Turning a cold shoulder
Oh, how I wish I could.
Unfortunately, my injured shoulder is neither cold nor turnable for much of a distance. It’s settled down quite a bit, no longer producing sharp pain from the merest of touches or jarrings. And there’s definitely more range of motion in some directions than there was earlier. However, my shoulder remains extremely weak. Between the pain and simple lack of strength, I still can’t raise even the weight of the arm itself very far at all.
An interesting sidelight is the progression of the blood drainage from the injury. Bruising, that is. Anyone who’s had a black eye knows the myriad colors of that subcutaneous hematoma as it resolves itself. Well, I have a good bit of such multi-hued blood slowly draining its way down my left arm. It’s pretty well outlined the biceps and moved down along the ulnar side of the elbow. Purple, dark red, brown, some green, and even yellow in some parts. Quite lovely in a macabre sort of way.
I had the first of who-knows-how-many weekly physical therapy sessions on Thursday. There are four more scheduled, at which point I’ll be reevaluated for progress. We’ll work first on range of motion, then move on to strengthening. My principal exercises involve using something that I can grab with both hands, and then use the good arm to help the bad one move into positions that it can’t get to by itself. At the PT office, I used a metal cane as the grab bar. At home, though, I broke out my souvenir Louisville Slugger 
to be used as the crutch for my left arm. That’s a souvenir mini Louisville Slugger; it’s 18 inches long.
Many usual activities remain difficult, if not impossible. In the latter category are the likes of flossing and (my primary PT therapy goal) tying back my hair in a ponytail. How long will it take before I’m able to raise my left arm up behind my head to hold the hair as I place an elastic band with my right hand? Who the hell knows?
Meanwhile, I can drive, though not comfortably. Riding in the passenger seat to a Super Bowl party with my brother-in-law, I had to ask his assistance to buckle my seatbelt. I can use a computer with fair comfort, as the keyboarding position is a mostly painfree one. I can carry, say, a clipboard or perhaps a soda can. But I’m also subject to unexpected sharp twinges (or worse) when any unexpected moves occur. That might mean a slight bobble, or an uneven floor surface, or just about anything. I’m extra careful to move slowly and steadily, but can’t avoid everything.
Each day I’m better, I think. But it’ll be a long haul.
Sigh…
Comments
Er, if it weren’t in use as a gauge, you could cut the hair temporarily.
Heh. My sister said the same thing yesterday, when I went over there to hitch a ride with her husband to a big Super Bowl party.
I’d intended to bring along one of my elastics, but forgot to put it in my pocket. So I went to the party with hair a-flyin’. One or two of the other guests (nearly all of whom I didn’t know) thought I looked like I belonged on a fishing boat or in a lumber camp. Seemed odd to me ... I’m accustomed to Garcia comparisons.
Cut his hair???! 
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