By Merle Lee Ann Pratt – Merle Lee Ann’s Kitchen, author of “A Baker’s Dozen”

Senior's Scene

The Next 6 Weeks …

Oct 3, 2024 | 3:51 PM

“The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Pattison Media and this site.”

If you are caught up on my blogs you will know my last blog was about my rotator shoulder cuff surgery and adjusting to a shoulder brace for six weeks and the inability to do the things I used to do. Moving forward, this is about the after surgery and the next few weeks. (Life after surgery.)

As an update – I was in a shoulder brace for six weeks sleeping in a recliner for four weeks and then sleeping with pillows in my bed for the next two weeks. The brace kept my right arm immobilized to prevent injury to it. About 20 years ago they started moving that arm the day after surgery. I cannot even imagine having to use my arm that soon. It was a few days before I did anything more than the 3 or 4 simple exercises assigned to me to prevent frozen shoulder. My arm was very safe in its brace and I felt secure with it on – protecting me from pain.

I was able to see my surgeon six weeks after my surgery and he said I was good to go – I could remove the brace. Yeah, however I did find that my arm was still quite sore by the end of the day so I slept with my brace for the first 5-6 nights. I felt I needed the support as my arm was still quite tender. And I am not sure if this happens to you – but sometimes during a dream your body will twitch. I did not need a twitching arm, retching my shoulder and putting me into pain. I was still fearful of doing damage to my arm and having to go through this again.

As the days moved forward here are some of the things I discovered I could do again that I had forgotten about. Example: how to use my right arm for brushing my teeth, I did try to wear blue jeans but I found I did not have the strength to pull up the zipper or do up the button on my blue jeans. It was amazing how much strength I had lost in my right arm over a period of six weeks.

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One of my requirements was to see a physiotherapist once my surgery had been completed for six weeks. The day after my surgery I phoned to get an appointment with the physiotherapist I had seen before my surgery. But lo and behold she was no longer at the office where I used to see her. With a bit of sleuthing, I was able to find her and phoned for an appointment. Do to her popularity I was not able to get an appointment until eight weeks after my surgery. I went to the internet and found exercises to do after shoulder surgery. I downloaded them and hoped I was doing the correct exercises for my arm.

I have since seen my physiotherapist and she was pleased with the exercises I had chosen to do. A few were removed and she gave me some new ones to start on. One of the main instructions was no holding more than 5 pounds in my right arm – and that is with my arm straight down. No lifting of weights. I am afraid I have broken that rule a few times. Carrying a bag of groceries or some cucumbers from my garden would sometimes be more than 5 pounds. But I have tried hard to obey these rules most of the time.

There have been quite a few days with a sore arm. Is this from doing too many exercises or just simply overusing my arm? I believe it is a combination of both. The other morning, I thought I would make a batch of muffins which I did, and within oh, about a half hour into making the muffins I could feel my right arm getting quite sore and realizing once more I am overdoing things with my arm and should not be using it as much as I am. After making the muffins that was it for the rest of my day. I have had to casually sit and television or read. Later that afternoon, as it was another lovely autumn day, I went and watched my daughter shoot a bucket of balls on the driving range. It has been an amazing September of

weather. She was able to grab me a chair and I casually watched her shoot a bucket of balls and enjoyed a beverage in my left hand – note not my right-hand. Still working on that repetitive motion.

As I had mentioned in my last blog I had learned how to use my left hand with my computer with the mouse so now it is time to start using my right hand and start typing with two hands and using the mouse with my right hand. And whether you believe this or not my arm does get sore from using the mouse. Most people will laugh at thinking a mouse is hard on your arm but believe it or not after surgery it is. After speaking with my physiotherapist, I was instructed to try and keep my arm/elbow as close to my side as I can. And eventually I just simply have to rest it.

Another difficult movement that I had to figure out was how to put a belt on:

1. Thread the belt through the loops on your jeans – how to get the belt into the center back loop

2. Tighten up the belt

3. Put the prong of the buckle into the eye hole of the belt strap and place remaining part of strap under the belt loop.

And I know I could have cheated and put the belt on my jeans before putting them on, but this would defeat the purpose of relearning the task.

We did manage to put a small garden in this spring. My husband did some of the planting and I did a little bit because I knew I was probably going to be having surgery and without the surgery I was very limited as to how much I could do. We did plant cucumbers and of course, they are plentiful, as they often are and I have more than I can use as I can’t make pickles this year. Fortunately, I know some people who like cucumbers and have been able to give them away.

Each day my arm gets a little stronger. I can lift it straight up with very little assistance, almost touch the center of my back for a second or two, and do the other exercises I have been instructed to work on. Next it will be adding weight to the various arm exercises I am given. Predictions are for a full recovery by Christmas. Time will tell that one.

Enjoy this amazing autumn weather and remember to do your part and get out and vote in our upcoming provincial election on October 28th. And you can vote by mail if this is more convenient for you.

And last but not least a song. I have chosen Turn, Turn, Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season) by The Byrds. “The Byrds” were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1964. Although they only lasted a short time they were considered to be among the most influential rock bands of their era. David Crosby would have been the most well-known member of this band. Later forming the band Crosby, Still, Nash and Young. Another very popular song by The Byrds was “Mr. Tambourine Man”.

Thanks, and have a great upcoming October (I know – where does the time go)?

And if you have time, I would love it if you subscribed to my YouTube channel: @merleleeannskitchen

Merle Lee Ann Pratt

merleleeannskitchen.com

Email: merleleeann@gmail.com

This column is sponsored by MacKenzie Funeral Chapel and Crematorium – We will be there when you need us – Bev and Brian Stobbs

130 9th St. E, Prince Albert, SK

Phone: (306) 763-8488 – https://mackenziechapel.ca