Less Than a Week — and Counting

Shoulder replacement surgery is less than a week away and I’ve got several of the pre-op check marks ticked off my list. For one thing I’ve spoke with the anesthesiologist’s office and was extremely pleased to find that my co-pay for them is a whopping $198. When I’ve paid literally thousands for out-of-network, out-of-pocket anesthesiologist [...]

Doc Visits / 12 Days and Counting

Well yesterday I saw my internist for my pre-op physical and general annual check up. No surprises there unless something comes back in the blood work.
This morning I went in for a follow-up visit with my rheumatologist. She was appalled that I’ve been off the Humira as long as I have.  Ideally she wants her [...]

You Gotta Wonder What’s Next

One of the things that astounds (or maybe confounds) me is the rapidity at which my shoulder joint disintegrated. Six months ago it was fine.
 
Okay, the truth is the shoulder has given me trouble in the past, and in 2007 I had surgery to relocate the long tendon on my biceps. However, the surgery fixed [...]

Shoulder Replacement Monday, April 6

I got the surgery scheduled for Monday, April 6. I will spend one or two nights at the surgical center then will be home for a while. Doing searches on the Internet, it appears to vary widely on when I’ll be allowed to drive, go back to work, etc. My doctor encourages return to normal [...]

It’s Official – A New Shoulder Comin’

Well, it’s official, although not scheduled. The left shoulder will be replaced. The CT scan showed that not only is the cartilage gone in my shoulder joint, the head of the arm (humerus) has slipped slightly and is grinding a new indentation into the shoulder socket (glenoid).  Unfortunately, the longer we wait, the more deformed [...]

The Verdict Tomorrow, Life Without Humira

Well, tomorrow morning around 9:30 I see Dr. Burkhead and we determine what course of action we’ll be taking with the shoulder surgery. I have no doubt that we’re headed for the operating table.
The more I think about my option of cleaning out the shoulder with the scope, the less I like it. I think [...]

Now, it’s the shoulder

Saw the shoulder doctor this morning (Wayne “Buzz” Burkhead) who is apparently one of the best shoulder surgeons in the nation, based on his Google hits. He wants to replace the shoulder. I countered with let’s go in with the scope and clean up the rotator cuff tears, smooth out the arthritis as best we [...]