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.
I’m also going to be out of the sling for a few hours a day, starting today. Just around the house, but since it’s fine to let the shoulder hang now, they want it out.
Those exercises, though… Exhausting. I was clammy, a little light-headed, a little nauseated. Most of that was probably anxiety, but it made the at-home sessions today feel grueling.
Being out of the sling feels simply amazing. I’m not ready to pick anything up yet (or even scratch my nose without doubling over), but air all along the arm, the freedom to move the elbow, the natural weight pulling down–all awesome. Plus, I learned that the various pillows I’ve been sleeping with behind my arm are taller than they need to be, so I’ll be flattening that out.
As expected, sleeping without the sling is going to be one of the last things I do, but even that might be this upcoming weekend. Also as expected, I can’t drive until this thing is completely off. Sadly, though, I have to get surgeon approval–rather than PT approval–to drive. *little kid pout*
Therapy will be three times a week for the first two weeks to kickstart the range of motion work, then twice a week for a while. Greg was kind enough to drive me in this morning, but I’ve got my little 10-ride pass for the rest of this week and next.
When I asked about what I should be doing for my good-but-still-bendy shoulder, one of the things that came up was that I shouldn’t do military press. Like, ever. I can get just as good (and maybe better) shoulder strength results from anterior and lateral raises, and MP just isn’t worth the risk. Of course, it’ll be months before I can lift seriously anyway.
Fun times.
