Put Your Shoulder Into It

Jeff has decided that he needs to work on the damage that was done to his arm during his pre-transplant conditioning.  He would like to have a better range of motion with his right arm now that he is getting stronger and feeling better.  To compensate for his inability to lift his right arm, he has been doing more things with his left hand.  Jeff is willing to return to physical therapy since that helped before.  He had stopped going to PT this summer when it seemed to cause pain rather than reduce it.  Dr. Porter’s office set up an orthopedic visit.

This afternoon we went to the Orthopedics Department in the Silverstein Building at the University of Pennsylvania.  Jeff was instructed to arrive early for the appointment in case an MRI or X-ray was required.  We arrived plenty early and did not have to wait very long before being ushered to an exam room.  For kicks while we waited, we each took a guess at Dr. Heppenstall’s age since we had never met him before.  I thought he would be around our age and Jeff thought he would be younger than us.  Then Jeff took a short nap while we waited for the doctor.

A woman and an older gentleman came into the room.  The woman, presumably a nurse, sat at the computer to bring up the neurologist’s report from Jeff’s neck MRI this summer.  She made notes on the computer while Dr. Heppenstall used an old-school method of note-taking – a Dictaphone.  Dr. Heppenstall checked Jeff’s winged scapula which has improved a lot since he’d seen Dr. Pruitt, the neurologist.  Dr. Heppenstall was not too concerned with its present condition.  He asked Jeff to demonstrate his limitation of movement with his right arm and asked questions about his pain.  Jeff reported that he can avoid pain by not using his arm but he is concerned about losing the use of the arm if he continues to do that. 

Dr. Heppenstall did not require an MRI or an X-ray and, blessedly, he did not think surgery was called for.  He said that, with time, the shoulder and neck would continue to improve.  Jeff asked, “In my lifetime?”  Dr. Heppenstall said, “In mine!”  Jeff said, “You’re not that much older than me.”  Dr. Heppenstall replied, “I’m a lot older than you!  I just had my 70^th birthday party!”  

He ordered PT and told Jeff he would probably not need to return to see him.  Good news!  Now, for a little patience during the healing process…   

When we were finished in Orthopedics, we decided to visit the BMT nurses in Rhoades 7 – the ones who cared for Jeff in May and June.  When we walked out of the elevator and towards the nursing station, Nursing Assistant Alana and some other familiar faces greeted us with half-smiles and puzzled expressions.  They recognized me – but not Jeff!  Jeff told them to picture him without hair.  Alana spoke with us for a few minutes before she remembered Jeff and said, “You’re the carpenter!”  Nurse Linda joined Alana in animated praise for Jeff’s good progress and encouraged him to keep taking good care of himself.  I asked them to keep doing the good work they do.  Jeff reminded them that at the time of his discharge he’d told them, “Don’t take this the wrong way but I hope I never see you people again.”  They seemed really glad to see the results of their efforts. 

Prayers for the BMT patients at HUP today…