK, my wife was not fond of the roof project!). In the course of these projects, as well as the 50-plus years of activity/stupidity prior to that, I have not been the kindest to my shoulder. After receiving treatment, self-treatment, and whining a lot, I finally sought help. Using K-tape helped marginally and self-MFR actually made the pain worse. A cortisone shot helped for a week or so, but then it was time for an MRI. One panic attack later (that MRI tube is REALLY small and I found out I am REALLY claustrophobic)), my torn infraspinatus and supraspinatus muscles showed their ugly heads.

http://blog.remakehealth.com/blog_Healthcare_Consumers-0/bid/7586/CT-Scan-and-Claustrophobia

Blogs exist for a variety of reasons, many of which are simply because people (like me) feel we have something important to say. Important or not, I am going to write about my experience, pre- and post-surgery. Many in my field feel surgery is not needed if one seeks appropriate hands-on treatment or takes the proper supplement. Oh, well, then I am a failure.

Approximately five days before surgery, one must stop all medications which can thin the blood (Advil had been my savior up to that point). Sunday night was the cut-off point for me and I truly understood the feeling of not sleeping due to pain. Celebrex was prescribed the next day and I slept a bit better last night. (Is Celebrex Latin for celebrate?) What is it about this sort of shoulder tear that you feel the most pain when you lay down at night? It was explained to my by my surgeon,  but it is a real major problem. (Did I mention I was a bit whiny?) “Sleep on a wedge to take the pressure off of the shoulder” (Real message: “Sleep on a wedge so you end up curled in a ball at the foot of the bed”). I can deal with lack of sleep for a few more days. What choice do I have?

So, T-minus four days was a Celebrex day.

For now,

Walt Fritz, PT

Author: Walt Fritz