January 16, 2009 - Shoulder Mystery Revealed

Maya did it.  She hurt me.  I know it seems strange blaming a character in an X-Box workout video, but who else can I blame?  Ummmm.... me?  OK.  I'll admit it.  It was ME.   I tried to get in shape, but those 3 pound weights were just way too heavy.....  whatever!

So I've got a nearly full thickness rotator cuff tear in my left shoulder.  My right shoulder (which hurts, but not as bad) has what appears to be an old injury (20 years of softball, perhaps?) and tendonitis and arthritis.  I never thought I'd be talking about arthritis at 44.  Ugh.  

I am very, very happy, because now I know what's wrong, and I know it was a good thing that I didn't try to push through the pain (too long).  I have an appointment today to see an orthopedic doc.  I hear I may be able to get this fixed without surgery.  Yay.  We'll see.

So the message for breast cancer survivors is .... start an exercise regimen VERY slowly, and listen to your body.  If something hurts, wait a couple of days to see if the pain subsides.  If it doesn't, get it checked.  If you can muster up the energy to stretch and walk through your treatments, I'd highly recommend it.