Laziness

I rode Rowlett Creek Preserve last month; July 16th. It was hot; 101. Got in just under 12 miles; felt good. I see the need for some weight training to build upper body strength. When my chest, arms and back start feeling the fatigue, my control and trail finesse drop off drastically, even though I have plenty of 'juice' left for pedaling. This causes some mental stress as I have to concentrate harder on the periphery knowing my capacity to anticipate and react is diminished. This stress increases heart rate and tenses muscles; adding to the level of fatigue thereby repeating and speeding up the cycle. Besides, what guy doesn't want to be buff, or at least a little less flabby...

So, I think I'll look for some dumb-bells and a bench. Maybe Craig's List...

Statii

My friend, Dave, arrives home from his half-way-'cross-country bicycle trip tomorrow, 24 days after his departure. I'm sure his home coming will be warm and sweet; as I imagine mine would after so many days away from Glenna, Caleb and Ashlyn. Right now I can't see myself ever having a desire to make such an effort, certainly not alone. However, when my shoulder is long since back in riding form, I've worn through more than a few sets of tires and bike frames and maintaining my level of fitness demands a bigger challenge than can be coaxed out of a local trail between work and bed time; I'm sure Mr. Hill will be willing to offer his sage wisdom in all things pedal-adventurous.

So as far as my shoulder goes - which isn't very far but still farther than last post - I've been without the sling for a number of days, perhaps 4 to 6... I slept on my side of the bed last night. I've also learned that 2 hours at the laptop in it's usual place on the end of the table is not good when muscles are in the mood to stay in any given position for an unnatural while. It's best to frequently change positions, mainly by changing "tasks". That way I have an easier time adjusting to the sleep position and, of course, sleep itself.

Today is 3 weeks since the fall. Another week and some moderate weight training may be hazarded for a more timely complete recovery. I'll ask around, take small bites and leave some time between bites to listen for my body's reaction.

Now to see if I have any friends with physical training experience that could give me some rehab advice.

Better

Can't complain. Making progress. Greater range of motion. May even try to shoot a couple clays at tonight's 4-H shotgun practice. Still sleeping on my back; snoring becoming an issue again. I'll get Glenna some ear plugs.

Tighter than a...

... neck after a shoulder sprain. That's about it. Tight.

Forgot my sling, yesterday morning. Managed the whole day without it. I've been slipping it off to do some everyday tasks, lately. Last night's laundry folding, tonight's dinner. I've got a nice green'ish yellow bruise on the upper half of my left pectoral. I've found it's more comfortable to release the sling and rest my fore-arm on the door arm-rest. I can't extend it enough for turn signals and e-brake release kind of stuff, and I'm a long way away from being able to ride a bike. Unless the handle bars are well above the level of the seat, not 1 to 2 inches below like I need.

My Arm is fine. No numbness or tingling; even the small scratches are healed. All the pain is in the torso side of the shoulder joint. All these muscles and tendons are on strike if not on light duty. It's going to take some smooth negotiations to get the union back to full production.

Comfortably Numb

You know that numbness you get when you've slept awkwardly hampering proper blood flow to your arm? Well, it's like that but not. It's not in that there is no numbness, but it is in that no matter how much to will a joint to articulate it just flat refuses. I'm either picking it up with my other hand or having to concentrate on one isolated movement at a time, so that my left arms sees that I mean it no harm.

I'm on the second of the three heating pads I bought yesterday. I'll do a full day of work tomorrow, go by to see my sister then possibly head home for a little bit before going to a graduation party in Arlington. I'll attempt a few range-of-motion exercises while at the office, wearing the sling most of the day, and save the last heating pad for Tuesday.

Still having to sleep on my back; found a position with a pillow under my arm to put the shoulder in a more neutral position. Been taking the pain meds only at night. Took a half dose yesterday afternoon with no noticeable side affects. May need a hit after work tomorrow.

So far, so good?

Put the sling through the laundry. While washing, made a run to The Hawks Nest for lunch, before a short shopping trip to Target.

Lunch was good and reasonably priced. I can vouch for their iced tea, chefs salad and club sandwich. It seems to be a relatively new family run business. Can't complain - all things considered. We'll see how they do over the test of time. I hope it's good. The world needs more places like that.

Target was the usual, though we managed to stick to our list, or well within a reasonable margin. Having a Starbucks in house is great for caffeinating or calming, depending on your poison of choice, before a foray into the devil's den of well researched retail marketing strategy.

One item on the list was a box of the adhesive disposable heating pads. Have one wrapped across my left shoulder as I type. The adhesive didn't stand a chance against my grisly haired hide, but a snugly fitting "under armor'ish" shirt is keeping it in place. After an hour or two of futuristic crime novel in the reading room, I was able to stand up from the plushy office chair for the first time without using my right arm to first gather and secure my left. The heating pad has another five hours left, according to the box. We'll see...

No bones about it,.. meh.

X-rays. The Radiologist that looked says there's nothing to see here...

We'll there is definitely something to feel. So I'll just slowly stretch it all out while continuing with my vitamins and healthier-than-normal-for-a-red-neck diet.

Anyway, the first is a strait on view. The second, an upward angle. 30 to 40 degrees, maybe...

Right now I'm typing from a laptop. I'm able to use my right arm to place my left arm in the proper position, letting the weight of my left (the injured) rest on the table. Any attempt to raise the afflicted arm with it's own strength results in cramping of what feels like all the muscles in the left hemisphere of my neck. I anticipate being out of the sling for extended periods of time by the end of this next week. At the very least to throw it in the washing machine.

It's been 3 nights of sleeping on my back - without snoring! Sleeping on my side will be a long awaited luxury.