Cancun

I can't believe I actually got on a plane and flew out of the country!  I couldn't have done it without the help of my doctor and the medication she prescribed me lol.  Landing in Mexico was quite scary though.  We were low and fast and would suddenly drop and I would get that rollercoaster sensation in my stomach.  I also overheard some people saying that "it shouldn't be like this" and "this must be his first flight".  Needless to say I tightened my seat belt and left nail marks on the arm rest.  We landed safely and found a party bus waiting for us. It came equipped with a big screen tv, loud music, flashing lights and a stripper pole.  Did I mention it also came with LOTS of beer?  We went through all beer and actually had to stop at a store to get more.  Uncle Mike dazzled us with an impressive spin on the stripper pole.  Classic.  The resort was absolutely gorgeous!  I shared a room with my youngest brother Chad and we had a lot of laughs.  The resort was all inclusive. They would serve you at the pool or even in the pool.  It rocked.  There was a kids side of the resort and an adults side.  We started out at the kids side in the morning to spend time with the ones with kids and then we would trek on over to the adult side.  It was like MTV spring break on the adult side.  There was choreographed dancing, loud music, and even synchronized swimming.  Tequila flowed like water there.  It was even more fun when they pulled out this huge blow up raft slip n slide thing.  On Sunday was the wedding.  It was absolutely beautiful.  I don't think there was a dry eye to be had.  My mom looked so beautiful.  My nieces made it down the aisle like pros.  My brother Chad and my cousin make a great musical pair.  Chad played the acoustic guitar while Catie sang as the flower girls and bride walked down the aisle.  They also played and sang the first dance song at the reception.  Such a beautiful wedding and evening.  We missed my sister and her family.  They weren't able to make it because of medical reasons.  Thankfully we were able to Facetime them and they were able to see the entire wedding and the first dance.The only thing that would have made it perfect is if they were able to make it.  They were in our thoughts all week.  The reception was wild and crazy and FUN!  So happy for my mom and Jim. They deserve all the best.

First 2 weeks

I've been back at work for 2 weeks now.  I was super excited to get back to work and decided to jump back into it full time.  HUGE mistake!  The first week of work went horribly.  My legs and feet were in so much pain I almost left work early one day.  It also had me thinking of going on disability because I thought my body had done all it could.  However, after a weekend of rest I was ready to tackle another week of work.  MUCH better this time around!  I decided to slow myself down and ask for help when I needed it.  Thankfully I work with some amazing people who help me when I ask for it and even come to my aid when they see me struggling.  It feels good to get back to life.  I'm still in therapy twice a week for my shoulder.  Although I've made good progress I've hit a plateau when it comes to lifting my arm.  I just can't lift my arm all the way up.  Also, the tendons/muscles make popping noises once it hits a certain point.  The surgeon is going to sit in on a therapy session this Monday.  Hopefully she'll figure out a way to (painlessly) relax my shoulder muscles so I can get more movement.  At the moment we are focused on stretching my arm muscles.  Basically, it consists of me lying on a table and having my therapist force my arm up.  Is it painful you ask? Ummmmm....yes!  I'll try to keep everyone updated on my progress!

6 week checkup

I had my 6 week checkup with my surgeon on Thursday.  Going in, I was really excited to show all my progress to her.  My excitement slowly fizzled as she told me my therapist had been going easy on me.  She had me lay down and took my arm and forced it up and held it there.  I was in so much pain I couldn't breathe.  She did tell me that she was happy with my progress but that now it was time to get forceful so I could get as much motion back as possible.  Kinda put me in a bad mood after that.  As usual, I'm up for the challenge.  I wish she had started out with some praise and encouragement but oh well.  One thing I'm excited about is that I can wear a bra again!  (TMI!)  I haven't been able to wear one because it really bothered my scar.  I think it's (scar) finally been desensitized and I can tolerate a bra again!  It's the small things that make me happy.  I'm also starting to drive again.  I took my nieces to Target last weekend.  It went well so I'm going to get my car from my house and bring it over to Mom's house.  I'll be able to take myself to therapy and wherever else I feel like.  I'm very close to going back to work.  I think within the next 2 weeks I should be good to go.  I'm so looking forward to it!  Miss my co-workers and having something to do!  The one thing I don't miss is getting up at 4am. :(

