Shouler Replacement

Shoulder Replacement

 

Are you one of the inquiring minds wondering about a shoulder replacement?  The number of shoulder replacement comes in third to hips and knees.  Modern technology continues to improve our medical options at lightning speed.

 

 

The UltraSlingII represents the state-of-the-art wear for the shoulder replacement recipient. A contour pillow holds the arm at the correct angle away from the body.  A mid-drift strap keeps the pillow in place.  The adjustable strap around the neck keeps everything at the correct height.  This model even has a little red ball attached to the end to exercise my hand. My new accessory remains in place 24/7 for five weeks!   The sling comes off for exercise and bathing. I've added an old sock to my arm to lessen the irritation from the interior of the sling fabric. 

We have 8 flexibility exercises to do 4-6 times a day. These started the same day as surgery. Pendulum exercises let the arm hang down from the shoulder while rocking the body to create four different kinds of motion. The other four gently move the arm up and down. Derrille helps with two that can’t be done alone.

 

  The doctor used 20 staples to close me up. Staples come out 10 days after surgery. Staple removal takes just a couple of minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Steri-strips help support the closure.  They literally fall off within a week.

 The new metal ball and plastic socket feel no pain. So just like Derrille’s new knee the sharp, piercing pain disappears. What you feel can be described as discomfort…perhaps similar to a long day of gardening, or after the first day of ski season.  Your muscles and soft tissue yell a bit.  The amount of discomfort varies with each person, time of day, amount of activity, etc.  Heavy medication for the first couple of weeks and lots of ice packs helps. Derrille thinks I might want the heavy meds if PT gets strenuous. We’ll see. I do sleep with about six pillows.

 Since both of my shoulders are equally bad, my non-surgery arm isn’t able to help support the other. My new right side offers some discomfort, but the left side still emits painful stabbing.  Fortunately for me, Derrille takes outstanding care of me, the cats, the chores and the RV.  He provides the extra hands I need each day.  I am currently scheduled to receive a new left shoulder the last week in April 2014. I can hardly wait! However six months is the required time between shoulder work.

One often asked question is “how did I ruin my shoulders?”  I’ve always been strong and rarely hesitated to lift, pull, or push things of considerable weight. I gardened for many years moving dirt, full planters, and ripping up sod with my hands. As a teacher I hauled several heavy packs of books every day for 30+ years…lifting in and out of the car between home and school. I rearranged student desks, bookshelves and full 4-drawer legal size file cabinets. I lifted a special needs student with a full torso brace out of her wheelchair and onto the floor.  I over loaded laundry baskets with RV supplies and carried them between the house and RV. Looking back I basically, and unknowing, abused my shoulders.

After we leave the beach Labor Day event, we will live in Poulsbo to complete 2 ½ months of rehab. Our goal remains to be at Stevie and Marina’s wedding Nov. 30^th in San Diego.  In April we return to the NW for a repeat performance with a new left shoulder. 

 During this process I’ve become acutely aware that what I’m experiencing is really nothing compared to our Wounded Warriors.  I urge you to pray for them as they travel the difficult road to recovery.

 How fortunate we are to live in these times. Through science and technology we can enjoy a better quality of life with a lot less pain. Derrille and I believe when it affects the quality of your life don't hesitate, don't rationalize, and don't second guess. Agree to the procedure and do what the doctor says. Deligent rehab provides a successful experience.

Hurray for replacement parts!  

Fort Worden and Port Townsend

  Port Townsend   and Worden

 

Fort Worden became an alternate home for us between stays at Fort Flagler.  At Flagler we look directly across the bay at Port Townsend.  Fort Worden provides the eastern boundary for Port Townsend.  The Fort Worden light house sits on a point of land where Puget Sound flows into San Juan Straits. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cruise ships dwarf the lighthouse as they turn toward the ocean. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three cruise ships headed out to sea, one behind the other.

 

 

 

 

 

This ship is called the Norwegian Jewel of the Norwegian Cruise Line. With its colorful decorations we at first thought it was from the Carnival Cruise Line. 

 

Like the trio of forts designed to protect the entrance to Puget Sound, Fort Worden includes trails, bunkers, campgrounds, and its row of officer housing that can be rented.   A marine center and small museum can be found at the beach campground.

 

 

 

 

 Fort Worden also serves as a conference center with several barracks to house conference attendees.

