During our almost 10 years living
in the Deep South, Winter was a foreign concept to us. It would get a little
chilly in Alabama and Georgia this time of year, perhaps we’d get a little snow.
I remember wearing shorts and going outside on Christmas day during our time in
Athens, Georgia. I also recall how Alabama would go into full-on snowpocalypse
mode for what would become a light dusting.
Toto,
we’re not in Georgia anymore.
In the last month
or so we midwesterners have been inundated with ice and snow, and it certainly
adds to life’s challenges. My hat’s off to the street crews who work long hours
to make sure our roads are passable.
One day a few
weeks ago I came home from work during lunch to walk our dog. Our clients don’t
come out in weather like this, so it was slow enough to be doable. Heading out
to the trash can to make a deposit, I slipped on the ice that accumulated on
the stepping stones that lead around the side of the house. One moment I’m
upright, the next I’m flat on my belly. Turns out that landing on one’s
shoulder is not a recommended course of action.
The pain was
significant but not astronomical. 7-8 on the 10 scale they use. More of a
constant, dull ache and not a sharp pain. Make no mistake, however, it was
still very painful.
 |
| Looks like I'll miss the start of spring training. |
So with a left arm
hanging at my side, the First Lady and I head off to the doc in a box. The DO takes
a quick look at me and realizes that my left shoulder was dislocated. Then it
was off to the ER, where it turns out I wasn’t the only one with a weather-related
injury. Lots of waiting is understandable in this situation, and it was
impossible to find a sitting position that was comfortable. When you’ve got a
bum shoulder you really know where all the manhole covers are on the road. Plus with wintry weather comes pothole season. My
dear wife did very well to minimize even the smallest of bumps in the road. Felt like a bit of a slalom event there for a bit.
A very reassuring
thing was when the ER doctor took a four-second look at my x-ray and nodded her
head. She didn’t point to anything. It turned out this was a garden-variety
separation with no broken bones. They gave me some of the good stuff to knock
me out as they reset my shoulder. I don’t remember going out. One second I’m
talking to the doctor about how lovely it is in Arizona this time of year, the
next I’m lying there in bed with everything back in place. It seemed like five
minutes though I’m told it was more like 45.
I managed to get
around for a week with my arm in a sling, though I weaned myself off it after
about four days. You really notice the things you use your body for when one
part of it is injured. Simple things like getting out of bed, taking a shower
and even putting on a shirt are much more complicated when soreness is
involved.
By now it’s still
a little sore but I feel a lot better. I’m able to do more as I go forward.
Physical therapy begins tomorrow.
