Hey, y'all. I've been absent from the paper crafting world for 17 weeks now. Due to a motor vehicle crash I had a torn rotator cuff and a torn labrum. Throw in a hundred bone spurs, too. Apparently I now have what's called "Frozen Shoulder". Even though I have had much physical therapy and other procedures I don't seem to be making any progress. The pain is chronic, my range of motion is terrible and I've lost the muscle in the one arm. I've done a bit of reading on Frozen Shoulder and it could take a few years for the shoulder to thaw if it thaws. I'm trying to stay positive but after this long that positivity starts sliding.
I so miss creating cards. I haven't visited anyone's blog, not even my own sweet House Mouse team mates. I'm going to start making the rounds again. I may end up copying and pasting comments so bear with me. Too much typing equals more pain.
I do covet your prayers and would greatly appreciate them. I'm sure more than a few of you have had or still have your own nightmare stories of health problems. Feel free to send me your story as I will commiserate with you.
I'll be visiting y'all soon. Hugs to all. Gentle, one sided, don't hug me I'll hug you, hugs.
Bunny, it is so good hearing from you. I'm sorry to hear that the surgeries and therapies seem to not have helped. I'm not saying this will be the case for you, but both my shoulders froze in 2000. I'll never forget it. After shots, and many trips to PT over the course of 8 months, they said I was at maximum medical improvement. Ever so slowly (and excruciatingly painfully), I would picture myself rolling my shoulders or shrugging my shoulders - because I needed to unfreeze my neck as well. It was awful, and I tried imagining it without pain, which of course, is hard to do. After some months, I could somewhat shrug my shoulders. The muscle had eased a bit, but the pain was still there. I would also stand in an interior doorway with elbows bent so hands were upward, palms outward, and press against the door jam. This, too, was slow going. In the beginning I had to merely rest my hands on the door jam without pressing outward. Sometimes I would do this periodically all day long. One rep for a few seconds. When I was able to stretch out those related muscles, I proceeded to work on having my hands over my head. It took nearly 2 years, but my frozen shoulders are better now. I have full range of motion with my right shoulder - though it often hurts. The left has never fully regained full ROM, and it always hurts. But I can put my arms fully over my head. One thing I can no longer do is swim with a normal freestyle or butterfly strokes. Just treading, dog paddle, breast or side strokes. But it is something, right? One of my prayers was, "please show me how I can best serve myself and others through this problem, and because of this challenge." I was constantly looking for ways to serve others (mostly those close to me who understood my limitations), and to be grateful for the smallest of pleasures in my life. These loving attitudes of gratitude have become increasingly valuable as my abilities further deteriorate. The shoulders are the main reason I had to give up most of my non-paper-crafting crafts. We have altered our lives, and spend every moment grateful that I have this moment, even if it is in pain. One way to do this is to imagine yourself having these afflictions, but living in poverty in a region of the world where it's climatically uncomfortable, and the culture requires everyone to pull their weight without consideration of one's abilities. It immediately makes us grateful for having loved ones who understand, food on the table, and comfortable homes in which to reside. I often say to myself, "what if this new deterioration does not remit? What if it stays like this? Then I'll need to adjust and learn to enjoy life anyway." That helps me very much. Bunny, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Sending heartfelt patience for yourself, and wisdom for overcoming the challenges in innovative ways. Lovingly, de
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Bunny, sent you an email and sending hugs.xxx
ReplyDeleteOh, Bunny, this is not the news I was hoping to read here. You know I've been praying for you, my friend. Please stay positive and don't give up!
ReplyDeleteI read Donna's comment with great interest and I really like her attitude - I'm going to try some of her suggestions myself.
Sending hugs and prayers,
Kitty
So sorry to read that you are recovering from a car crash. Thinking of you and hope your recovery goes well. xx
ReplyDeleteHi Bunny sos sorry for all the pain it's terrible.
ReplyDeleteMayby it goes slow, but stay possitive.
snet you lotts of hugssssssssss and kisses mousie sister.
Gr Karin
I was wondering where you hopped off to, Bunny. I knew about the shoulder, but I was hoping you had gone on an around-the-world trip or something. I'm so sorry that's not the case. This is such a bummer. I have issues, but nothing near as bad as this, so I can't imagine basically losing one arm AND having it hurt! You can count on my prayers that the Florida heat will thaw your shoulder in no time and you'll be good as new again. I hope the accident wasn't your fault and you got a ton of money in a personal injury lawsuit to take some of the sting out of it. If not, then nevermind, just visualize being able to put up your Christmas decorations with no pain! I know that's a few months away, but I want to make the goal realistic and not fantasy ~ IT CAN HAPPEN!!! Lots of from-a-distance gentle hugs! Darnell
ReplyDeleteSending you Friday hugs.xx
ReplyDeleteSending you HUGS, Sweetie!! I have been praying for you!! Miss ya-
ReplyDeleteJulie
Sorry to hear about your accident. I hope you recover soon. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear Bunny! What a long recovery already and more to come. I know it's hard to stay positive at this point, but it may help if you can do that. I know about chronic pain. No relief, which is so tiring as well as painful. Hang in there. Rest as much as you can and hope that your shoulder unfreezes sooner than anticipated. Sending prayers and healing thoughts your way. Loll xx
ReplyDeleteSending Wednesday hugs.xx
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read of the accident and the slow recovery. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteOh, Bunny! So sorry to hear about your accident and so sorry that you've had a long recovery. Thinking of you...
ReplyDeletesorry to hear about your accident, I hope every day you are getting stronger and feeling better. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and giving me encouragement on my card :)
ReplyDeletePraying for you, hoping for quick healing. Can't be easy dealing with the pain. I'm sorry. Please know you are being thought of Bunny. Sincerely, America
ReplyDeleteSending Friday hugs.xx
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this~praying for your continued healing!
ReplyDeleteOddly, I keep looking on here every so often.... just to see if by chance you may have had a good enough day to make a card. I know it's impossible right now with one hand. I'll smile on the day I see a brand new one posted, knowing you're starting to get a little better! LOVE YOU!!
ReplyDeleteOMG I am so sorry I'm only seeing this now! Please know you are in my prayers and look forward to the day you will be making cards again ... always such an inspiration! Big Hugs and, you know where to find me!!
ReplyDeleteFriday hugs goin' your way again my friend...xx
ReplyDeleteHealing hugs and well wishes being sent your way! CarolG
ReplyDeleteBig hugs(air hugs that is)!!! Hoping all your pain can be treated and hope is in the horizon. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are doing better. I have had 'frozen' shoulder and it is terrible. You feel like you have to carry your arm around with you all day.
ReplyDeletetake care,
xx Karen