Separation Anxiety

             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.