Shoulder Surgery June 22, 2011

An unexpected turn of events for 2011 came in June. I had to have rotator cuff/shoulder separation surgery performed. Thus, not riding or competing at this time. Close friends have heard the actual story but for those new people-here is a the story.

*2005 I was on sitting on my Appaloosa, Dollar at the water tank. He stuck his nose on the electric tape, sending a current into him and down the lead rope. He jumped one way and I went flying the other, landing on right shoulder. Xrays showed "jammed" a little but could manage.

*2007 Putting hay in the barn, and lost balance while bucking a hay bale (yes, just call me grace!) and fell backwards, landing on..yup..you guessed it-right shoulder.
Through chiropractic care, massage therapy, accupuncture I was able to maintain until this year in Feb. Lifted a friend's carry-on bag into the overhead compartment on plane and it slipped back, causing me to catch it, and I felt popping noise in my shoulder.

*4months go by thinking it will heal, etc. but the pain became worse.

*June 22, headed for surgery after MRI confirmend tears in tendons and shoulder seperation.

*It has not been an easy recovery because the biggest "pain' has been from the clavicle being shaved off 5cm-thus "bone pain!" Not fun! Everything is continuing to heal but is a sling for 6 wks, starting therapy soon and overall process will be about 6months.

I think since this started in feb. it is more like a pregnancy-long and drawn out with limitations of NO RIDING!!. I AM however, being careful while doing some groundwork w/ horses (not so much the colts right now), saddle/tack cleaning, grooming lots of horses. and just trying to get well.

*Sleep or lack of has been a problem, too, and being "up" is easier than lying in the recliner. So..i guess that's about enough whining for now and will pull up my boot straps and give it a go!