Steady as she goes
Aug. 8th, 2014 08:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rose_catThree weeks in, as of Wednesday. It's been interesting teaching my non-dominant arm (right) to perform motions that the dominant side can already do without my having to consciously think about it. It's also tricky to concentrate on using the non-dominant side while simultaneously remembering to keep the opposite shoulder as relaxed as possible. And it's even more of a challenge to do all of that while trying to use the left hand and forearm at the same time. It's a complicated balancing act. It might be fun to actually become ambidextrous, but a little research told me that it's not nearly as simple as just using the other hand more. Honestly, I can't be bothered.
I started physical therapy today, with Richelle, who I've worked with before. She was the one who told me that the therapy wasn't helping like it should, and that I needed to go back to the doctor and get an MRI. So it's thanks to her that I got a diagnosis, and surgery, at last. It's nice to be going to somebody I already like and trust, not to mention that it's only a ten-minute drive. Not that I'm driving, but it makes it easier on B. Hopefully he can get in a reasonable workday even when he's shuttling me over there.
I'm still gradually reducing the pain meds. Currently I'm taking 1/2 Percocet and two ibuprofen (2.5mg oxycodone, 162.5mg acetaminophen and 400mg ibuprofen) every four hours maximum. I'm feeling confident enough now to go as long as six hours between doses when I'm awake, and up to eight when I sleep through the night. I'm still using the ice machine most of the time; without it, I think I'd be taking a lot more pain medicine. Surgery HURRRRRTS. But I do try ignoring the pain some of the time.
I slept without the ice machine for the first time last night. It wasn't unbearably painful when I got up, although it was achier than when I've iced all night, and it was certainly more comfortable lying down with fewer elastic straps pulling me in what feels like all directions. But after the PT it's hurting enough that I think I'll go back to sleeping with the tentacle monster for a while.
The PT was mostly passive range-of-motion exercises, some of which I'll be doing at home a few times a day.
Blue Shield is being idiotic again about the insurance. Apparently they're still unable to figure out how to drop B from the plan (he's gone to Medicare) while keeping me on it. A couple of days ago, right after the representative B had talked to assured him that everything was fine, we got a letter informing us that my coverage had terminated at the end of June. (Not that they've sent back any of the money we paid.) If they try to make us pay the $40,000 for the surgery out-of-pocket, we really will sue.
Three more weeks in the sling, if all goes well. How was your day?
I started physical therapy today, with Richelle, who I've worked with before. She was the one who told me that the therapy wasn't helping like it should, and that I needed to go back to the doctor and get an MRI. So it's thanks to her that I got a diagnosis, and surgery, at last. It's nice to be going to somebody I already like and trust, not to mention that it's only a ten-minute drive. Not that I'm driving, but it makes it easier on B. Hopefully he can get in a reasonable workday even when he's shuttling me over there.
I'm still gradually reducing the pain meds. Currently I'm taking 1/2 Percocet and two ibuprofen (2.5mg oxycodone, 162.5mg acetaminophen and 400mg ibuprofen) every four hours maximum. I'm feeling confident enough now to go as long as six hours between doses when I'm awake, and up to eight when I sleep through the night. I'm still using the ice machine most of the time; without it, I think I'd be taking a lot more pain medicine. Surgery HURRRRRTS. But I do try ignoring the pain some of the time.
I slept without the ice machine for the first time last night. It wasn't unbearably painful when I got up, although it was achier than when I've iced all night, and it was certainly more comfortable lying down with fewer elastic straps pulling me in what feels like all directions. But after the PT it's hurting enough that I think I'll go back to sleeping with the tentacle monster for a while.
The PT was mostly passive range-of-motion exercises, some of which I'll be doing at home a few times a day.
Blue Shield is being idiotic again about the insurance. Apparently they're still unable to figure out how to drop B from the plan (he's gone to Medicare) while keeping me on it. A couple of days ago, right after the representative B had talked to assured him that everything was fine, we got a letter informing us that my coverage had terminated at the end of June. (Not that they've sent back any of the money we paid.) If they try to make us pay the $40,000 for the surgery out-of-pocket, we really will sue.
Three more weeks in the sling, if all goes well. How was your day?
