Oct 6, 2006

Rotator Cuff

It seems that I have been very negligent about keeping all of you entertained over the past few months.  Sorry that I have been distracted; I just had shoulder surgery to repair a “slap” rotator cuff injury.  I don’t know what a “slap” injury is specifically, but I can tell you it was NOT given to me by my wife. 

 

Anyway, I have four holes in my shoulder, and am taking some very nice Oxycontin pills that make me feel fuzzy, but do keep the shoulder from hurting.  I also have to wear this really stupid looking foam wedge-sling thing; it keeps my right arm pointed out at a 90 degree angle to my body, just about waist level.  No one can figure out what I have my arm in… is it a sling?  A holster? Some sort of pack containing stolen goods?  Whenever I walk into a store, “Loss Prevention” is on me like Lindsay Lohan on a laxative margarita. 

 

The arm position has also caused me some grief with my wife and 21 year-old daughter, both of whom don’t appreciate a drugged-up man in pajamas, who is not sure of his arm clearance, walking around with a fist jammed out at bust-level.  I can assure you that I have tried my best to avoid “confrontations” with my wayward appendage, but accidents do happen. 

 

The only real cool thing about this mess is that the doctor told me that this is a typical surfer’s injury.  It is so cool that I have a surfing injury… it’s sort of like a fencer having a dueling scar on his cheek. 

 

I have three months of “light duty,” and then I should be strong enough to return to full duty, which for a detective is the same as light duty, except that you can lift the glazed donuts without assistance.  My sergeant has assured me that everything will go smoothly without me, I’m sure he is right…

 

time for more little white pills.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear from you. We now know you are funny looking...but safe! Tammy

Anonymous said...

I had given up on you.  What a nice surprise, finding an alert from your journal.

Anonymous said...

Good luck with recovery and the always-thrilling rehab. I've had a couple buddies go through that surgery. I can't imagine what a light-duty Detective would possibly do, but at least it gets you out of lifting body bags for awhile.

I'd mount a front sight on that sling and stalk the hallways. Start with those lazy School Resource Officers. They don't move real fast. I think it's the school lunches.

Anonymous said...

OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!

Been battling a few things of my own lately....but hey we are both tough.....no problem! lol

Anonymous said...

Awwww poor you .. hope you mend soon ...keep taking those little white pills.  Eve

Anonymous said...

I HOPE YOU HAVE A SPEEDY RECOVERY. I LOVE THOSE LITTLE WHITE PILLS, THEY KEPT ME SANE DURING CHEMO, SURGERIES AND ALL THE BONE PAIN I HAD AND STILL HAVE.
Cindy

Anonymous said...

Poor guy.....enjoy the oxycontin while they last.  In the immortal words of Arthur Spooner, "Save some for when you're better."  I love those shoulder immobilizers.  They always make me laugh............lol...........

Anonymous said...

Happy Healing!!  
Jackie

Anonymous said...

WOW!!!! Now I know why you haven't been on lately!!! Well I'll forgive you!!!!! Hope your shoulder gets better soon!!! http://journals.aol.com/shayshaydc/Golfaholic
Sharon:)

Anonymous said...

Hope you feel better soon. Bam
http://journals.aol.com/reconcilinglife/reconciling-life/

Anonymous said...

Nice to see you back!  You should be lifting donuts with both hands in no time.

Annie =)

Anonymous said...

Welcome back, Dave... I was wondering what happened to you. Glad to see that the surgery has not dampened your spirit, nor has it diluted your humor. Hope it heals well, and that your recovery will be complete. Got any pictures to post here? Either of you surfing or the 90 degree angle wedge-sling thing? I'm praying for your health and vitality to return soon. So, you get the doughnuts and the white pills. What a life! Finally, I missed your entries. Welcome back! Bea

Anonymous said...

By the way, Dave, I linked to this entry from my journal tonight... just so glad to have you back!!! Bea

http://journals.aol.com/bgilmore725/Wanderer/entries/2006/10/06/dave-is-back/1332

Anonymous said...

Glad to see your back, I love all your entries. My brother just had his rotator cuff operated on also, orthoscopically. He also was in alot of pain and wore a goofy sling thing..lol feel better soon!!
www.myspace.com/dragontatsonme

shannon

Anonymous said...

Dave hope your feeling better soon....enjoy the rest....I'll take foggy anyday these days,,,lol..although I will skip out on the arm pain...

~Raven

Anonymous said...

