• On Life and Love

    I swam!

    Physical therapy has been progressing nicely. I’ve “passed” all my flexibility/range of motion requirements, and am focusing pretty heavily on strength while making sure not to lose the flexibility. I saw the surgeon Tuesday for a check-in, and they were a little disappointed at my strength at this point in my recovery. September 13 was the 3-month mark for the surgery, though, which is when I’m supposed to be clear to resume some more interesting exercise. With surgeon and PT approval, I’m doing so. I’m taking things quite slowly, because if I do anything off-hours that leaves me too sore to move (or worse, injured!), then my PT work will…

  • On Life and Love

    Moar PT

    Halp. They keep adding exercises, but not taking any away. O_O My current routine takes about 45 minutes, and I do it three times a day. Forty-five minutes. Pendulums (I like front/back and side-to-side better than circular, but I do them all) Table slides (1×10 at two angles) Pulleys (1×10 at two angles) Single-side shoulder blade pinch External rotation stretch (1×15; done lying down with a cane) Lying cane raises (1×15) Isometric flexion (1×10) Isometric extension (1×10) More pendulums Each of those (sans the pendulums) has a 5-10 second hold on it. If not for audiobooks and kick-ass music, I’d probably be tempted to shortcut some of this. Which would…

  • On Life and Love

    First PT Appointment!

    I’m a little late starting PT, as I mentioned before, but this morning’s session went well. The therapist had me lie down and relax as she gently wiggled my arm away from my body in different directions. I was impressed that my arm could get as high as it did after being in one position for seven weeks.

  • On Life and Love

    Feeling Better… With Holes in My Shoulder

    Shoulder surgery happened on June 13 (a little over five weeks ago). This whole process has been… fascinating. The surgical morning itself had that weird fast-slow sensation to it: it felt like the waiting was forever, and then suddenly I was getting wheeled back and drawn on and poked and suddenly I was waking up and couldn’t breathe and coughing and then waiting… again. In one of the waiting phases, I did an awesomely helpful meditation with PUUC‘s Rev Robin. I went into surgery nice and calm, and everyone was pleased and surprised at my cheery demeanor afterwards. Aside from occasional whining, my mood remains pretty cheerful, despite some miscommunications…