United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everyone! I am still recovering from this tendon transfer in my shoulder.... it will be 7 weeks tomorrow! Yah--- I was SUPPOSE to get this brace off at 6 weeks, but at a followup- my surgeon decided that I needed it on for a couple more weeks.~sigh~

Its going okay though. I am already it PT. Nothing intense.... a lot of PROM and a little assisted ROM.

I won't lie-- it is still pretty darn sore- especislly after PT! But it has gotten a lot better for sure. It mostly hurts during the night and first thing in the morning...and after pt! haha

I have adapted REALLY well. I have mastered my little boys diaper changing... and worked on potty training in the meantime! He is getting close! I can work just fine and shop and drive and do mostly everything the same... well sort of!

I still cant do my hair myself- so my sister has been washing and braiding it for me. So nice and easy! hahaha

I have had my up and down days. I still have a hard time with all the stares I get. I dont mind explaining it to people, but I hate when people whisper and point.

I am glad that I did it though. I still have a long way to go- but its mostly therapy and strenthening. (My poor arm has atrophied pretty bad, its so skinny!) I am pretty much healed though! I see my surgeon next Wednesday and will probably get the "ok" to take the brace off!

Katy, its great to hear from you!!!
So glad every thing is going well and you have managed every thing except your hair. You have a great sister to help you through that!. Hope your pain goes away and you get some good sleep. Its no fun when you are not sleeping well.

CAn you do some pool therapy? I found my arm gained strength and didnt hurt at all during or after therapy when I had it in the pool. I gained strength so much faster in the pool! I was going three times a week for about 45 minutes in the pool. After that my arm was dead tired but it felt great!
Good luck with the appt. you have coming up next week please do let ud know what your doctor says!
Dont forget to relax when you can!

Thanks for the update!
Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

Thanks Amy!!

Ya know- I hadn't even thought about pool therapy! It sounds awesome. Did you do it on your own or did you have a therapist there helping you? I'll ask my pt or the doctor about that.

lol- there are a few more things I cant do yet... little thing you dont realize until you can't! Ex. tying shoes... Ive been wearing crocs or flipflops for 7 weeks! Cutting food, like meat, I feel like a little kid when we go out because someone else has to cut my food for me. Buttoning pants....thats embarrassing! hehehe
Folding laundry...though I dont miss that. I'm quite content with my mountain of clean laundry! lol

This has definitely been a "growing" experience!!

How is your arm doing since the surgery?? Are you pretty much there?? Still in therapy?

I had an OT working with me in the pool mostly to make sure I didnt try and go too far and hurt my self. She was also making sure I was keeping my scapula stable while doing the exercises. I was supposed to continue my pool therapy when I went to college but so far I havent been able to because I can not find a facility to use that I can afford. THe Y here charges astronomical fees and right now thats just not in my budget It would be amazing to continue with my pool therapy on my own, I was doing awesome! But I cant afford it right now.
Definitely suggest it to your doctor and PT, I think it could be awesome and its something you can do on your own after a few sessions if you need to.

Tying shoes, who does that, lol. I stopped tying my shoes in the summer of 2005 when I had hand surgery and couldnt tie them for 6 months due to casts and splints. Now I tye then a little loose and slip on! But now it is being lazy, its not that I cant anymore I just dont take the time to unless I have to.
I know what you mean about cutting meat, I hardly ever order a meat when I go out unless it is boneless and should be tender enough to cut with a fork. Pasta is my friend when going out!
As for buttoning pants, did you use both hands before?
I never had enough use of my hand to make it useful in buttoning my pants so I learned ways to do it one handed. I stick my index finger through the botton hole then loop it around the far side of the botton while pushing the button through the hole with my thumb. Keep trying, it can be done!

Love the laundry, thats totally me! if my mom didnt fold it last summer I would have been living from the mountain of clean laundry too. hehe

My arm is doing amazing things since surgery! I am so glad I chose to have the surgery, it was a miracle for me both in terms of function and pain relief. I still have absolutely no pain! And I am able to move my arm better and easier. I can now do my hair standing up! Its amazing, I never thought I would be able to do that.

I am kind of in therapy... I am seeing my OT at home on Monday for a new splint and probably check a few things. Then I have therapy in my college but its only with an OT student and only once a week for an hour. Not sure I am making any progress in there more so, I am teaching the student, but thats ok too.
I do miss being in therapy at home, I think I could make way more progress! But home is almost 3 hours from college so I cant see my OT at home much the rest of this year, only on breaks and weekends
I do have all my presurgery function back but I think there is potential for so much more!
I am going to buy a biofeedback unit and try that and see what progress I can make.

Soryy, that kinda turned into a book
Hugs,
Amy