Bea sent me over to take a look at your journal, and I'm sure glad that I did.  I started reading back to some of your past entries, and boy did they bring back some memories.  My ex-husband was a homicide detective here in California about 10 years ago.  He has since taken an early retirement due to the fact that he was shot on the job, and never quite fully recovered.  Physically he did,  not mentally.
At any rate your stories are very interesting to read, and I'm going to put you on alert.
I hope your shoulder gets to feeling better soon!

Jackie

Anonymous said...

Careful with those "fuzzy pills" I had some simliar ones after my foot surgery & then muscle relaxants....ugh! Oh course the wife might night mind you being more agreeable! ;-) Be careful, they might ask you for things & you agree & later can't remember! ;-) Or they may just play with you & say you did! :-) Hey...at least you are not on crutches for 4 months...and in snow! Hope you are feeling better soon!

Anonymous said...

Hi... was reading the Wanderer"'s blog and Bea mentioned you... I laughed at your description... sorry for the injury, I should not laugh... anyway, first time I see your blog, the photo with the gun "shocked" me... but he, why not after all, this is what your stories are about no?... interesting... I thought we only had a blog about paramedical emergencies around, and no... we also have a detective like you... so, I will be back. Don't bother visiting my blog, since I started it I am regressing into my girly state with all the shiny tags and collage :D
Valerie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/iiimagicxx/surreality/

Anonymous said...

Bea mentioned your journal Dave. I am glad I came over and visited. You humour is infectious. Take care of that shoulder,
Kate.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/bobandkate/AnAnalysisofLife/

Anonymous said...

Hello Dave,
Bea asked me to pay a visit, and enjoyed the read. Sorry to hear about your injury and the side-effects of its treatment. Good luck

http://journals.aol.co.uk/pharmolo/NorthernTrip

Anonymous said...

SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR SHOULDER. I HAVE JUST SPENT THE LAST HALF HOUR CATCHING UP ON YOUR JOURNAL. I AM BEHIND ON EVERYTHING. I HAVE BEEN DOWN WITH MY BACK AGAIN SO NOW I AM PLAYING CATCH UP, LOL I HAVEN'T EVEN WRITTEN IN MY OWN JOURNAL FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, PEOPLE HAVE MOST LIKELY GIVEN UP ON ME, LOL.
YOUR ENTRIES REALLY CRACK ME UP AND WILL BE HAPPY WHEN YOU GET BACK TO WORK. IN THE MEAN WHILE WATCH WHERE YOU AIM THAT FIST,LOL. TAKE CARE, GET WELL QUICKLY.
                         HUGS, CYNDY. MENDOTA, IL.

Anonymous said...

I wish you a swift recovery!!

Heard about your through Bea.  =)

LORI

Who I am… underneath it all:  
http://journals.aol.com/scotthlori/DiscoveringMe

Precious Metal (A Spiritual Journal)
http://journals.aol.com/scotthlori/PreciousMetal

Anonymous said...

hi! get well soon!
hugs,natalie

Anonymous said...

Hm, I think I am looking at the same surgery, and I never surfed, unless surfing the web counts. I wish you a very speedy recovery! At least the drugs are good.

Anonymous said...

So good to have you back ... even if only for a day! Have missed your journals and the smiles they bring.   BTW, are you left- or right-handed?  The question came to mind when picturing your immobile right arm while maneuvering the PC keyboard.  (-;   Hopefully you're a Lefty!
Take care ... Sure hope you're back to 100% very soon.
Patty

Anonymous said...

LOL @ your war surfer injury and how a guy like you cant wait to go back to work. It's funny how a guy can deal with combat but is all thumbs when it comes to everyday life.

Anonymous said...

Missed you!  I love reading your journal! Barbara

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear of your injury and surgery.  Glad you are recovering but don't get hooked on Oxycontin like Rush Limbaugh did!  The shoulder injury (is it rotor cuff or rotator cuff? I've known people that say both) is typical for men your age.  My hubby is 45 and needs the surgery and every other guy I know that age, has either had the surgery or needs it.  Bummer but glad you got it taken care of.  Maybe there will be a slow down in murders while you are on light duty.  NOT!  Crime goes on no matter what.  Just had to say I've loved your blog!  Know you are making people smile and laugh every time you write.  Keep up the good work both on the blog and on the street.  Chrisor

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your injury.  I wish you a speedy recovery.  As another commentor said, at least the medicine's good!

Dirk

Anonymous said...

Glad yopu're back, regardless of the condition.  An old dog on a short leash is better than a dead dog without one.

Anonymous said...

Dang if we xrayed you no telling what we would find..lol
Donna In TEXAS