Stitches not staples...

Late this afternoon we met with the orthopedic surgeon. He checked Tramp 1's incisions - yes, there are three of them, two small and one over three inches long - and he removed the stitches. We thought he had staples... He explained that he had to cut a tendon to reach some of the problem area, so Tramp 1 will be wearing his special appliance/brace for at least two more weeks to protect his shoulder while it heals. He will start physical therapy on Friday and will continue for three weeks. He can't go back to work yet and that is really bothering him.


All in all, it hasn't been too bad. Keeping up with his medication schedule was the worst part. He was on four different pain medications and an anti-inflammatory. He thought that he was doing well but he really was pretty loopy. It was difficult to convince him of that... He is much better now as he has weaned off all his medications (getting cranky, too!). But for awhile there I did feel pretty darned stressed out trying to reason with him. One day I found that he had moved the car out of the garage and I was upset that he had tried to drive. But he hadn't - he pushed the car outside!! He is so tenacious!

In hindsight, we would not have scheduled his colonoscopy/endoscopy and shoulder surgery just a week apart. Being under anesthesia for two events back to back seems to really wreak havoc with a body.

Now, selfishly, I hope he heals very quickly. We need to build more raised garden beds so we can be ready to plant as our weather warms. We are supposed to have frost again this week...