Soon back home again (which home?)

On Thursday the 11th, I leave for Sydney again, arriving on Saturday the 13th. I bought the tickets some time ago; it's the last follow-up checkup for my rotator cuff surgery. Today I reserved a rental car - I've asked Vishnu if we can take Supadog out to the Blue Mountains on the day I get in. The funny thing about Australian national parks: no dogs. We'll have to find a local park that lets them in ... should be doable.

Shoulder surgery: education session

Today I had an information session with the surgery center. There were eight of us to get shoulder surgery next Tuesday 18 March. Only three of us are getting rotator cuff work; others are getting shoulder replacement and other things.

The session went over what the surgery involves. Mine is arthroscopic, which is minimally invasive. Three or four small incisions are made where a small camera is inserted and the surgeon gets to directly view the types of damage I have. According to the sonogram diagnostics, I have two or three of my four tendons torn.

Besides little cameras are little saws and I presume other little things that the surgeon can insert in there to do what he needs to correct the problem. For me, the torn tendons are reattached with little titanium anchors in the top of the humerus, reattached with what I think are nylon lines. Imagine fishing reel.

While he's doing this, I'm sitting up, and either conscious or unconscious. I think I will be unconscious, from the description provided.

Total recovery time is 6 months, with improvements in mobility noticeable after 6 weeks. I will wear a sling for several weeks.

Shoulder surgery

This afternoon, I went to see an orthopedic surgeon for a rotator cuff injury I've been dealing with. There are two separate tendons that are torn on my right shoulder (infraspinatus and supraspinatus). I've agreed to have surgery to reattach them, scheduled for next Tuesday March 18. Wish me luck.

The surgeon's office is out in Kogarah, about 17 km south and west of town. I took the train - it didn't take long at all to get there. The surgery will be outpatient; I have the option of remaining conscious during the procedure. I think I will.