Back to DetCon 7

...having a pretty tough time with my back and my shoulder. Musta been over used! I had a disagreement with Paul on treatment and had no heat before therapy....also not comfortable for my pain level. And I got crazy and I'm still not over it.

I guess I have some thinking to do about continuing with him and his course of treatment............. sigh............Drama Queen

Mark the Date!!

Hey! Finally something really good to report.....I raised my arm over my head almost without stopping. I have a slight hitch in the middle somewhere and I can only do it a couple of times before my muscles start quivering but I am so pleased!! (insert happy face here)....I promptly cut my rehab down to twice a week.....

I was also discharged by Dr. Mazor for my back issues. My muscles are still in spasm some but I feel almost back to normal and I have a few more P.Ts to go. He said finish up the PT and call it a day unless I feel worse at some point. I have to say, he is a very nice guy. You know I'm all about the kind of Doc that doesn't act like God and can relate to me like a person and he was very genuine and kind. I would happily refer friends to him at the Greater Washington Orthopedic Group.

So, if you see my driving by....watch out for a right handed wave....I'm working on it! That Dr. Hottie.....he got skills....

Rehab and Resting

Taking the weekend easy....Colleen worked this morning,so did Sean. So Pat took me out to breakfast. Then I took him out for a haircut...I mean really! He was starting to look like Billy Preston, now he looks like he's back in the Navy.

Rehabbed with Paul 3 times this week. My back is starting to feel better and my arm is getting stronger too. I am keeping up the rehab for 6 more weeks and as I mentioned, not seeing Dr. Stein until December. Nothing much else going on....ttfn! XOXOXOXOX-AL

I am giddy about my visit to see Doctor Hottie today! I coulda kissed him....I even brought my bone stimulator to show to him...he's just so nice and so cute!

Today's visit to Dr Hottie and Friends.....

I must admit that I was a bit apprenhesive today when I was getting ready to go see Dr. Hottie....would he still be his handsome charming self? Would he have some good things to say this time? These and many other questions were going through my head....as I screamed at the traffic and swore at drivers on the beltway and it was really congested as I got closer to the University.....and those students! All walking around and crossing the street like they own the place....anyone ever hear of elevated crosswalks? How unsafe is it now????

Anyway, I pulled into the parking lot just minutes ahead of Dr. Hottie and he jumped out of his car and hollared good morning across the lot....what a nice guy, huh? We walked in together grumbling about the traffic together...he had a 90 minute commute so I shut up....mine was only half that....and he held the door open for me (good manners count! His mother needs a big kudos for that). Look at the picture and tell me what is missing? I will tell you at the end.....you may need to review the previous pics of the Doc to figure it out.

I checked in with the desk and went into handy room Number 1 to await my call for x-rays. Luane was new last time I was there and I guess she is working out since she was still there this time BUT she insists, no photos.....so she will be an enigma for the purposes of this blog.

The x-rays are quick since I just go in and assume the position...you can only be told how to pose so many times before they just don't have to tell you anymore.....and so without any adieu, here they are...









You can click on these and see them closer.....there is some real bone growth on the inside of the bone close to the metal rod....so even though the outside 'v' shaped crack is not likely to heal anymore than it is, the other side is making a connection that will support the hardware and prevent me from having to get a bone graft or more surgery!!! Wahoo! Wahoo! I felt a little like doing a happy dance right there in the office but I think maybe the Doc thinks I'm bordering on certifiable already, so I figured why push it...?

Today we had a guest newbie in training....Dr. Jackie Karp. Isn't she cute? I guess there must some kind of requirement that says all the med students must pass a certain 'cuteness' scale before they are allowed to sign up with UM. Doctor Hottie seems to have a new one each time I come to see him... Seriously, Dr. Karp is a Resident so she is one of the next generation of Ortho Gods and Goddess' from UM.

So, I dazzled the Doc by raising my arm (with the spider walk across my head) over my head and demonstrated that I can use 2 hands to wash my hair!! It's the first time in almost a YEAR....a whole freakin' year!!! I know it doesn't seem like much to all of you with two good arms but let me just tell you....it's a small miracle to me! And the doctor was happy for me...he was almost surprised to see how I could lift my arm up and hold it there....he said it was already an even better outcome than he had hoped for before he operated on the rotator cuff. I feel good about that and I'd like to thank the Academy for choosing to recognize this astounding accomplishment....no really, I have to give kudos to Doctor Hottie. He's not just a pretty face, he's an amazing guy (of course he is from Jersey, so it's practically a given) He has, no doubt, had the love and support of his parents, Mrs. Doctor Hottie and the staff that he has trained to a fine tuned team. God Blessed him with amazing skill and I am so lucky to have found him...! God was looking out for me (he was feeling guilty for knocking my big ass off that ladder)