 

 

I appreciate this sign that reminds people to leave baby seals alone.

 

 Kayaks can be rented down by the beach.   While here, the wooden kayak group was gathering for a rendezvous.

 

Fill in the blanks on the sign. I obviously missed it when driving by. Or Derrille didn't slow down enough.  :)

 

This barge stirred our curiosity.  We’d never seen anything quite like this before.  It turned out to be a load of logs heading south toward Seattle. A plethora of seagulls were hitching a ride along with it.

 

Port Townsend offers travelers a quaint destination.  Tours of Victorian homes happen at times throughout the year. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The downtown area maintains much of its original look with upscale shops and eateries. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm usually more selective about what I put in the blog....but I thought each of these photos were interesting.  They give you a feel of downtown Port Townsend.

 

We went into town for ice cream one Friday night to find this little town bustling with activity.  Finding a parking place presented a difficult task. 

 

Some people strolled leisurely along the streets.  Other people paused to look out over the water as ferry boats came and went.  People milled around bistro doors listening to the entertainment inside.  Laughter and happy murmurs floated down the streets.

 

An aura of peace and serenity filled the air.  What a great little experience!

 

 Here are a couple of unrelated items....back at Fort Flagler.....a few things that caught my eye as interesting:

 

 

This guy gives people rides around the park on this carriage affair.

 

   This Navy ship caught our interest. We hadn't seen anything like this come through here before. Derrille looked it up. This is the Richard Bird, a dry cargo supply ship.  Hmmm








Check out this trailer with a pop-out at each end.

                                          Then we had the "covered wagon" across the street.                                

 

 Check out these technologically advanced stilts!











This is the last blog before I get my new right shoulder tomorrow.  See you when I get clearance to use my arm for keyboarding.
 

Rest-a-While RV

Rest-a-While RV


Just north of sleepy Hoodsport Washington on the part of Highway 101 that runs north along the west shore of Hood Canal the Rest-A-While RV parks straddles the highway. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had passed by on several trips between Pacific Beach WA and Fort Flagler.  This year we booked a week’s stay.  We passed by again moving to Flagler the first time.  Boy, were we surprised it was located so far to the south.

 

The beach side of the park resembles a parking lot in width size, but the view is worth it.  We also lucked out with an empty site to our left and Lynn and Jay to the right.   

Our site positioned us directly in front of the short flight of stairs down to the beach.  

Behind us Highway 101 zipped by at a shoulder’s width from the white line missing our car parked in back.

A paved boardwalk ran along the beach bulkhead in front of us.  Planters, lights, and a strip of grass made for pleasant views.  Many an afternoon was spent lounging in the sun.

 

The tide flowed in and covered the greenery and the rocky beach.

One day as we sat out enjoying the unusually great weather this eagle flew right over the top of us. Look what photo I captured!  Then he/she went to sit in the tree for a while.

 

 

The seagulls seemed to enjoy perching on the old pilings at the south end of the park.

While watching the incoming tide we noticed air bubbles popping up from under the floor of the beach.  Underground springs must enter the beach here.

This small white jellyfish shows up all around Puget Sound beaches.

 

However, this large flat jellyfish that appears to painted in a Native American design remains new to me. 

 

It appears to be the size of a medium pizza.  I took this shot to help compare its size to the common white jellyfish. I tried looking it up, but was unsuccessful in finding it.

 

 

The full moon rose over Kitsap Peninsula during our stay. The moonbeams on the water fascinate the watcher…..maybe where “moonstruck” comes from.

 

We took a short day trip into Olympic National Park.  The road went to Staircase, which was a hike in only place during Derrille’s youth.   Part way up there the road went to gravel and we turned around. This viewpoint overlooks Lake Cushman and ranks as one of those moments that take your breath away.  This is why I need to return to the Northwest to get my “fix” of mountains, water and the tall evergreens.   We drank in the beauty before returning back down the mountain to the canal.

 

Even from this height, small cabins and docks peeked through the foliage.

 

Cell phone and computer connections couldn’t be trusted.  We went in to Hoodsport 6 miles away to communicate with others.  Texts seem to work.  Also the Tides restaurant across the street provided a very tasty fare.   Although we didn’t try it a BBQ hut on the resort grounds, gave off a tantalizing aroma.    We may return at another time to Rest-a-While along Hood Canal.