I’m writing this blog on Monday, December 29, 2026. It is about three weeks, and I will be in surgery to have my left shoulder replaced. Some of what you will read here is speculation because I don’t really know much about the work that needs to be done. I have told my surgeon, DO NOT tell me what you are going to do. Tell me what you have done after the work is finished.
My sister Clara said that of all of the surgeries that she had experienced (both knees, hip, and shoulder), the shoulder work was the least problem for her. When the subject of this pending surgery for me comes up, I hear both sides of the coin. Lots of friends / acquaintances know of someone who has experienced shoulder replacement surgery. Some say they’ve been told that the surgery was not difficult. That is not the story from many of them. The person relaying the information to me often winces, shrugs a shoulder, and says that it is difficult. I’m beginning to believe that Sister Clara just didn’t remember any difficulties she had with the surgery and/or recovery.
The surgery that is now scheduled for January 20 was originally scheduled for mid-August. It had to be postponed because I came done with some respiratory thing. We ruled out COVID, pneumonia, and flu. It seems that it was one of those things “that is going around.” What, we don’t know.
And, so, the surgery was rescheduled for September 3; but, I was still sick. Then, it was scheduled for September 13 or so; I was still sick.
I decided I was not going to mess with the fall and winter holidays and asked if it could be scheduled in January 2026. The date of January 20 was authorized by the doc. Now, all of the calls and appointments that were accomplished in August for clearances, etc., have to be repeated. Pre-op appointments with my PCP and my cardiologist have been scheduled. Both of these docs must evaluate my ability to proceed. Those appointments are now scheduled for the first two weeks of January.
Taylor, who is my surgery contact at the surgeon’s office, e-mailed a list of things I must do, things I may do, and things that are on the DO NOT DO list. For example, based on the lists of medications and medical diagnoses that I have, there are drugs that I must stop taking at least one week before the surgery. Other meds cannot be taken two days before and, of course, no meds or food the morning of the surgery.
To keep track of these requirements, I always make a calendar chart showing the days and weeks leading up to the scheduled day of surgery. A couple of items on Taylor’s list that are different from August are these. In August, I am sure that the requirement was that I would wear an arm sling for at least six weeks. I have read and re-read the new instructions, and only two weeks are required. I have diabetes; so, my A1C reading must be 7.0 or less before the surgery. I have to say that my A1C reading hasn’t ever been 7.0 or below! And, so, my medication for diabetes has changed – dramatically!
Another test that has to be conducted (and I had this test for the intended August date) is a mRSA test. When I learned that I would need this test, I went to friend WEB to learn about it. “MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a type of staph bacteria. Many people have MRSA or other staph bacteria living on their skin or in their noses.” Although the bacteria usually does no harm, one just doesn’t go into this kind of surgery with it on the skin. It can invade the wound of the surgery.
After the mRSA test and before the surgery, the instructions (from the hospital department that conducts the test) say that for at least three mornings before reporting for the surgery, I am required to thoroughly was my from the neck down with hibiclens described as killing germs on contact and continuing to work for up to 24 hours. What I have yet to figure out is how to wash my entire shoulder and back. I certainly cannot reach to the back of my shoulder area. What do I use to get that shoulder hibiclens-clean?
I learned when having back surgery that pre-op physical therapy really assists with the recovery process. This was not something that the surgeon suggested. Rather, my physical therapist said, when I told her the scheduled date for the back surgery, “We have five weeks to get you ready.” She prescribed specific work to assist with the recovery.
So, knowing that there will be physical therapy requirements for the shoulder work, she and I have been working toward prepping for the shoulder recover time. I intend to ask my surgeon why docs don’t recommend this pre-op physical therapy to their patients.
So, today, Monday, December 29, 2025, this is what I know. After the surgery and when recovery begins, I’ll add more information; I will know more about the procedure.
More later –
Be Safe and Be Well.
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are always appreciated.
Leave a Reply