A Timeout

My right (dominant) arm had been bothering me for months, so much so that I quit swimming (my favorite exercise which I have been doing regularly for several decades). I adapted my exercise regimen and substituted more biking and “ellipticalling” at the Y. But apparently vigorous weeding, too much mousing, and my age caught up with me, and after two doctors, some physical therapy, an MRI showing a partial rotator cuff tear, and a cortisone shot, I succumbed to a surgical solution. For the first six weeks after surgery I wore a sling. It became a game to learn how to use my left hand, to dress myself, brush and floss my teeth, prepare and eat food, wash my hair and my body, and get any kind of exercise (mostly walking), all the while reminding myself that using the nondominant hand to do things is good for the brain. I should be brilliant by the time I get over this. Sleeping was the biggest challenge since I was required to sleep on my back. I was advised to use a recliner, which I tried for a couple of nights. Then I made a pillow nest in the bed so that I could not roll in either direction. I found that I could not sleep for more than 5-6 hours in this one position, so I ended up using the recliner for daily naps. After the long weeks of wearing the sling except for showering, and thinking soon I could re-start upper body conditioning, I learned that after removing the sling, I now had six MORE weeks of physical therapy, done at home and consisting of sitting at a table or standing next to a wall and crawling my hand forward and upward respectively, on a daily basis. There has indeed been progress, slow but steady, but more pain as everything gradually stretches out, and sometimes I fall into despair imagining that I will never again have full range of motion or enough strength to swim again. I am eagerly anticipating my forthcoming followup with the doctor to find out what I’m allowed to do next.