Surgery finally over!

[CRUZTAKER]

Well, after 11 months of discomfort, the last 9 weeks being unbearable 24/7 pain, I finally got my shoulder fixed.

Surgery took nearly two hours. For this doctor, that's a little long as he pumps out an arthroscopy at an average of one every 40 minutes to total as many as 8-10 patients a day!

This is my third, first on this shoulder though. The wonderfull hospital meds have worn off, and now I'm not so happy. But atleast I know as each day passes, I will be better an stronger. My physician in not pro pain treatment, and the measly meds of 20 tylenol #3's just don't cut it. I'll never understand docs like that. Just for a day I wish he could feel what this is like, little alone over several days.

I just called his answering service, and I'm betting I won't get a return call until Monday or so....typical of this fellow....spend $10,000 and your thrown to the curb. Last time I requested meds, it took him 4 days to respond.:mad:

Attached is a lovely pic of....well....my shoulder joint before and after I assume. I can't make heads or tails of it, but it's a cool pic.

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/627shoulder-med.jpg

[Haggis]

Glad to hear that ordeal is over for you. Now don't push it give it time to heal. If the doctor won't give you pain meds you can always take the liquid kind, like you don't already. :beer:

We will pray for a speedy recovery for you and patience for Jessica.

[FiveO]

Glad it all worked out Barry.

I did a search warrant last week and found a 5 year old bottle of Vicodin...if that'd help!

;) Actually....I hope he does respond soon, pain of that sorts is not good.

Best of luck.

[Haggis]

Glad it all worked out Barry.

I did a search warrant last week and found a 5 year old bottle of Vicodin...if that'd help!

;) Actually....I hope he does respond soon, pain of that sorts is not good.

Best of luck.

That's too young put it down in the basement and give it another 10yrs at least.

[martyo]

We will pray for a speedy recovery for you and patience for Jessica.

I am right there with Gordon.

Here's a to a speedy recovery! :beer:

[MarauderMark]

Glad to hear your ok :) Sure wish i could send up some medicine :rasta: .Allways worked for me :D

[SouLRioT]

hope is well, I always liked benadryl after a surgery so I would go back to sleep and forget about it.

[NAVCHAP]

Praying for you as you heal! Keep us posted! -kjs-

[TechHeavy]

Hi Barry!

I wish it were legal for me to share my left-over vicodin from a previous "procedure"! I'm with ya man! Hang in there! Like in that Adam Sandler movie, "Waterboy" where the guy keeps saying, "You can do it!"

[martyo]

I always liked benadryl after a surgery

Benadryl???? Those are like breath mints to Barry!!!

:rofl: :rofl:

[Smokie]

Barry, glad the surgery went well my friend, call your primary care doctor and ask him for some pain meds. Hope you heal well...and soon.:D

[Bluerauder]

Well, after 11 months of discomfort, the last 9 weeks being unbearable 24/7 pain, I finally got my shoulder fixed.
Wow, now we are starting to do mods on the Marauder Owners !! :rofl: Here's to a speedy recovery and me and the S.O.B. hope the pains subside quickly. :up:

[merc406]

Wish I could help you on the pain, I got some good stuff, in the mean time keep callin till they crack and prescribe a better pill.
Were pullin for ya, take care, Lar

[Petrograde]

Damn Barry,.. You need a new Doc!

My dentist is pro pain treatment! He passes out Vicodins like candy. :D

I hope you're feeling better.... have you tried some Tequila? Tequila always makes me feel better. When I was in the Army, I considered it a food group! :lol:

Maybe you can get a nice combat bottle of Soju for a Korean market!

[CRUZTAKER]

Thanks for the kind wishes....

UPDATE:
I broke down, literally, and went to the ER down the street. The nurses know of my physician, and were totally empathetic. They changed my bandages, as they had soaked so badly that blood was leaking out all the untaped edges.

I received a shot of morphine, and a bottle of 12 percocets to hold me over till I see this crazy doctor Monday. Nice....but oddly, it still hurts like hell. I couldn't imagine what it would be like with NO meds.

As far as this doctor. I would love to be done with him, but he is a true pioneer in his field. Many of the procedures now used today regarding knees, hips, and shoulders, he perfected in the late 60's. He is one hell of a surgeon, but one hell of anti-personal.

[MENINBLK]

Hi Barry,

Here's hoping you have a speedy and *painfree* recovery.

I wish I could help you out with the pain but my wife works in a Urologist's office,
and all we can offer you is Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis.

