DISABLED BUT DETERMINED - a week after extreme surgery on my shoulder

My dear readers,

I have use of one hand only. I had a fall about three weeks ago and was taken to the ER in Cumming, GA where I and my family spent four hours. 

At 2:30 AM we came home, my left arm in a sling, on pain meds with an appointment to see an orthopedist for my shoulder which ex-rays showed was broken.

It was a major break in the humerus bone and cup where it fits. The joint had to be replaced.

For a week I lived with great pain, my arm clasped to my side in a sling. I went in for surgery at 5:30 AM on February 15. I did not want to stay overnight in the hospital and was dismissed to come home. 

Immediately, we began icing the site. I continued with opioids day and night.

Gay, my dear sister, stayed with me 24/7. 

The following week was abysmal. Nausea, vomiting, no appetite, and my entire gastric system had failed. I was so sick I was taken back to the ER but this time to Wellstar in Roswell. More tests were done but no help.

The rudest nurse I ever met was my nurse in the ER. Not the entire staff, but this nurse REFUSED to help me get off the bed.

 "You got on that bed by yourself, you can get up."

As Gay reached to help me, she was told to leave me alone. I only had use of one arm, and the back of the bed was leaned back.

I had been brought in by two extremely caring and careful ambulance workers.

They had helped me onto the bed.

I reached for my sister and she helped me off the bed and into the bathroom. The surly nurse did not offer any help at all.

Once again I realized why one must have a family member or good friend present with the patient at the hospital because older people are often treated badly by staff. This woman was paid to care for me, but she refused. When I am able I will report this.

The worst experience I had was the week following the surgery. I have learned but, was not told to expect, the repercussions of anesthesia. 80 percent of surgical patients suffer horrible gastric problems and the meds offered do not help at all!

At my post-op visit, the surgeon said that the nerve block I was given likely damaged a nerve in my chest area making it difficult to breathe.

It would have been very helpful to know that. it might have prevented that trip to the ER.

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