Shoulders, Ballcaps, Bolsters ...and Strength!

Having had recent shoulder surgery, I've found it a bit challenging to do many things -  one of which is to do my hair.

This is a recent picture showing the shoulder immobilizer in place.
Fortunately, my sis-in-law, a former beautician, had just done my hair the day before!

To take care of my inability to fix my hair, I ordered a ballcap with a ponytail sewn in.
However, I haven't had many chances to wear it much, because

my husband has been having too much fun with it!!!

In facing a few challenges with my shoulder being immobilized, I am encouraged by some words written by the prophet Habakkuk.  He said:

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,

and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails,

and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the flocks die in the fields,

and the cattle barns are empty,

YET I WILL REJOICE IN THE LORD!

I WILL BE JOYFUL IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION!

The Sovereign LORD is my STRENGTH!

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Well, I know I don't have it that bad!  There are beautiful blossoms on my apple tree right now.  Whether they will bear fruit or not, I have no idea.

Apple blossoms in my yard this morning

But I do know this.  God tells me not to worry, but to give Him all my cares for He cares for me.  1 Peter 5:7


I am very thankful that I didn't have to have the rotator cuff repaired. It turns out that I had a large bone spur pressing on my rotator cuff, but it was not torn. What did need fixing was the biceps tendon that was badly torn.  Like a rotator cuff tear, it was fixed with a screw to hold it in place into the humorous bone in the top of the shoulder, and recovery and rehab will be similar.  I am so grateful to God that the tear did not completely rupture, for the surgery required would have been MUCH WORSE!


For a look at my post today for Names of God's on Rocks, and something to smile about - click here!

My rotator cuff tear & how it will be fixed

 I knew exactly when I injured my right shoulder.  Two young men, one of which was my grandson, were helping me burn a large pile of brush and debris that remained from the disastrous 2009 ice storm.  As the pile of brush burned down, long unburned tree limbs were left on the outskirts of the fire.  In demonstrating to the boys the need to get these to burn, I picked up a rather heavy tree limb and hurled it into the glowing coals in the center.  As I tossed it, I immediately felt discomfort in my right shoulder.

Because of recent bilateral knee surgery, I wasn't ready to go under the knife again and tried conservative methods of treatment.  My son-in-law gave physical therapy treatments and taught me exercises to strengthen and maintain the muscles, but after 2 to 3 months of therapy, I continued to have shoulder pain.  He advised me to see my orthopaedic doctor, and stated that I probably had a rotator cuff tear.

Still, I wasn't ready to give in.  I wanted to give God time to heal it if He chose, and I prayed for His healing touch.  Nearly two years later I am finally ready to let my orthopaedic doctor be part of God's plan of healing!    A painful flare up of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) in my left arm led to impairment of both arms, and I knew it was finally time to get something done.  An MRI confirmed my son-in-law's suspicions; I did have a torn rotator cuff. 

Click on picture to enlarge

Surgery is scheduled for March 14th.

I have peace about obtaining God's healing for me in this way,

even though it will involve more pain for awhile.

If this subject interested you, or you feel you might have this type of injury,

click on this LINK for more information.

Linking with Tracy, Courtney, and Charlotte.

Click here to see my Name of God for today.