On the road again

I positively, absolutely advise deep thought if one is contemplating shoulder surgery.  After an injury about one year ago, I was forced to embrace that challenge.  Torn rotater cuff, torn bicep, dislocated shoulder.  Ouch. Ouch and more ouch.  The surgery was a breeze, thanks to Dr. Nuber and Northwestern Memorial Hospital.  Don't remember a thing except the pain experienced afterward.  Of course, the little white pills took care of that, but nothing at all could take care of a cast that kept my arm up, up and away from the rest of me.
     Outdoor activities, trips, shopping, entertainment, work -- everything was curtailed. First and foremost, there was not a coat in my closet that could accommodate my cast, and me.  Second, Chicago was experiencing the worst winter I could remember. Unrelenting snow and brutal cold exacerbated the fear of walking, falling and damaging my fragile shoulder.  Thirdly, working with one hand and arm made dressing, showering, sitting and sleeping enormous challenges.  Do you have any conception as to the difficulty of slipping on and zipping up a pair of jeans...with one hand  How quickly one discovers shapeless, zipperless workout wear. As to showering?  Thank heaven for a nurse. Nothing more to be said.  Sleeping and sitting, on the other hand, were pretty much an identical routine.  Fall in to a chair, to sit, fall in to a chair to sleep.  Lying in bed was a no no.  A prone position was painful and posed a problem when attempting to rise.
      The pluses, surprisingly, were many:  one learns who one's real friends are; reading became an even more  joyous activity with the addition of a Kindle...so easy with one hand; Netflix became an incredible companion on my Samsung tablet; I discovered Phrynnie Fisher Mysteries, a delightful Australian series..thank you Netflix; Christmas shopping was a pleasure...online; WMFT delivered beautiful music, powerfully uplifting; and of course, restaurant deliveries...I love to cook, but what a wonderful vacation and opportunity to try a myriad of Chicago eateries.
      When the cast finally came off, there was absolutely no strength, either visible or invisible.  Rehab was to
take the next 4 months.  Improvement came in millimeters. But...I'm finally able to pick up a frying pan, dry my hair, type on the computer.  Oh, my arm use is not 100% back to normal and probably won't ever be--the older one gets, I've learned, the less likely is a full recovery. 
       Ah, but the joy or knowing I survived all the inconveniences is reason enough to hit the keys and write, again.