Shoulder Surgery on a Stubborn Patient
Lance is not the type of man to complain about pain, but
lately, I have seen an increase in the amount of pain killers he is taking, and I
grew concerned. It sucks getting
old. It really does. Your body begins to deteriorate, and you have
to contend with all the aches and pains of an aged body. When I first met Lance, I knew he suffered
from an old shoulder injury as well as compressed discs in his neck. He managed but the pain got progressively
worse. I wanted him to look into
possibly trying to repair the shoulder.
He was very reluctant due to a very unsuccessful ear surgery a year or two before, but I
kept insisting. It was getting worse,
and I was worried.
We finally scheduled the surgery with one of the top specialist whose
primary patients were professional sports athletes in the Southern California
region. Lance had injured his shoulder
back in the late 90s from a skiing accident. His shoulder separation was considered a grade III. The doctor emphasized that he would not be
able to completely repair the shoulder injury, but that he could improve it by 80
percent.
It’s been three week since we
drove to Los Angeles for the surgery. He
is now recovering and doing everything he shouldn’t be doing. I know it is difficult for him to “take it
easy”, but he is frankly pissing me off.
As soon as we arrived home from surgery, he removed the sling. He is supposed to still be wearing it, and
fortunately, I was able to convince him to put it on. He removed all of his bandages two days
early. He refuses to ice it. He took a shower sooner than allowed. He also decided to take a bike ride six days
post operation. I want this operation to
be a success and the major impediment is Lance.
In a few weeks, he is supposed to be in physical therapy. He told me yesterday that he didn’t feel
there was a need. I adamantly disagreed
with him. I think I finally convinced him
that he WILL go to therapy.
Triennial Colonoscopy
I also had my triennial colonoscopy. Yes, lucky me. I’m on a three-year plan. I have never been drunk in my life so it is
amusing to me to hear Lance tell me things that I don’t remember doing or
saying. I was drugged up from the
procedure that I had no clue how I got dressed or out of the hospital. Lance said that I got out of bed, completely
naked telling everyone I was ready to go. The curtain was wide open and I was
standing there exposed. Lance also said
I was talking to the doctor. I have no recollection of that either. I wanted
to convince the doctor to space out the procedure and not put me on the three-year plan.
I did have my follow-up appointment, and I’m so happy that
I’m now on the five-year plan. Even
though the colonoscopy showed areas of inflammation in my colon, I feel I am in
the great shape. When I was getting
prepped for the procedure, the nurse asked me if I was a runner. I was very surprised by this question. How
did she know? When I replied
affirmatively, I asked her how she could possibly know that? She said that my
resting heart rate was very low, which is common in endurance athletes. I had a very strong heart.
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| yes, I take a photo prior to a colonoscopy. Who does that???? ME!!! |
June Bug
Lance and I were able to welcome our very first new granddaughter, June Thompson. We made
the long 9-hour drive to Eastern Arizona to see her three weeks after she was
born. She is absolutely precious. I forget how small newborn babies are… she
was bundled up like a little worm. I
loved the way she smelled and her cute little angelic face.
We were also able to see our two daughters,
Lauren and Jessie. Lauren is the new
mommy. Jessie flew in from Idaho for the
weekend so it was a mini reunion. We were able to give the girls their new matching Pandora charm bracelets. We have decided that it is going to be our tradition so that on every birthday, they would receive a new charm for their bracelet. I want them to be able to look at their wrists and be reminded of how special they are and how much they are loved.
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| Look at that precious face! (no, not mine. June's!!!) |
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| Little girl fast asleep. |
We didn’t do much during the weekend, which was absolutely
what Lance and I needed. We spent all of the time just catching up, and of course, loving on June and our two grandsons, Carter and
Jax. I told Lance that I wanted the
grandkids to ALWAYS associate us with presents and candy. Everytime they see us, I want them to expect
a special little gift. What are
grandparents for other than spoiling grandchildren? We brought them early and late birthday presents. It was wonderful watching them open them
up. It was a small Christmas in March. They are such good, sweet boys. Carter doesn’t see us as often as we would
like, but he continues to be so loving.
He hugs us as if he saw us daily.
There is no, “who the heck are these people?” Carter is also a bit of a booger. Literally. The cute little booger kept digging in his nose and shoving his finger in his mouth. When we would gasp in disgust, he just giggled and continued doing it. It was one of those things that the bigger our disgusted response, the more Carter shoved his finger happily in his mouth. He did it to get more of a response from us. Haha. Too funny and too gross!
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| Carter and I having fun taking 'selfies' |
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| two-year old little Jaxon |
Saturday afternoon, we went to see Lance’s ex in-laws (his ex brother and sister in law). Lance always had a special connection to his
ex brother-in law and wanted very much to see him. We learned he was in town
for the birth of his own grandchild.
When they reunited, it was as if no time was lost. It had been a little over 20 years, but it
seemed like yesterday for these two friends. I know it
provided Lance with a sense of relief, because he does feel remorse for the events of the past and knowing that
everyone has moved beyond and that all was forgiven was very comforting for him. I guess time does heal all wounds.
Saturday evening was spent with nice BBQ and a fire pit in
the backyard. We spent more time just talking.
I didn’t take as many
photos as I would have liked, and the trip was very short. We arrived Saturday night only to leave
Monday morning. The good news though is
that we will be seeing everyone again in September.
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| the only group photo taken before we departed |
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