getting old

I know anyone that continues to check the blog is probably a little suprised by this update. As I write this I'm at home in IL visiting my family. I arrived on Monday and have since been playing basketball, riding the four-wheeler, doing some lawn mowing and a whole lot of eating. Today is rainy and chilling so I'm enjoying a little downtime watching the news and playing on the intranet. One quick story to entertain:

My nephew and I are riding down the country roads on the four wheeler. I'm enjoying country air, taking a trip down memory lane prompted by the various sites and sounds of my old neighborhood, and I say to Tyler; "I wish I would have had a four wheeler when I was a kid." Tyler pauses and says, "did they even have four wheelers when you were a kid? I mean, had they been invented yet?" I'm officially old.

I don't really have a lot to say, but it had been awhile since I wrote on the blog and even I am getting tired of seeing the same 'ole shoulder shots on the first page. So, I thought I'd add a new one...

Can you believe its almost Christmas? I'm happy to say I'm three gifts away from being done with my shopping. No, I didn't go shopping on Black Friday! I don't like shopping the other 364 days a year; I'm definitely not going on that day! Nonetheless, I'm almost done.

Last Monday night I thought I'd take a cruise out to Opry Mills for a quick round of the mall. I thought "its Monday night...no one goes shopping on Monday night!" I might have been right about that, but what I wasn't counting on was the 400-500 teenage kids running around. Apparently there was some sort of conference going on and the kids were finished for the night. It was a stark reminder to me of my junior high days ---loitering around the mall, paying no attention to those around me, and trying to act as though I was about 10 years older than I actually was. (And all this was BEFORE cell phones!) The other night was madness. Kids running around, talking on the phone, running into people, standing...no...lying in exits. I literally had to step over someone to walk out of the mall. Needless to say, it expedited the whole shopping trip. I figured I was there, I might as well finish what I started.

(It was also my first night out of the sling; perhaps the kiddos would have been a little more attentive to the girl with the gimp arm had I kept it on.)

So, in summary....................I'm glad I'm not a junior high kid anymore.

Shoulder Update

Front of shoulder

Back of shoulder

Well it's been nearly four weeks since surgery and things are going pretty well. Much better than expected actually. I have physical therapy three times a week and though they kick my butt while I'm there it's really paying off. I can lift my arm over my head (after stretching), I can carry light-weight items, and today I tied my shoes!! I'm "supposed" to be in the sling another two weeks; but, I'll be honest I take it off now and then. It's funny how your body knows what it needs; I take it off when I feel cramped and put it on when it feels weak and apparently that is working for me. I CAN drive again, providing me with the independance I needed to feel better. I still can't write that much but typing is getting easier. It appears we use more shoulder muscles for writing than we do for typing. Who would've thunk it??

Season of the Senses

Barn at Gentry's Farm

Fall View at the Farm

Tyler hiding in the maze

Traci and Tyler with our findings -- the smallest and cutest pumpkins.

I love fall! I love the feel of cooler temps, sight of colorful leaves, the smell of bonfires, the sound of football, and taste of chili, gumbo, and s'mores. Fall is the season of the senses in my book and I love it!!

Fort the past several years, mom has brought Tyler for a fall visit. And one of our favorite things to do is look for pumpkins at Gentry's Farm in Franklin. This year's visit was full of fall festivities; corn maze, searching and carving the best pumpkin and attending a HUGE bonfire. We had a great time and I eagerly anticipate his next visit.

This weekend the trees have peaked in color and I'm hopeful to get out and take a few shots (to be posted later). And football.... Do I really need to tell anyone that the TITANS are 7-0??? I'm SO hoping to go to the game tomorrow. (Say a prayer that my friend ends up with an extra ticket!) If not tomorrow, I already have tickets to a December game, so I can wait patiently.

So during this season of the senses, I'm very content. I love thanksgiving; being with friends and family, eating good food, and watching football. I'm easy to please, what can I say?

Behind the Wheel ---not!

My car looks lonely, doesn't it?

Argh... so I called the doctor today to see if I could drive yet. I've been a good girl and haven't gotten behind the wheel (mostly because my friends wouldn't let me) and finally called the doctor, certain he'd give me permission to drive. Wrong. "Not until next week's appointment". Again, I say, ARGH!

I've been staying with a friend, so getting to work has been easy. Even getting home has been problem-free. My problem is I'm a list-maker, a task doer and I want to get some things done. Things I can't do on my own because I can't drive. So, until next week I'll get chauffeured around and save gas.

One last time...ARGH!

recovery update

just wanted to check in and give you all an update. i had the shoulder surgery on the 13th, according to the doc "it was really lose". (I knew that, that is why i opted for the surgery.) :) mom stayed with me through yesterday and i am now staying with a friend for the next few days. i can't drive yet and need some help getting dressed from time to time. i was progressing nicely until today, but am pretty sore now and am not sure why it hurts so much more today than yesterday. i took a few photos which i will post in a few days. i have my first day of physical therapy tomorrow and am hoping to work a half day in the afternoon. we'll see how that goes.

i am gonna see if i can catch some zzzz's. write more soon,

Here I Go Again

During my junior year of college I had what is known as a capsular shift to my right shoulder. I remember vividly, waking from the surgery and feeling as though there had been some terrible mistake. I couldn't move my arm at all! The next several months were days of physical therapy, sleepless nights, and a whole lot of dependance on my roommate, Sarah. Years of sports, chronic instability, and poor posture brought about this surgery and now about 10 years later it's time to do it again!

On October 13th I go under the knife again - only this time on my left shoulder. I knew several weeks ago that it was getting to be too much and that this day was likely inevitable. And indeed it is. Yes, I've been through this before and survived; but I gotta be honest --- the fact that I've been through this before causes me great anxiety. It's one thing to opt out of a class now and then, but I'm not likely to opt out of work any more than absolutely necessary. Relying on my roommate to wash my hair, button my pants and prop the pillows was a gift I likely took for granted. Mom is going to stay for a week following the surgery, but those simple day-to-day tasks could be a bit difficult for the next few months. I'm really dreading it. I've thought more than once, "Maybe I should just cancel it. Live through the pain and just be careful not to dislocate it." But, why put off til tomorrow what you can/should do today, right? I'm not getting any younger and its far more likely that I'll recover faster at 34 than I will at 44. So .... here I go again.

*** On a happier note: the TITANS are 5-0!!