Friday, January 18, 2013

Headed For the Operating Room - Friday, January 18, 2013


In about twenty minutes, my dear friend, Mark Lammers, will arrive to chauffeur 
me to California Pacific Medical Center where the esteemed orthopedist, Dr.
John Belzer, will replace the joint in my left shoulder.  It took me a long time to
finally make the decision to undergo surgery but, when the pain in my left
shoulder and arm became so severe, even at rest, I couldn't put it off any
longer.  After all, I have a ten year Indian visa and my first grandchild
arriving in late April and I need to as pain free as possible and it's good
to have the use of both arms.  

I have drawn a black "x" on my left shoulder ( to tease Dr. Belzer ).  Years
ago, I was an operating room nurse and even wrote a poem called, "The
Orthopedic Blues" which is all about being an OR ortho nurse.  I will show it
to Dr. Belzer, after the surgery.  He is a terrific surgeon - very nice - AND
very handsome, not that good looks are a prerequisite.

I don't know how much I'll be blogging for while as, for six weeks, I cannot
use my left arm and hand at all. I've tried to dowload Dragon "Naturally 
Speaking" software so I can dictate my blogs, etc.  Not being very tech savvy,
I am not doing so well.  I'll work on it post op when I'm feeling a little better.
I also plan to work on learning Hindi!!  I've got a couple of CDs and books.  
We'll see how that goes.

Please, please, everyone, offer prayers to any and all gods, that I do well with 
this surgery.  I'll be getting a new shoulder but, sadly, the rest of the aging
body remains.  Too bad I couldn't get a face lift at the same time....no plastiic 
surgery for me, though, since insurance doesn't support vanity.

Over and out for awhile.

17 comments:

  1. I hope your surgery goes well so that you can hold your little grandchild when he/she arrives. I too have my first coming, April 25th! We are lucky ladies!!

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    1. How wonderful, Patty. I got to go to my daughter-in-law's ultrasound December 16th and it was so exciting. Laura and Alex don't want to know the baby's sex but, with three sons, I must confess I'd like a girl. Indeed, we are very lucky.

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  2. with you in prayers Carmen, praying for the success of your operation and for your over-all wellness, hugs to you

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    1. betchai, thank you my dear, for the prayers and love. My orthopedist told me I'd feel better the day after surgery than I did the day before. He was absolutely right. I put off this operation for two years. It's a bother not being able to use my left arm for six weeks but the pain is gone!

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  3. i'll be praying for your fast recovery, Carmen. all the best!

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    1. Luna, I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the prayers. I am doing really well and the arthritic pain has been gone since my surgery. Amazing. I should have listened to my orthopedist years ago.

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  4. Good luck, Carmen, and I will think of you in my prayer!

    Rest well, and don't worry about the blog..

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    Replies
    1. Icy, I can't believe what a success the surgery was in terms of pain relief. I should've done it long ago. I'm in the process of downloading Dragon software which is really great. Now I can dictate instead of using my left arm and hand to type.

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  5. My prayer to you.

    When will you learn Chinese and visit Malaysia?

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    1. My dear rainfield, so far I haven't done very well and learning Hindi... But I am doing well postoperatively. I wish I could come to Malaysia... Good thing so many people speak English. It may have to wait till my next life, though. Shall we make a date then?

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  6. Anonymous3:09 PM

    Many getting well wishes and a speedy recovery.

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    Replies
    1. Robert, I'm sorry, I put up my surgery so long. My arthritis pain is gone and I felt better immediately after surgery except for operative pain. My right shoulder bothers me but it's not bad enough yet for surgery. I won't hesitate when I need it, though.

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  7. Dear Carmen, Sending you great big hugs, lots of love and many prayers for a full and complete recovery. I'm cheering you on.
    xo jj

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  8. Hi Carmen, Stopping back after your post-op comment on my blog. THANK YOU! Glad you are doing well and the pain management is better. I hope by the time you read this you're well on your way to feeling much, much better.
    xo jj

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    Replies
    1. Joanna I can't leave I put this operation off for two years. I was in so much pain my last five months in India. Dr. Belzer kept telling me a shoulder replacement would make all the difference in the world but I was so hesitant. My arthritis pain is completely gone and the operative pain was not that that bad. I know that physical therapy will be a bit rough , but I'm so glad I had the operation.

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  9. Oh Carmen! I hope it all goes well. I have bad shoulders too, so I just feel your pain, but have good hopes that you'll be good as new soon. Love and prayers. Joan

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    Replies
    1. My dear Joan, this aging process is not easy. I am amazed, though, that this shoulder surgery was not so bad. Dr. Belzer told me that I would feel better the day after surgery the day before. He was absolutely right. No more arthritic pain and, of course, in the hospital, I had potent medication for pain control in a PCA pump. Since discharge, it hasn't been bad, other than not being able to use my left arm.

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