rotator cuff and energy

[Brooksy Chuck]

Since rotator cuff surgery 3 weeks ago I have been so tired. I have never had any surgery so I don't really have any idea what is normal. I have been doing the PT daily about 4x a day as told and turn to walk 15 or 20 mins. Today I started a new exercise called active internal and external rotation. The internal part is easy ..but externally really tight and sticky, was told not to push through pain. With the passive stretches I have really good range of motion laying down. Am using about 12 lbs of ice a day for the therapy machine, which has become my best friend. A buddy brought over a wonderful roasted chicken yesterday that was great because today I am too exhausted to worry about food...but making sure to do the problem exercise. Is it normal to be so tired after 3 weeks? Wondering if it is because of the crisis or because it takes twice as long to do everything using one hand?

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Recovery takes energy. Not only physical but also mental. Pain can be draining. Isolation can make pain and recovery even more tedious.

I highly recommend that you find a project to do at home besides your rehab exercises to lighten up your day. I wrote the last book while recovering from two back to back lumbar surgeries. Amazing what hydrocodone will do to my mind!

I was tired all the time no matter how much I slept. I knew it was more mental and emotional than physical. The only thing that got me out of that space was doing something I really loved and taking advantage of my downtime so that I did not feel I was wasting my life or using my recovery as an excuse for being lazy.

 

[Brooksy Chuck]

good idea Nelson i will keep working on doodles and maybe some other art. I have just been wiped out and consistently fighting some cold /lung stuff. Maybe getting back on the b12 shots might help some..dont see how it could hurt. I am not in too much pain so only taking the hyrdocodone at nite a small amount of 1 pill to help sleep as i am supposed to be sleeping up and not flat. that hasn't been easy, but the pain meds help- i don't want to get dependent on them though and am taking it in addition to the ambain. I did stop the lunesta because i was afraid of taking all three. some of this tired might be some greif too around relation, haven't heard from ex since she got back from NY the week after my surgery- thought she might check up on me.. but she hasn't. i did send her a nice christmas greeting and tried calling but no answer, maybe that is for the best- maybe next week i can dig out some acylics and a few brushes and see what the left arm can do to make a mess on canvas. that sounds like a project, considering i have no idea how to paint but have always wanted to.

I think i will do the b12 tomorrow and see if it helps. i have to make a walk out for more ice in the next two days so i will need the extra energy, if i can get some! thanks for your words of support!