While in the hospital I had a conversation with my wife Kadra. She was telling me about some of the injuries I sustained from the accident. One injury in particular was that of my right shoulder. My right clavicle was separated. If you look closely at my shoulder you can see a bone that looks as if it wants to pierce through my skin, In the days following my accident, the doctors decided that the shoulder was not a high priority given the extent of my other injuries and that it would be revisited later. However, they said the injury may require surgery to correct. If so, I would be looking at four to six months or recovery for that.
I remember being in the rehabilitation facility telling my wife and mother that I hope I didn't have to have surgery on my shoulder. I was already looking at a six month recovery filled with therapy for my leg. Another five or six months to recover for another surgery would have meant I would spend all of 2021 either in a hospital, rehabilitation center, and or going through physical therapy. Not the gift I wanted after trying to celebrate my birthday by riding my bike.
A few days after being released from the rehabilitation center, I had an appointment to see the orthopedic doctor. Upon meeting him, he began to tell me how he had been following my story. He said he admired my resilience and congratulated me on the progress I had made so far in my recovery. He then proceeded to examine my shoulders. Afterwards he reviewed an x-ray with my wife and I. He showed where the separation was located in my right shoulder. He also showed where my body had already started to grow more bone and said surgery to fix the separation would not be necessary. I was happy to hear that. He then proceeded to tell us that I had severe weakness in my right shoulder and some noticeable weakness in the left. He suspected there might be a rotator cuff tear and ordered an MRI to be sure.
As we returned for the follow up visit to get the results of the MRI, my wife and I were hoping for good news. Unfortunately that was not the case. The doctor showed us the images and pointed out the tears. He said if it where anyone else he would recommend therapy first and see how that worked. But since I'm heavily dependent upon my upper body and will be for the rest of my life, surgery to repair the tears would be my best option.
I did my best to hold back the tears that were welling up in my eyes for the remainder of the visit, but on my way out of the room they all came out. My wife consoled me and let me know it was ok to cry. She ask if I wanted to wait a minute in the room. I told her no and that I would be alright. My only thoughts were, how much more do I have to endure? How much more of this can I take? At this point, with all the surgeries I've had over my life, but the past 10 years in particular, going to the operating room is like going for my yearly checkup with my primary care doctor.
But as I have learned and always say, "Everything happens for a reason." I'm trusting in Romans 8:28 that states "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
With that being said, I will be embarking on a 5 Month Detour (Rotator Cuff Surgery) by the end of this month. I won't even be able to move my arm for the first six weeks. One arm and one leg. Please say a prayer for my wife that she will have the strength to endure being my caregiver through this recovery.
I'm not looking forward to the procedure, the pain, or the long recovery. But I am looking forward to the person I will become when it's all said and done. I tell my students all the time that the process is more important than the product. For it is through the process that character is either built, refined, or exposed.
Until Next Time...
P.U.S.H. Because No One Fights Alone. #WrightStrong
