Hey ya'll!

I'm gonna ask a huge favor! I need happy thoughts, prayers, whatever you can spare.

As some of you may have heard, I injured my shoulder on Saturday when I attempted to stop my minivan's automatic door from opening. When the door meets resistance, it's supposed to stop opening (or closing as the case may be) Well, our door just bucked, then continued to open, thus yanking on my arm. Originally I thought I may have just dislocated it, and it snapped back in place when I moved (I sorta fell/jumped forward when I heard the pop). I wasn't getting any range of motion back though.

The doctor ran some range of motion tests and determined that I need an MRI. She also referred me to an orthopedic surgeon. She believes I tore at least two tendons (or ligaments, or one of each...I kinda zoned when she started talking about the surgery). This is why I can't move my arm. They want me to have arthoscopic surgery in order to put screws in my shoulder and repair the damage.

That's all well and good...until you remember I'm pregnant. :eek:

They're telling me the MRI is safe. I believe that. My IPs (intended parents, the people whose kid I'm carrying) are a bit nervous. Rightfully so. My IM says do it, IF, not so sure. Either way, the surgery is a huge risk. So at this point I'm in a sling, and will soon be in an immobility thing that will tie my arm to my body.

The moral of the story. Don't pick a fight with the minivan...it's bigger, heavier and stronger. It'll kick your ass, then drive you to hospital.

Our thoughts are with you. FWIW, my BS is in physics, and from what I know of how MRIs work, I think they're safe, including for fetuses. Of course, I'm not a doctor (nor do I play one on TV).

IP's should be a little more understanding. I realize that they concerned, but you took a big risk helping them, now they should be supporting you. You have my support, for what it is worth ($.99 plus local tax)


On serious note, I hope everything works out for you. I know the longer you wait them problematic the injury becomes. I would hope that everyone supports you, including the IPs.

Abia, I always pray for you. Simply because you have to live with Andist.

However, I'll add something special/new for you next time I talk to the man upstairs.

Get better. Andist knows to ask for anything if you guys need something.

Yikes. Sounds like quite an ordeal. I hope you feel better soon. Keep us posted.

I'm sorry to hear that. :(

Abia, I always pray for you. Simply because you have to live with Andist.

However, I'll add something special/new for you next time I talk to the man upstairs.

Get better. Andist knows to ask for anything if you guys need something.

Oh sweetie, you made me smile...and I need that right now!

Thanks all. Hopefully when I talk to my IF (intended father) he'll be understanding. My IM says go have it done, and rest.

That sounds like it HURTS! I'm so sorry! Remember that cookies are your friend. Make sure to have some delivered to the hospital. Hospitals depress me.

MRI uses radio frequency coupled with a magnetic field. To this date there is no known harm to humans (not that I'm aware). Even Ultrasound's impact on the human body and fetuses is something that no one knows for sure. As we all know, fetuses are bombarded with U/S regularly as part of prenatal care. The point is that, to this day, no one knows for sure what damage, if any, is taking place. There could be links between U/S and myriad changes within the body but it is accepted as minimal risk at worst to completely safe at best.

Even standard ionizing radiation is deemed acceptable after the first trimester, when a doctor decides the reward is worth the risk. You will almost certainly be subjected to x-rays during your surgery, either radiographs or fluoroscopic radiation from a mobile c-arm. You probably already have had some radiographs taken before the MRI was recommended.

I guess I'm trying to put your mind at ease. If your IF wants to consult a doctor or two for their opinion on his dime, he should do so. Otherwise it is your body and I take it that your current team of doctors says the treatment and procedures recommended are safe, therefore you should be confident in your decision however that swings. I would suspect that he couldn't find a doctor that would balk at an MRI. Maybe the surgery, I don't know for sure about that.

Pertinent questions for your doctors would be the risk of general anesthetic to you and your fetus and effects of any post surgery pain medication to you and your fetus. You should probably check and see what waiting until after delivery does to your prognosis. If there's little change then you might consider waiting.

A general suggestion is that any time you get involved in a detailed discussion with a doctor about your health, have another set of ears there to hear what's being said and to ask questions, if possible. Write down questions before-hand if you can and take them with you or else you are likely to forget. The biggest problem with your healthcare many times is simply not knowing what the hell is going on.

Although I generally feel like crap happens and you move on with your life, it sounds like the minivan malfunctioned in a majorly unsafe way. You should probably look for a competent lawyer to get some medical care compensation for this accident as it seems due to faulty equipment. Lux can probably give you her advice there since she hails from a family of lawyers. Personal injury is something that I think is over-litigated but if it's legitimate then it should be pursued. It sounds like you've got a good claim for medical costs anyway.

These are all suggestions from one person you don't even know. Sometimes it helps just to hear different ideas or points of view. You've possibly covered all this ground already.

As stupid as this may sound, it could have been worse. Good luck to you and keep us posted!

Get it done! I had my shoulder popped out years ago and never got it professionally reset. Now it reminds me by randomly making the nerves in my back spasm. The longer you put it off, the worse it gets. My Ortho wants to break my shoulder and set it straight, but it's my right shoulder and that is my shooting/throttle arm. And I'm a big pussy who's afraid of having his shoulder deliberately broken, but we won't tell anyone about that. :D

Yikes! I hope everything works out!

OMG how are you going to play WoW???

Srsly though, I hope it works out and you have a speedy recovery! Having any part of your body imobile can be very frustrating.

Poor Abi! I'll sacrifice a young doe on the machinegun range as an offering for your speedy recovery.

...but it's my right shoulder and that is my shooting/throttle arm...

That sounds so much cooler, go with that.

I had a detached (and torn) labrum repaired a year or so ago. You'll get used to immobility very quickly; the rehab is what the bear is as a shoulder has to be fixed in a way to allow 360 degree mobility.

Birthing with one arm in a sling should be heroic; you should win extra points for that.

I had a detached (and torn) labrum repaired a year or so ago.

Are men supposed to have those?

OMG how are you going to play WoW???


http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/browse.asp?cat=22260 -- there are a few options

Torrin, Don was wondering how your Integramouse was working... he said you had "good control of motor functions of the mouth"

I motorboat on a regular basis.

Just to throw my opinion in...

Motorcycle wreck when I was 20.
I don't need to see a doctor, I'm tough. I love pain.

Getting up when I'm 40.
Slowly levering myself upright with my left arm, shuffling to the bathroom in an attempt to open a bottle of aspirin with one hand. I can actually do it with my teeth if needed.

Need I say more?

Just an update:

IPs called this morning and said to go ahead and get the MRI. I have it scheduled for this afternoon. Once we have the results we'll go from there.

On the plus side, I just found out Andist is buying me a new computer with a touchscreen! Thanks Dear! :D

oh no! hang in there and get better soon

touch screen? wtf, imo -- if you can't move a mouse, you can't touch a screen.

Ouch. I hope things work out.

I like the Integramouse idea.

You need this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826100006

You need this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826100006

Can you hook that to your Jimmy?