9/6/2012

Rick saw the ortho yesterday. 
Yes, complete tear - about 2 cm long. 
Surgery is required to fix it.

Dr said that he could give a shot of steroid to reduce the inflammation, and a shot of cortisone - but it would only be a patch.

Said at Rick's age - it needs to be fixed.

A small cut and a couple of holes - general anesthesia and an arm/shoulder block. 
Will trim some of the arthritis off the joint, cut away a bone spur, move a bicep, may have to repair a tendon, and fix the rotator cuff tear.

About an hour to hour and half surgery.

In that morning, out that afternoon.

In Tyler @ ETMC. 

Will be in about 4-5 weeks.

Need to get it approved with worker's comp.

So, we are praying that they will just allow it.

No problems, no complications. 

After surgery - about 6 weeks in a sling.

Then begin physical therapy.

Will not begin strength rebuilding until the 12th week.

Dr said we are looking at about 4 months after surgery to return to work and up to a year for total healing to take place. 
Dr asked him if he has a recliner - Rick said, Yes.

Dr said, "Well, get it ready! Cause I don't want you sleeping in the bed for a while after surgery."

Good thing that Rick already sleeps in the recliner (even if he does deny it! LOL) ... 

After the last 5 days of intense and extreme bleeding, and talking with Linda @ Dr. Tris' office - they decided to send me for a CBC yesterday.

Total blood count is at 6.9.

Critically anemic. 
I am going to the hospital this morning for 2 units of blood.

I did see Dr. Tris for a minute yesterday.

He said that he wasn't going to wait too much longer on MDA for the hysterectomy.

He told me that he was trained to do this kind of hysterectomy 40 years ago, but that the world of research has made many improvements and advancements in this type of surgery during these 40 years.

Which is why he would prefer that a gyno-oncologist do the surgery. 
But it would be better for him to do the surgery and get it out, then for me to see a specialist afterwards - than to leave it all in too long. (I AGREE!!!) 

So, we continue to wait ... and to pray ...