You hear about people having surgery all the time. It's almost as common as breathing now a days. Especially cosmetic surgery, it seems like everyone has had something done. But what about when it's not cosmetic and it's you who has to have surgery. Well tomorrow I suppose I will know how that feels, because I have shoulder surgery tomorrow.
As of tomorrow, Friday February 22nd, I will be the 5th girl to have shoulder surgery in the past 3 1/2 years from the UNCW volleyball team. I feel like that speaks volumes. But why are so many of us getting surgery? We all have either torn a rotater cuff, torn labrums, or biceps tears. Or in my case, possibly all three tears. As well as missing cartilage that I will never get back. But why are such major reconstructive surgeries happening to such young athletes. Considering the average age of shoulder surgery is around 60 and male, neither categories we fit into. Kind of weird that my dad, who is 60 and obviously male, will be having the same surgery as his 20 year old daughter a week after my surgery, isn't it? Do we push young athletes too far? Are we destroying our bodies so when we are only in our 40's we will have arthritis and double hip replacement surgeries? These are all questions I sit and ponder as I think, tomorrow I will be another statistic.
It is easy to feel sympathy and empathy for people who are going to have surgery, but when it's you, the world looks a little different. I have always thought of myself as unstoppable, invincible to such injury because I am very in shape and have always been a 4 sport athlete, but I was wrong, very wrong.
Now I must sit and ponder what to expect, realize some of the simple things of getting dressed on my own will be taken from me, and to come to terms with the fact that I will be in a sling for a month! So take a second to realize how blessed you are at this very moment, look around, you have everything, you need nothing,you want everything, but you are blessed. I will miss my right arm for the next 5 long months, farewell good arm!ha :(
Surgery starts at 11:30 tomorrow, wish me luck.....