None of them will do anything for the pain, but I'm sure they would put a smile on your face! :)

[BillyGman]

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/627shoulder-med.jpgLooks like you did too many burnouts w/that shoulder Barry! Anyway, I know what you mean about some surgeons. it seems that the ones that are very good let their accomplishments go to their head, and as a result they have a terrible bedside manner, and are downright arrogant. Unfortunately for many people it boils down to a choice between a Doc like that, or one who isn't very good at what he does.

[jgc61sr2002]

Hi Barry - Thinking of you. Hope you are feeling better. Anyway the worst part is over. This ones for you :beer: .

[Patrick]

Hang in thier Barry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mpearce]

Good luck Barry! Hey listen...if you need me to drive your Marauder for you while you're recovering, I'm right down the road. I might even come over on weekends and type on MM.net for you if your shoulder is hurting. Make sure you relax man, you need it.

-Mat

[Ken]

Wow, now we are starting to do mods on the Marauder Owners !! :rofl:
Now we know why Barry hasn't splurged on the Supercharger, had to save some money for the shoulder modification.

I feel your pain, just from looking at those pictures. No wonder you are done for the season.

Ken

[the_pack_rat]

:eek:

Glad I didn't see these pics @ dinner time.

Have a speedy recovery.

Eric

[Petrograde]

Like Billy said,... given the choice,.. I'll take Dr. Antisocial over Dr. TouchyFeely... and I mean that on all levels. :lol:

Also,.. I'm glad to hear ya got some proper meds! :rasta:

[rayjay]

Barry, hope you feel better soon. Be careful with how much of that stuff you take. My wife found loose in the yard talking to the trees after I had my wrist reconstructed... My pain meds intake was then closely monitored by the boss.

[Bluerauder]

Tequila always makes me feel better. When I was in the Army, I considered it a food group! :lol:
I never understood why Jack, Jim, Johnny, and Jose were consider Class VI ... I was using them as Class I. :rofl:

The Army's 4 basic food groups: coffee, tequila (or equal), pizza, and McIllhenny's tabasco sauce. :D

[Haggis]

I never understood why Jack, Jim, Johnny, and Jose were consider Class VI ... I was using them as Class I. :rofl:

The Army's 4 basic food groups: coffee, tequila (or equal), pizza, and McIllhenny's tabasco sauce. :D

Coffee- Lifer juice
Tequilla- Liquid Heaven
Pizza- Dietary requirment
Tabassco sauce- Priceless

[BlackHole]

Get well soon. Talk to you later.

[MERCMAN]

Guess you will be back starting in the lineup for the Indians at spring training now :up:

Get well fast!!!

[mpearce]

Guess you will be back starting in the lineup for the Indians at spring training now :up:

Get well fast!!!Even with a bad shoulder, Barry is probably better than most Indians pitchers!

-Mat

[CRUZTAKER]

I'll tell ya, if I didn't have bad luck......

About the time I did my pre-surgical testing, last thursday, poor Gage was coping with his last of four days of a stunning stomach virus that had him heaving everything out one end or the other.

When Jessica picked me up Friday night after the surgery, she became suddenly, and overwhelmingly ill. Same thing. Poor girl slept on the bathroom floor (yes, took my favorite spot), and literally discharged and slept for the last 20 hours....still sleeping actually, but done hurling.

Well, you know where this is headed.....:puke: at 1:30 this afternoon, the virus hit me like a ton of bricks. Can't keep the medicine down, so now I am back at stage one, sore and without pain killers. It's not too bad today though. I got bored after a 6 hour nap and took the bandages off. Holes look nice. I got creative 1/2 hour ago and crunched up some percocets in a spoon and took them with just a touch of water. If I can keep it down, I'll be doing ok in about 10 minutes.

So it's official. Jessica and I are shot, haven't eaten in two days, can't stay awake, and Gage has official run of the house! OMG...It's like home alone around here when I woke up....:lol:

[Bigdogjim]

All we can do is PRAY for y'all and laugh along with you:):)

Get well soon, please:up:

[Haggis]

...and Gage has official run of the house! OMG...It's like home alone around here when I woke up....:lol:

Gage is in charge. PARTY!!!!

[martyo]

Gage has official run of the house! OMG...It's like home alone around here when I woke up....:lol:

I can't do much for the barfing, but I am suffering from a partial empty nest and would be happy to take Gage off of your hands!

[Petrograde]

Jeez Barry that really sucks! I hope y'all feel better soon,.. in the meantime, just go paint a big red X on the front door. :puke:

[Bradley G]

Hey Barry,

I hope this post finds you well (OK....At least better!!)Does this mean an arm wrastleing match is out of the question??;)
Bradley G

[GordonB]

CRUZTAKER,
Get well soon! Got my shoulder `scoped 14 months ago right before my daughter's wedding. Had a bone spur digging into my nerve that goes down my right arm. Was told to expect immediate relief, but that the full healing process would take 6 months.
Was yours a bone spur?
GordonB

[Ross]

Praying for your rapid recovery, buddy.

