My summer just went down the crapper (Page 1 of 3)

I've had a problem with the rotator in my left shoulder for about ten years now. Doctors have treated it with Ibuprofen and Vicodin when it flares up and told me the surgical solution was way more painful and involved a long rehab process which I've never had the luxury to do. Then back in Oct. I have a cancerous tumor removed from the left side of my neck, there was no hemmin' or hawwin' about this procedure. The resulting nerve damage left my left side ear, neck, chin, upper chest, and shoulder about 60-70% numb. Needless to say I don't have as much trouble with the rotator as I used to. I don't recomend this process just as I tell people I don't recomend a 40# weight loss by going through radiation treatments either. I guess there's a silver lining in all this after all.  I've watched two friends go through your procedure and it was no cake walk, but they are both fully recovered with full mobility. Good luck buddy!!!

                                                                                     Better Living Through Chemistry,

                                                                                     J Dawg

Bill,
My stepdad has had the procedure done twice--once on each shoulder.  He was a body builder and I believe that is how he injured them.  One surgery he had over fifteen years ago and the other was about six months ago.  All I know is that you don't talk to him for the first week of surgery because he was not a happy camper.  He is like a superman and thinks he doesn't need the time to heal like everyone else and went out cutting trees shortly after his latest surgery!  He ended up with a terrible staph infection and took much longer to heal, but has recovered fine.  Technology is so great.  This time he had a chair dropped off at the house that he used to do the physical therapy.

I wish you luck Bill!  I think one Summer off will be worth it.

Hey Buddy Bill,
         They say you can't keep a good man down, I know you are such a man!  All will go well and I'm sure other great activities & opportunities will pop-up and keep you smiling.  I keep watching for a Chicago area concert, long past due on a roadtrip to my sister's and of course, we would be so delighted to see you again....oh and that Joe guy, too.  lol
                                                                            luv ya'
                                                                                Patty

P.S.  Rhonda & I have been joking that we will probably have to hitchhike to Joe shows since we're both putting kids in to college this upcoming fall, so if you happen to be tooling down the highway and see us with our thumbs up, please pick us up. 

"I'm not nice to any guitar!"     
                 Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12

JBLP CHILD #184

Thanks for the input everyone. It's helpful to know people have gone through this and come out OK on the other side. I've seen so many people go through much worse than this, including some of the people on this forum. My daughter is having her 6th ankle surgery in March and has been dealing with her injury for 1 1/2 years. JDawg, I thought of you and her (and all you've been through) as I was writing my initial post.  I still count my blessings every day.

Cathy, I guess I'd rather have the doctor be upfront about the reality of the surgery than to sugar coat it. That's me though...he could scare some people away from necessary surgery with that approach. Not having the surgery never entered my mind.

Shred, thanks for your thoughts. I'm going Tuesday for the second opinion. I would never go through anything like this without getting another opinion...I hope they tell me "you're ugly too".

I also got some great ideas on how to treat my "new found" time and money. Let's see, I probably spend an average of $50 per week on golf, say at least 20 weeks, that's $1000. Guess I can take a few road trips to see Joe!

Hey Bill,
Sorry to hear pain is in your path.  One of my neighbors had the surgery, she's addicted to tennis...plays constantly since she was real young.  The surgery was successful, she's playing tennis again, giving private lessons and coaching a high school girls varsity tennis team.  Definitely do the second opinion and even the third if the second one doesn't agree with the first one, because then sometimes it leaves you confused.  OBEY YOUR DOCTOR and most importantly push yourself in physical therapy, make sure you go to a PT that has experience with shoulders and your current situation!  

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter, the mechanics of the whole foot & ankle system is way more complicated than meets the eye! I wish her good luck!

I have an engineering conference in Vegas in early April, so I'm hoping to hold out until that's over, so probably mid April...unless the doc insists I need to do it sooner.

Yes Nancy, the same overhere but unfortunately it seems 'normal' because we all get older.......
There are many 50+ on this forum and I'm one of them too.

Health is the most precious thing there is, so enjoy every day, you never know what's coming tomorrow.
Lost my mother at 63, my father at 65 and my sister ar 44, my only lovely brother is schizophrenic and lives in protection.

SO ENJOY WHEN YOU CAN!
With Joe and good music beside you!

Andre Wittebroek.

Sorry to hear about your shoulder. Look at it this way, it could be worse. It could be surgery on your ears, not allowing you to take in any Joe shows this summer. Hopefully Patty and I will be able to catch up with you this summer at a show. Your non surgery arm should be able to hold the beer, eh? lol

~Rhonda