Wearing a tie post distal bicep tear

Ok, so my job requires me to wear a tie.  I can get away without wearing a suit jacket, but a tie is definitely required.  In my last post I ranted a bit about how much of a pain in the ass it is to only have full use of one arm. (See this link for the reason for my useless right arm)

So, back to the tie.  Have you ever tried to tie one with only one hand?  Effin ridiculous.  I'm getting used to brushing my teeth left handed, and typing one handed is getting quicker, but this tie thing is pissing me off.  I know that I will overcome this some how.  I figured out how to put on deodorant and am able to use the restroom without getting any (read much) on me.  But it's bugging me so much that I'm sitting here at 4:30 AM practicing how to tie a tie one handed. 

I think I may just stop at the store tomorrow and buy a clip on.

Long Day = Sore Morning

I probably should not have worked a 12 hour day on my second day back to work.  I didn't use my arm much, other than to type and write, but man, it hurt at the end of the night.  It's still sore after a night's sleep. 

I'm not supposed to use my right arm at all.  I was told to not hold anything in it heavier than a fork.  That doesn't make much sense to me though.  I can hold a fork, but can't get the damn thing to my mouth because of the brace.  That said, I'm still eating left handed.

That brings up another thought.  I challenge you.  Yes, a challenge.  If you are right handed, I challenge you to do things left handed today.  If you're left handed, then do it the other way around.  You will notice how much of a pain in the ass it is (literally).  Try brushing your teeth with the other hand.  How do your gums feel after doing that.  Get dressed one handed. Pull up your pants and zip your zipper with the other hand.  Put deodorant on your left armpit using your left hand.  I tried using aerosol and wound up spraying it in my eyes.  Open a jar of mayo or peanut butter.  You get the point.

So that's my challenge for the day readers.  Are you up for it?  It seriously will be a pain in the ass, especially when you wipe.  Now, that's an adventure.

Back to work

First day back to work after my distal bicep repair surgery. I've been out since September 9, and surprisingly, it felt good to be back.  Sitting on the couch watching TV and surfing the net all day gets a bit boring after a while.  How many times can you hear Maury Povich say "You are not the father". 

I got asked often about my robocop brace (a Breg T-scope elbow) and had to explain often how it worked.  There's a dial on the side that lets you set how far you want to let your arm flex (bring your hand to your shoulder) or extend (straighten your arm).  Currently, I am able to set free flex.  It hurts like a bitch, but at least I can move my arm a bit.  Not far enough to scratch my nose, but getting closer every day.  I keep my elbow at 90 degrees most of the day.  I am able to straighten it a few times a day to stretch and slowly get my arm ready for physical therapy. 

Only 3 1/2 weeks more with the brace and then I get to take it off.  I seem to be allergic to it as I'm breaking out and getting mutant blisters from it, but it helps keep the pain down.

Still not using any heavy meds to mask the pain.  Only Tylenol. 

Robocop Brace

Here's another pic of the brace I'm using after my distal bicep repair.  Since they reattached the bicep to my radius (video here) the doctors do not want me using my arm and popping the bicep back off.  Since my arm has been in a sling for over two weeks, the muscles are unused and are atrophying a bit.  To keep me from stressing the muscles, I am using this type of brace.  It's pretty cool.  The dial on the elbow part allows me to dial how much I want it to flex or extend.  Right now I've got it set to 90 degrees most of the time, but set it to 60 degree extension a few times a day to stretch and use the muscles.  It hurts like a bitch.

Mutant blisters

My Robocop brace is giving me some mutant blisters. I think I'm allergic.

distal bicep tear repair going well

My sling came off today.  It felt great to be able to scratch the skin that has been stuffed under bandages for the past two weeks.  Taking the tape off the incision sucked.  Here's a pic of the what was below all the bandages and tape.

 And here's the view from the back.  Have you watched the video below to see what the surgery was?  It was a distal bicep tear repair.

Still cant use my right arm much.  It's in a brace that looks like this:

I just don't look as good as this model

OK Go - White Knuckles - Official Video

I love free stuff

You can get a free sample of Cream of Wheat by clicking here! It's Cinnabon Flavor!

Biceps Tendon Repair Surgery - what i had done last week

Sick of typing left handed. cant wait for cast to come off right arm.