[NickLee]

Hope you are doing better, best wishes.

[CRUZTAKER]

Here are some pics three days after the surgery. We had just removed the bandages the nite prior so I had tape stuck all over me. The bandaids cover the three scope holes, of which two are the size of a bic pen. The drain hole, on the backside of my shoulder is slightly smaller than a penny.

The bruising is really purple today, all that is yellow in these pics, is purple today. Hurts really bad in the front, and the swelling has the shoulder feeling as hard as a rock. It is definately getting better already, and mobility is at what I would estimate at 35%.

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/627SHOULDER_AFTER2-med.jpg
http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/627SHOULDER_AFTER-med.jpg

[mpearce]

Only a penny a day well help a starving person... :)

Barry...I'm taking you out to dinner dude!! You need some prime rib, and potatoes!! I'll make sure to set this up before Christmas!

Talk to you soon.

-Mat

[Joe Walsh]

Barry,

Hope your recovery progresses well. When do you start with the Physical Terrorist?...oops, I meant THERAPIST!
Joe

[CRUZTAKER]

Tomorrow!!:bigcry:

[Petrograde]

Hey Barry ,... just a thought,.. get really f****d up right before phyical therapy.

A couple of shots would prob'ly help take the edge off? :lol:

[Joe Walsh]

Hey Barry ,... just a thought,.. get really f****d up right before phyical therapy.

A couple of shots would prob'ly help take the edge off? :lol:

Be Careful!!!

Nurse Ratchit (sp?) might not like a drunk patient!! :(

[CRUZTAKER]

Can't do it.

They closed thier downtown office for therapy sessions. Used to be a 10 minute ride in both directions. Now it's in Chagrin Falls, 42 miles each way, and nearly an hours drive on 35 mph roads.

I cannot even take my meds before I leave because of the amount of driving involved.

[Patrick]

Tomorrow!!:bigcry:

I'll trade my appointmant for yours!!!!!!! Hang in thier!!!!!

[drobin]

Barry,

Lorraine and I wish you a speedy recovery!! How are you going to wash you MM ?? Remember no bowling !!!!!


drobin
"Donald"

[CRUZTAKER]

*UPDATE*

After a hell of alot of therapy I am at what I consider myself to be 75% strength and 70% range of motion. I need to work on stretching in certain directions.

I can do alot of the things I once did, but the pain in the joint where the repair occurred still averages a 5 and when I make a sudden wrong move, brings me to my knees at better than 10.

My return to work date has been extended to January 17th.

I get to troll the web and do household funtions a little longer....:woohoo:

[rayjay]

Barry, good to hear that you are progressing nicely. Take your time, don't rush it. I pushed to get back to work after shattering my left wrist in 99. All I did was make my full recovery time longer.

[Ross]

Barry, the real question is, can you still race? :rolleyes: Hang in there and take it slow, buddy.

[jaywish]

Hi Barry,

I glad to see your repair is comming along.

SLOW is the key.

I think I mentioned I had to go back for round 2 on mine. I haven't started therapy yet but here is the good news.

The band aids I was using after the staples were removed was irritating a mole just an inch from the cut. (he used the same scar to go back in for the second repair).

Since the mole was bothering me I had it checked out. Darn good thing. It was melanoma. So far so good, had the surgery for that on Monday and the prelims on the excised lymph nodes look good so far.

Sometimes things kind of work out in a very strange way. If I hadn't torn my shoulder apart repeatedly I probably would have wound up dying from the dam cancer. Now I should be able to live and continue being my usual pain in the butt.

Of course therapy willl be comming soon. I just have to remember not to overdo it. That's really hard.

Jay

[Ross]

Jay, it sounds like the Lord was looking out for you. Don't forget to thank Him for it! Glad to hear the good news. :beer:

[CRUZTAKER]

Wow, good deal Jay!

Good luck on YOUR recovery. I started weight training this week, man o man, this shoulder is aching BAD now.:(

[jaywish]

Thanks.

Watch the weights. That's where I blew it after the 1st surgery. Everone thought everthing was AOK and I moved into the final phase, power lifting no holds bared. That lasted about 3 sessions untill I tore it again.

Slow all the way.

Jay

[jparrie]

I'll tell ya, if I didn't have bad luck......

I got creative 1/2 hour ago and crunched up some percocets in a spoon and took them with just a touch of water. If I can keep it down, I'll be doing ok in about 10 minutes.

:

You could always hack together some percocet suppositories :-)