Navigating senior years.

Donstar · July 27, 2025

I had a shoulder x-ray a few days ago in preparation of my visit with my surgeon this week. I've seen the results and all appears fine and I think I should be able to retire the sling this week. Yesterday, my neighbour was telling me about her close friend who is currently recovering from shoulder surgery on the other shoulder from the one she had replaced last summer! Like me, osteoarthritis is her issue so I think I'll be asking my surgeon if I should hold on to my sling for future use!

Donstar · July 28, 2025

Who has the most joint replacements in one person?

Joseph, Michigan. Chuck Wedde knows all too well the value of the major joints in the human body. All of his have been gradually destroyed over the last 30 years by severe rheumatoid arthritis. As a result, Chuck has had all 12 major joints in his body replaced, plus a few knuckles.May 18, 1999

Donstar · July 28, 2025

^^^^ I am at the point in recovery where my new shoulder behaves as long as I don't use it. The post surgery constant attention on my shoulder took my mind away from the other joints. Today my knee(s) are telling me the truce is coming to an end. I've already had the pre-op for my left knee and am just waiting to regain normal use of my left arm. I don't doubt that by the time my left knee is replaced another joint will be vying for new parts. I came across the story of Chuck Wedde ^^^ and appreciate that I have nothing to complain about. His knuckle replacements grabbed my attention as I have one that I need to report. Has anyone reading this had personal experience with small joint replacement?

Donstar · July 30, 2025

I had my 6 week post-op checkup yesterday and can now go forward without my arm in a sling. I am months away from normal function but the freedom feels great!

customboss · July 30, 2025

3 hours ago, Donstar said:

I had my 6 week post-op checkup yesterday and can now go forward without my arm in a sling. I am months away from normal function but the freedom feels great!

Congrats Teach!

Donstar · August 1, 2025

By the time we hit our senior years, we have all lived through the pain of losing a few friends and/or relatives. My brother wrote me a note last week expressing his profound sadness on the anniversary of the death of his wife. I was reminded of something I heard years ago on the Dr. Laura show. and that is to try not to acknowledge anniversaries of a loved one's death. Do celebrate their dates of birth. D.O.B.'s are associated with happy times and D.O.D.'s are mostly sad. Today I woke up full of fond memories of my dear father. Today marks 100 years from his date of birth and I will be celebrating and raising a glass to this very special man on this milestone birthday! It's been 24 years I've celebrated in memoriam but it truly is a happy day!

Donstar · August 3, 2025

We have a cute dog and often are approached on our walks with requests to pet her. Recently we have started saying "no". Our dog is blind and doesn't always respond well when surprised. She manages very well with her other senses but significantly lacks advanced danger warning. Last night on our walk I went to quickly grab something disgusting hanging from her mouth and she responded in a defensive and aggressive manner. Initially I was angry at her but soon put the blame where it belongs. I am not going to (or want to) change her instinctive behavior but I can do a better job of preventing and/or avoiding such situations.

diyer2 · August 3, 2025

My shoulder has been a PITA. Just to inform all. Surgery Sept 6. 2024 for 2 rotator cuff tears and bicep muscle reattachment to the bone.

Woke up one night and couldn't use my left arm or hand.

Still have pain and limited use of my hand, plenty of physical therapy.

July 30th cortisone shot in neck for nerve to left shoulder for pain. Helped with the pain but still limited use of hand.

All I know to do is give it more time. Doctor wants to try another shot of cortisone.

customboss · August 3, 2025

1 hour ago, diyer2 said:

My shoulder has been a PITA. Just to inform all. Surgery Sept 6. 2024 for 2 rotator cuff tears and bicep muscle reattachment to the bone.

Woke up one night and couldn't use my left arm or hand.

Still have pain and limited use of my hand, plenty of physical therapy.

July 30th cortisone shot in neck for nerve to left shoulder for pain. Helped with the pain but still limited use of hand.

All I know to do is give it more time. Doctor wants to try another shot of cortisone.

Hang in there Brother.

Donstar · August 3, 2025

3 hours ago, diyer2 said:

My shoulder has been a PITA. Just to inform all. Surgery Sept 6. 2024 for 2 rotator cuff tears and bicep muscle reattachment to the bone.

A year is a pretty long recovery! I am sure you trust your surgeon like I trust mine and aren't questioning his expertise. There was a point in the process for me that I had concerns but nothing that I wanted to question the surgeon about. I made an appointment with my family doctor and he put my concerns to rest.

Donstar · August 6, 2025

I go to the rehab facility at our local hospital for physiotherapy. Yesterday I had a substitute therapist and I will request he becomes the regular person assigned to me. I am sure his technical skills are similar to my previous therapist but his communication skills were extraordinaire. He had an explanation for every tingle, twinge and discomfort I mentioned. Nothing was covered under blanket generalizations. Comments like, "it's normal/common" or "give it time" may reflect the professional's experience but do nothing to inform the patient.

customboss · August 6, 2025

On 8/3/2025 at 10:21 AM, diyer2 said:

My shoulder has been a PITA. Just to inform all. Surgery Sept 6. 2024 for 2 rotator cuff tears and bicep muscle reattachment to the bone.

Woke up one night and couldn't use my left arm or hand.

Still have pain and limited use of my hand, plenty of physical therapy.

July 30th cortisone shot in neck for nerve to left shoulder for pain. Helped with the pain but still limited use of hand.

All I know to do is give it more time. Doctor wants to try another shot of cortisone.

A second opinion an option to help your recovery? I go to Colorado center for orthopedic excellence in COS and they’ve been excellent on elbows and wrists. Got left wrist done yesterday. Shoulders are hell but thought I’d ask since it’s been a long recovery for you.

customboss · August 6, 2025

Was on a pain mgmt call the other day with other veterans suffering chronic and acute pain. One member was delaying shoulder surgery but hasn’t slept well for years because of it. He was 65-70. A 89 YO Korean War vet spoke up and said don’t wait while you are able to handle surgery. He waited and now cannot be a candidate because he can’t survive surgery. He’s in intense pain. I heard that exchange loud and clear and why in a few days I’m going to have both hips evaluated for replacement since they radiate pain to back too.

txab · August 6, 2025

Better to do it earlier than later. Wished my mom would have heeded that advice on her knee. She put up with it being basically bone on bone for a long time. When it got really bad, no one would touch her surgically. She probably would have had 15-20 years of better quality of life if she would've had it done early.

Diyer2.... agree with customboss, time for someone else to take a look at you possibly

Donstar · August 7, 2025

A second opinion benefits the patient and the professional. Doing so typically offers confirmation and another perspective. It doesn't mean you're trying to find fault in the original diagnosis. In the same vein, I often ask my wife to join me when visiting a specialist. We seldom will leave his or her office with unanswered questions!