Since I’ve not posted for a while, I wanted to give an update on the status of my shoulder surgery and timeline for continuing my worldwide tour.
I had surgery in March to repair a severely torn rotator cuff and have been in physical therapy since then to get a good range of motion back in my shoulder. The surgeon said it would take about 6 months before I would be in good enough shape to travel, although she did say to stay away from serious climbing, hiking or any other strenuous activity that my damage my shoulder again. Not that strenuous “anything” is my future plans.
So, based on that, I booked a flight to Madrid, Spain for September 10 to kick of a 3 month travel schedule.
But then…
I saw my surgeon a couple of weeks ago, and she said my range of motion was not progressing as it should and thought I might have a “dead” muscle (nerve not working), issues with in my neck/shoulder area, OR that my rotator cuff surgery was not healing properly. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper. I knew that the limited range of motion would allow me to continue traveling, but not being able to raise my left arm past my chest was not going to be optimal. As Blanche DeBois would say, I would need to rely on the kindness of strangers to put my bag in overhead storage.
The doctor sent me in for Xrays, an MRI and a nerve test. I was most concerned about nerve damage, but there is no nerve damage, so quite happy about that. The muscle is not dead, just slow to respond. So, I will just keep working on it until it gets back to normal. It’s been a very long, slow process, but I’m hanging in there and doing the work.
Where to now?
I plan to be in Spain, France and possibly Germany or Belgium in the fall, back home in Nov-Dec, then to Mexico for 3 months. I’m pretty excited to get back to my adventures!
In the meantime, I’ve spent my time in the US staying with friends and house/pet-sitting at some amazing places around the Puget Sound.
Glad to hear you’ll be on the move again soon. Travel is the best adventure of all. At least that’s my motto. Good luck and safe travels!!
I could not agree more. Thanks for the well wishes!
so excited for you and your adventures Sis!! can’t wait to meet up!
We will meet up!
I’m glad you are on the mend and starting to travel again. Whenever you are in the states let me know. I do realize you normally stay with family but we are often on the hunt for a trustworthy house/pet sitter to stay in our home in Brown’s Point. I do hope you get to continue all the travels you desire and that your healing improves.
I will do that. I just finished a 2 week pet sit in Browns Point!
I hope your healing continues and you enjoy your time on the road is rewarding. You are a role model!
Ah! Thank you.