As of Thurs. June 9, I ended my relationship with Slingy. Yes, I'm now Sling-free! Sing that to the tune of "Born Free" which as I recall was the theme song of a lot of graduations, not mine though.
Ever more physical therapy. I'm now using a dowel to lift and sway, using pulleys and this week started using a stationary bike thing that I use to rotate my arms. Sometimes I forget I can USE MY RIGHT ARM, rather than let it dangle there helplessly and pathetically. It's a really good thing!
On the other hand, being somewhat disabled has made me think of my mom who lost the use of her right arm and leg when she had a stroke. While I may never get back to 100%, my condition is temporary. Hers was not. I can appreciate her frustration now more than I did before. I like doing all the things she did; cooking, sewing, knitting, making art. All that stuff is either extremely difficult to do or impossible. All I can think is, "How awful for her." Talk about having a large part of your life taken away. So, while I may never lasso doggies, or play the violin, or do another triathlon, I'll be able to ski next season and probably do most everything I did before. I feel lucky.
So, since Slingy and I have parted, I've been able to start running again, do aerobics and Zumba--just no arm movement. That's ok. While I was still with Slingy, I completed the Bolder Boulder--had to walk it, in a blazing 1 1/2 hours. There're still somethings that I can't do--my armpits haven't seen a razor in 9 weeks. What?! Too much information? Created a bad visual? So sorry. But, I can almost do that shrug thing when you put on a coat or other upper body clothes. Yeah, sure, try doing it without the shrug--not so easy. I can scrub the dishes--whoopie. Thrilling.
Next appointment w/my doc, July 7, more exciting shoulder news then.