So, now I will continue working with my therapy team and using my bone stimulator for the next three months and see Dr Hottie just in time for Christmas....I don't go back until Dec 8th. but just before I left, I got to see the pictures of Doctor Hottie's new babys....he has 2 little Pomeranians, a boy and a girl....oh, he was whining a little about the housebreaking but he was beaming when he showed me their picture....I said he was just practicing and just wait if he decides to have a human baby....this will all be good practice. I am feeling really encouraged and might even stop whining so much....XOXOXOXOX :) AL


P.S. Doctor Hottie is missing his......tie! First time I have seen him without one, except for surgery day when he wore his scrubs....he's still cute in a casual kind of way....grrrrrrrr

...and here comes O

Here he is....It's 'O' He was playing shy before and didn't want to have his picture taken but today I followed him around the place until he held still for me to take his picture. He's doing his Eddie Van Halen imitation in the first picture and just being his adorable self in the 2nd one.....someone be sure to tell him that he's the only guy that got 2 pictures on the blog!



I had my therapy session today at 4 and i am going to need to keep going for another 6 weeks....they'll all be good and sick of me by the time I check out!!!

ttfn-XOXOXO-AL

Physical Therapy, the rehab team!!

Ok, it's homage to Montgomery Therapy day.....when you enter the office you are greeted with the lovely office crew....Theresa and Sheena. These are the babes that make it all happen....call to remind me when I have to come across the street, take my money and write me my BIG receipts!! They are sooooooo good. Both are single and ready to mingle....any takers should call 301-417-2652.....and take a number. I have been going to see them for the last month or so about 3 times a week....they are likely getting sick of me.


Once I make it past the front desk, I head for the back to begin my visit. One of the fellas will get my heat packs together and the next ten minutes, I cook on the heat pads.....the one for my back gets pretty hot and sometimes, I have to roll off it before it is done....but the heat loosens everything up nicely and then I am ready to see Paul. The two guys to the right are Minh and Jay and on the equipment (fooling around) is Osirus or just 'O' to me.


There are several therapists at the place but I see the main dude, my own personal Mr. Hottie Therapist, Paul Whittaker.....he's also the President.....I always like to go right to the top.




The ones I like best are below....Elane and Barbara. They don't work on me but they are always there and we chat.....I'm not sure that they have ever had anyone that complains and whines as much as me. I sometimes just say no when O tells me to do something.....and then Mr. Smiley....Paul Whittaker! And they are very hard to photograph.....no one wants their picture taken....I think they afraid they will wind up here and
I will say bad things about them....but I love them all and they have no fear. I almost always feel better after I have been to the office....but every once in awhile it feels like someone has beat the shit outta me after I have been there.

I have to give some props, I washed my hair this week with 2 hands! I know, I know, so what? Well, I was able to use my arm and even though I had to crawl my fingers over my head, once I got my arm up, I could hold it there and use 2 hands to wash my hair!! It's been just short of a year since I could do that....baby steps, but it is progress and I am feeling hopeful. Now as long as I could just grow some bone.....I'll be all set.

I will update after my visit to Dr Hottie on Tuesday the 15th. I will be sure to get a picture of the x-ray so you can see if there is some improvement....until then XOXOXOXOOX - Anne

Lots of Catching Up to do....

Wow....sorry kids. I'm not sure what happened but I seem to have lost control of keeping up.

OK, my arm? Still progressing...in physical therapy now for my shoulder and I am also seeing them for my neck and back from the accident. Lots of heat, massage and stretching for the back and neck and some beginning exercises for the shoulder and I got my bone stimulator!!

After much adieu with the insurance people and the doctor's office, the Smith & Nephew rep, Alisha brought me my Exogen Ultrasound Bone Healing System. Isn't she cute? She is holding the box over her baby bump...she's being shy. Alisha came to my office and showed me show to hook up and use the system. She reviewed the data which shows measurable difference in as little as 3 weeks but usually closer to 6. I am excited to give it a try....anything is better than another surgery.....no offense Dr. Hottie but I have kinda had enough of the whole shoulder/arm thing.....

So I have used my machine 9 times....it will be 11 by the time I see the doctor on Tuesday........everyone say a prayer. I'm out for now....will post from PT shortly.

XOXOXOXOX - Anne

well.....I DO have my car back

BUT....the electrical system keeps losing the lights on the dash
but i have been assured it has nothing to do with the repair
work....huh? The final bill for my car...$5800.
Good thing I drive a tank or it might have been much worse...
tomorrow I go see Paul, my physical therapist, ready to get this
party started, finally...I will post tomorrow to let you know how it
goes... XOXOXOXOX-AL

Worried that I am neglecting my readers...

Just haven't been feeling it this week. Mostly resting when I get home...wish i could sleep more but that is not in the cards for me...I'm hanging in and waiting for some changes, any time soon. Wish I had something positive to add but not yet......XOXOXOXOXO - AL