Doctors and Doctors and Doctors...

Adam and I arrived in Seattle on Tuesday night, and my chain of doctors’appointments began Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM.  First the knee doctor, who confirmed everything Claudio told me at CIK, gave me some ideas to continue to strengthen my legs for running, and done.  Easy! 

Swimming in Lake Union in the center of Seattle
Enjoying it while I can with the people I love!

Wednesday morning was the orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulders.  He was awesome.  He reviewed all of my x-rays before and after the accident and explained to me the severity of the break and shoulder damage.  The bone was snapped off below the ball, the blood supply cut off and part of the rotator cuff is missing.  He ordered an MRI for July 2 to see if there is anything left to surgically repair  or help grow new muscles back.  He encouraged me to continue my physical therapy.  He was so shocked to see my range of motion, even with the help of my right hand, that I got teary.  He did express concern that I may never be able to have normal usage with my shoulder if I truly lack some of the rotator cuff muscles.  The MRI will answer those questions.

After meeting with the orthopedic surgeon, I went across the hall and checked in with the neurosurgeon. That was a frustrating appointment. The CatScan I had in Puerto Madryn in April was done with the intention of having the prostetic implant made for my head in May, so I could have surgery in June.  Whew!  

Enjoying Summer Time!

Well, life doesn’t always work out as planned, and Kaiser sent an encrypted copy of the scan to the implant manufacturer. The company was unable to open the file and prepare the prostetic.  Sadly, no one followed up on this, and the piece was never made.  Only because I was in the doctor’s office, the neurosurgery team contacted the company and found out the news.  Now they have put the piece on special order and hope to have it here by July 12 – my newly scheduled day for surgery.

I am following up with Kaiser this week to ensure that the implant is being made, and unfortunately my emails and phone messages have been ignored.  So much for the 24 hour turn around time.  The good news is that I have a little extra time to enjoy summer and swim before I am sporting a half shaved head, huge worm shaped incision, and orders to keep out of the water.  

Finally on Thursday, I went to my first physical therapy appointment.  It was so different from how I was spoiled in Argentina.  I met the PT in a small cubicle with four austere walls, a computer, rolling stretcher, and no gym equipment.  I spent most of the hour answering questions and explaining my therapy and exercises in Puerto Madryn.  In the end, she surmised that the CIK plan was great; I should keep doing the exercises and come back in a few weeks.  

That was it, and all for the love price of $235.00.  What the ?*$?!  I have to cover the deductible and then it will only cost $50 a session - the same price that I paid for five days a week at CIK with 2.5 hours a day of therapy, contortion, exercises, structure, and a million blessings.  As Claudio just reminded me in an email this week, the moto is, “Y SIEMPRE SONRIENDO!”AND ALWAYS SMILING!  I would have it no other way!  

This is exactly how I feel - like an upside down monkey!