Who knew a simple ponytail could be such a big deal?!
Today, I accomplished a ponytail for the first time since mid-December. I love wearing my hair in ponytails and have missed this terribly. I had rotator cuff surgery in December and there are so many things I wasn’t able to do in the weeks following surgery.
About 5 weeks in I remember asking my physical therapist when I could use my left arm to assist in pulling up my pants. Since surgery, I have had to do everything right handed. He looked at me and asked “Has anyone explained recovery to you?” Yes, I thought they had but explain again please. My surgeon had said 6 months for a full recovery but up until this time all of my surgery references, and there have been many, have me fully recovered within 5-6 weeks. Sometimes less. He patiently explained everything again. He told me this surgery has the longest recovery. The incisions look small but a lot was done during surgery.
My doctor had explained what he had done during surgery. I had a torn muscle flap that had to be trimmed up and anchors added, frayed tissue to be cleaned up, he shaved my bursa disc, and did something to the bone to make more room. I left the hospital in a pillow sling and with no movement of my upper arm. At 5 weeks I went to see my surgeon and proudly exclaimed that I could now lift my arm up to my waist. I expected praise, but instead he just said “I don’t want you to do that.”
With these two encounters, it began to dawn on me that this wasn’t going to be a typical surgery recovery. I learned there were some exercises I could do at home and others I wasn’t supposed to do outside of PT. PT was painful and progress seemed very slow. But at around 9 weeks my physical therapist told me it was time to start pushing myself.
Gone are the days of being easy with my left arm. I now try to use it whenever I can. It’s still challenging to drive up to a mail slot and deposit mail with my left arm and stop at a fast food restaurant. I pay and receive items with my right hand most of the time.
So you can now see my excitement when I was finally able to put a ponytail in my hair. It took some effort, creativity, and wasn’t the most comfortable thing I have done but I did it!
I placed my left elbow, with help from my right hand, on the wall beside our bathroom vanity. I had my tools laid out in front of me and proceeded to brush my hair and put in the elastic band. I had to repeat it twice to get a smooth enough look to leave the house but I did it!
No matter what your challenges, if you are willing to put in the effort and use a little creative thinking, you can get through just about anything.
This-n-That 