Tags
arthritis, Carla Kienast, dr. burkhead, Enbrel, rheumatoid arthritis, rotator cuff, Shoulder Surgery
The good news is that they didn’t inject my shoulder the other day. (And to Amanda who left a comment, yes they do hurt a bit, but they work wonders.)
The bad news is the reason they didn’t do the injection is the only solution for what is wrong with my shoulder is surgery. I actually saw the surgeon, which is unusual because I’ve just been doing follow-up visits on my shoulder replacement. Normally I see his PA or one of the fellows that come to study/work with him. He showed me a picture of the MRI scan and drew neat little lines all over it describing to me how all the things should look but don’t. I have a partial-to-small tear in the right rotator cuff, bone spurs, and frayed tendons. And it’s my right (dominant) shoulder. About all I can do with my left hand is type “asdf” — and then not very well.
And even though it’s not as major surgery as replacing my left shoulder was, it’s guaranteed to be quite a bit more painful and take just as long to recuperate. In the replacement, they took out all the bad stuff. In the repair, they just work on all of it and it has to heal. So it hurts more.
I probably won’t have the surgery until mid- to late-May. One of my coworkers is already scheduled to have surgery in April and will be out most of the month, so I want to wait until she’s back before I take off.
The day after I got this news, I had my regular check up with my rheumatologist. Everything is stable on the RA front, we’re not making any changes to medications, routines, etc. However, she doesn’t believe that my recent pleurisy visit had anything to do with my RA. She is concerned that it might be fluid on my heart or some way related to my heart functions, so she wants me to get an echo cardiogram. I spent about five phone calls between my cardiologists’ office and her office trying to get that sorted out and finally just suggested they talk to each other instead of putting me in the middle. But the fact of the matter is, I’m tired of doctors, and tests, and anything associated with the medical field.
And the cold is still kicking my butt. Which means I have to delay my Enbrel shot for a couple of days, which throws off my whole plan around my vacation next week. I think I’m getting better — at least I’ve quit getting worse — but my husband may be coming down with it — just in time for our trip to Jamaica.
I’m sorry I don’t have anything philosophical or uplifting to share, but I feel bad and I’m grouchy and upset about the surgery. In an earlier post (By the Numbers) my goal was zero trips to the hospital this year. Guess I can cross that one of my list.
I really, really hope you’re having a better day / life than I am right now. Thanks for checking in.
Having to deal with a cold on top of RA is a pain in the butt, isn’t it?
I’m already sending you positive thoughts for your upcoming surgeries. I admire the courage of people who go through these surgeries – I sat by my mother’s side as she recovered from knee replacement surgery, and I know it is not easy.
Hi Carla. I’m one of those dreadfully annoying “bright-side-silver-lining” people, so you can stop reading right now and I’ll forgive you. But … as frustrated as you are over this, at least once your shoulder heals up from the surgery, you’ll have less pain and improved function in it (I think that’s the idea, right?). So in the long run, the surgery is probably a good thing, even though it sure doesn’t sound like it right now. Another bright side is getting to the bottom of your bout with pleurisy; if it WAS heart related, and not necessarily RA, then they’ll be able to do something to help prevent further problems there, too. We’re lucky that such interventions are available to us. As for the the cold, your husband trying to catch it and your upcoming vacation in Jamaica, well, that just plain sucks. I can’t think of a single silver lining to that one. Except…
No sand fleas?
Thinking of you and sending plenty of calm (and smiles) your way. I hope the world starts looking a little brighter for you soon.
)
Oh, Carla, that sounds like a crummy day. Cortisone injections help so much, and it must be really disappointing to hear that you need surgery instead. sigh About the cold:
Hope you’re well soon and can take your Enbrel.
Thanks Wren, Socks and RA Guy: It’s nice to have a cheering section. I’m sorry I’ve got the grouchies, but all the warm mental hugs you sent are making me feel better.