Home stretch

This week in therapy we started strengthening my shoulder muscles and doing some major stretching.  I've actually been working up a sweat!  We've started out using yellow resistance bands for strengthening.  Also, I've started using some kind of a machine that I can only describe as an exercise bike for the arms.  I can already tell a difference just from this week!  I'm able to lift my arm enough to touch my face now.  Last week I couldn't do it very easily.  I've been doing really well at keeping up with my therapy at home.  In fact, I think I may be going above and beyond what I should be doing.  I'm so anxious to get back to my life!  Work, driving, leaving the house whenever I feel like it and being back with my baby, Max. 

To help pass the time I've been reading the Walking Dead Compendium One which I think is books 1-48.  I finished it the other night and have already started on Compendium Two which is books 49-96.  I've also been watching a lot of TV, playing a lot of facebook games, and lots of exercising.  I'm starting to get bored....

Making progress

Almost 5 weeks after surgery!  I missed both therapy appointments last week.  I was sick one of the days and the other day my therapist was sick.  I worked extra hard at home to make sure I didn't lose any movement.  When I went back to therapy this week she was impressed with my progress.  She stretched my arm muscles even further and thinks I'm ready for muscle strengthening exercises.  So next week we are going to start using bands for resistance with my exercises.  Also, since they had to cut into part of my rotator cuff during surgery, I haven't been allowed to rotate my arm outward.  Next week I am going to start working on that movement.  Lots of hard work and pain but I'm looking forward to it.  I'm thinking within the next 3 -4 weeks I will be driving again and starting back to work.  Yipee! 

Not feelin' so hot

I haven't been feeling so hot the past couple of days.  My stomach has been upset and nauseous.  The one thing I hate the most is when I'm hungry but feel like I'm going to get sick if I eat.  Hopefully I'll start feeling better soon.

Yesterday I had my stitches removed.  It was one continuous stitch with bows tied at each end.  Two snips and they pulled them out.  Very little pain (yay)!  I have therapy twice a week.  It's been going well.  Lots of stretching the muscles.  I've started working on moving my arm myself.  Lifting it straight up and out to the side.  I've been having trouble lifting it straight up.  It's a bit difficult and causes some muscle pain.  It disappoints me that it's so hard to do.  I keep reminding myself that I did just have surgery 2 weeks ago.  Things aren't going to work perfectly afterwards.  That's why I have therapy.  Also my arm muscles haven't worked right for about 5 years so it's going to take some time to build them back up.  I have made some progress though.  I am able to brush my teeth by myself and feed myself.  The more things I can do on my own the better it makes me feel.   I'm hoping to be back at work within 4 weeks.  I'm already bored and actually want to go back! 

On Saturday night I spent the evening at my house.  I've been living with my mom and Jim while I recuperate.  I had to leave my dog Max behind.  I've missed him so much!  I spent the evening with him and he was on my lap the whole night.  I invited my dad over to hang out for awhile and my nieces were there too.  We ate some Papa John's pizza which did not sit well with me. 

That's all I have for now!

Therapy

Today was my first therapy appointment.  It went well.  We started with passive therapy meaning I didn't actually move my arm myself but the therapist moved it for me.  It moved really well and she was able to stretch my muscles.  The only thing that hurt was the pulling on the stitches.  Things went so well that she had me move it a little on my own.  Obviously the muscle was extremely weak but it was a good start.  She also decided to move up my appointment for getting my stitches out.  I'm now getting my stitches out on Monday.  It's really going to help my therapy.  I think I'll be able to move my arm a little better without fear of the stitches hurting.  Next week I'll start exercising my arm myself and working on building my muscle.  I'm super excited!