Four weeks post-op for rotator cuff repair and bicep tenodesis. Today was my last day with the sling, which was welcome news.
Twice a week I have physical therapy. Stretching the muscles that haven’t moved much for a month, plus healing from surgery is pretty painful. It’s definitely the most painful PT I’ve endured.
Breathing was crucial to getting through it. The technique I used was great in for 4 counts, hold for 5 and breathe out for 7. Breathing out longer than we breathe in signals our body that everything is okay and we can relax.
It’s a great reminder that when we’re in tough situations, remembering to breathe deeply can really help.
On a personal note, a quick side story. Music is played in the facility where I get PT. Songs from Spice Girls and Def Leppard had just played. After a really painful set of stretching, my PT walked away to get something, and IZ’s “Over the Rainbow” came on. It was my dad’s favorite song, and it always appears at rough moments, as if to say, “Don’t worry, you got this”. I totally teared up. Our loved ones frequently send us messages through songs, and I’m glad they do.