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Malcolm's Testimony
My doctor initially recommended exercise but eventually made an appointment for me to see the specialist at the hospital. This was now over a year since the injury took place. I had by now changed my life style to accommodate the pain and injury. Short duration sleeping (mainly during the day in a chair) and no physical effort involving my right arm or shoulder (sawing, hammering, lifting even cycling was avoided). I know healing was taking place and although I was at peace the path seemed a long one. When the time came to see the specialist, I was examined and x-rayed for about two hours, then told that the 'rotator cuff' in my shoulder was damaged beyond repair. The 'rotator cuff' as I understand it is responsible for holding the arm into the shoulder socket and also determines the movement of the arm at this joint, consisting mainly of tendons and muscle. Using the x-ray pictures the doctor showed me the damaged bone in my
arm and said that it was trying to seat itself in the shoulder socket
without the rotator cuff and consequently the two bones were rubbing together
causing pain. He explained that with surgery the arm could be made more
comfortable although movement would always be restricted. The operation
had something like an 80% chance of success. I accepted what he had to
say and the operation was eventually scheduled for 6 months later. He asked me to see the specialist at the hospital first and see what he had to say. Within a week I was back at the hospital and doing for the doctor all the exercises and arm/shoulder movements that had not been possible on my previous visit. He didn't take any x-rays but admitted that the 'rotator cuff' now seemed to be functioning correctly and the arm had returned to its proper position in the shoulder socket and there was no point in having an operation if I was happy. Was I HAPPY! Was I HAPPY! I thanked him for his time and told him about my Lord and how he (the doctor) had been used to confirm my healing. |