I have been absent for good reason - here's my recent "History", placed here to share with loved ones so I don't have to type it over and over in lots of emails and to keep available on the World Wide Web for posterity....
May 30 (Memorial Day) Went to Lorraine’s, in lots of pain in right kidney.
June 3 Was asleep on recliner in living room, got up at 3am and “collapsed” into TV, smashing right shoulder, used left wrist to try to break fall, pinched nerve, hurt ever since, fell to ground on right hip (weighed 260lbs) and hip has hurt ever since.
June 6 Hip, wrist & right shoulder in extreme pain, went to family doctor who referred me to Lower Bucks Hospital (hereafter = LBH) ER where they took x-rays of shoulder and diagnosed (incorrectly) as “sprained”, stating it would heal in 2-6 weeks. They gave me pain reliever Dilauded, which does not help very much at all (Neither does Percocet, Tylenol 3 or Morphine, I‘ve become immune to their effects). Also diagnosed with kidney infection, which most likely contributed to (if not caused) The Fall.
June 20 Passed fairly large kidney stone. Down to 220lbs.
June 27 Three weeks have passed since ER visit, not feeling any better, in fact I’m feeling much worse. Visit family doctor again who orders an MRI. Called LBH and scheduled MRI for June 29. Also complained again about hip & wrist, doc suggests I have inflammation around both areas of impact and puts me on Naproxen (Anti-inflammatory, 500mg - 1 tablet, twice daily).
June 28 Passed HUGE kidney stone.
June 29 MRI at LBH - 915am.
June 30 Called my family doctor about results of MRI - I have a “Full Rotator Cuff Tear” (resulting in the extreme pain I’ve been feeling, this will not heal on its own, surgery is most likely needed). Dr. Morgenstern wants me to see Orthopedist Dr. McPhilemy. I call Dr. McPhilemy’s office and am told he’s “Out of the office until Wednesday” (July 6).
July 5 Called Dr. McPhilemy’s office back and am told he’s now “Out of the office” until “Next week” and that the first appointment to see him is “mid-August” (in about 6 weeks). I called Dr. Morgenstern’s office back at 9am, left message for him about the situation. Called Dr. Morgenstern’s office again at 11am to leave another message. Called Dr. Morgenstern’s office AGAIN at 330pm to see if the other two messages were ever delivered - they were I was just never called back. Turns out Dr. Morgenstern wants me to “wait to see Dr. McPhilemy”. I said that is unacceptable and the office said they’d leave him a note for “first thing tomorrow morning as he’s gone home for the day” (they can’t call a doctor at home!?!). I am in so much pain on a daily basis that I’m nauseous ALL the time.
July 6 Heard from Dr. Morgenstern’s office, the suggested trying Dr. Aland (215-702-0600) or any of the doctors at Makefield Orthopedics (267-757-0560). Never got an answer to the anti-inflammatory question, so I asked Mary to ask Dr. Morgenstern again if it should have had some effect since I started taking it last Monday (June 27) and if it should to let it know it hasn’t and does he recommend something else. Dad came over with a list of possible Orthopedic Surgeons, he tried Dr. John Fenlin at The Rothman Institute @ Jefferson University (Center City) first, he can see me next Tuesday (July 12) at 9:30am so he scheduled an appointment. We did not try any other doctors on the list as Dr. Fenlin is supposed to be “The Best”. Mary calls back saying Dr. Morgenstern wants me to discontinue the Naproxen and start Vicopropen instead (7.5mg/200mg - Every 8 hours).
July 12 Appointment to see Dr. Fenlin at 9:30am. Dr. can’t operate because shoulder is “too tight” and I need to do 4 weeks of physical therapy (hereafter = PT) to loosen the muscles which will make surgery & recovery easier. Will need PT after surgery as well. Doc sent me to the PT department at Jefferson to get instructions and prescription. Called NovaCare Rehabilitation to schedule PT visit and made appointment for Tuesday, July 19 at 11am. I am to do 6 different PT exercises at home on my own 3 times a day.
July 19 PT appointment - 11am. Paperwork and base readings taken, no actual PT done.
July 21 PT - 11am. Did all 6 normal exercises plus therapist stretched arm in all directions and received electrical stimulation therapy with ice packs (this becomes the standard PT drill, all taking about 1 hour per visit).
July 25 PT - 9am.
July 27 PT - 1030am.
July 29 PT - 1030am.
Aug. 1 PT - 10am.
(Cancelled 8/1 @ 8am - Kidney Stone, Passed!)
Aug. 3 PT - 9am.
Aug. 5 PT - 930am.
Aug. 8 PT - 9am.
Aug. 10 PT - 11am.
(Cancelled 8/10 @ 945am - Migraine)
Aug. 12 PT - 930am.
Aug. 15 PT - 330pm.
Aug. 17 PT - 2pm.
Aug. 19 PT - 930am.
Aug. 23 PT - 1130am.
Aug. 25 PT - 11am.
Aug. 30 Appointment with Dr. Fenlin to discuss state of shoulder as a result of PT & possible surgery options - 310pm.
Sept. 1 EMG test downtown to check for nerve damage - 8am.
Sept. 7 Appointment with Dr. Fenlin to discuss EMG test results & possible surgery options - 310pm.
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