I can sympathize totally. I had this done back in 2001 and only had 2 months before I got sent back to work. :( :thumbdown: After my surgery, the Doc came in and said he had good news and bad news. :shock: Of course I asked for the bad first....he said that since I'm so thin and "small framed" that he hit the bicep tendon on the way in to fix the torn rotator cuff. (I now have a permanent disability of not lifting over 30 lbs or raising my arm above shoulder height). The good news was that he fixed both problems...???

Yes the pain was awful, but as stated before...physical therapy does wonders. Just take pain meds about 1/2 hour before you go...and don't let them "man-handle" you to force you into extreme pain. (had that done and made some other problems) As long as things were fixed properly, you will be better in no time as the pain meds should help you sleep and lots of books, magazines, and us will pass the time quickly. Healing hugs and p's coming your way. :D

I noticed many of you have re-injured your original injury or medical problem & have had repeated surgeries. Also, some have several joints/injuries & it makes it rough to do most anything. Prob the most missed part of our days is in our sewing rooms/areas & the time we're used to getting to plan & make quilts & lots of other things. Please add me & others to your prayer lists. I had back surgery in 98 & have re-injured it several times. The last time was not long before my bilateral total knee replacements in 09. I had a couple of pretty good weeks, then the back problems has thrown me way behind. If there are any of you who have worked yourself into a frenzy forever, you know what I'm talking about with pain & anxiety from trying to adjust to a slower pace of living. It is so frustrating to look at the stacks & boxes of fabric I have on a table, bookshelves & in stacked plastic containers. I'm determined though not to have another back surgery, unless it's absolutely necessary. I know people who have hardware in their backs & that has to be so devastating. I empathize with any & all of you here on the Board, who are in pain. Stay strong, we'll get through it together.

Hope you get better real soon. If it were me I be going crazy not quilting.

Dolly Rose.....I'd like to pass on a tip someone gave me as I was starting my rehab after my rotator surgery. Buy yourself a set of over-the-door- pulleys. (Not overly expensive) The therapist will likely have you use them when you go for your sessions, but that will likely be only a few times a week. If you have your own, you can use it every day...several times a day even. I am convinced that this is what helped me most in getting my range of motion back to 99%.

Hugs

Patti

Who said you cannot do another part of sewing, like looking, dreaming, planning, revising, taking time off (oh yea, you are already doing that). There are a lot of things sewing related to get into.

I used the over the door pulley but the tissue tore out again anyway. I now have a pill and a pain patch I HAVE TO WEAR 12 HOUR In a month I will have a shoulder replacement.most people don't have this problem

I used the over the door pulley but the tissue tore out again anyway. I now have a pill and a pain patch I HAVE TO WEAR 12 HOUR In a month I will have a shoulder replacement.most people don't have this problem

I am so sorry to hear you had that happen. It isn't fun to have to do a re-fix. :( I hope this fix works for you and you don't have anymore problems.

Patti

thanks for all of your good wishes! things are coming along, slow, but at least in the right direction. I ran the vacuum around yesterday with my left arm and had my right arm go along for the passive movement and I over did it. paying for it today... pain meds are no help and the lack of sleep is starting to wear away at my 'instant gratification' self. today I'm wandering in and out of my sewing room trying to find a small project to do that requires minimal right hand involvement ;) I may have to fall back to reading ACLS/PALS and trauma nurse books...

I read a ton of quilting books and patterns to get motivated for when I could start sewing again. I also picked up a bunch of the Elm Creek Quilters books from the Library and read those. I would come in here to my sewing room and run my fingers over some of my fabrics or just look at them. I pulled a few out to match up for a future project.
I got a ton of reading in. I still have to be careful when doing the actual quilting on my machine, I can do it for a little while, then need to take a break cause the shoulder starts to aching.
I have been told that I am a slow healer, both of my shoulders took longer to heal than they should have. I also ended up with an infection, which probably slowed down healing. I had them done 18 mos apart. I was not able to sew for nearly 4 mos when I had the left one done, with the right I have been able to do things sooner.
I think I also went 3 mos or more without a good nights sleep. It still hurts when I am sleeping!!!
I hope you heal up fast!!!