Might be a short paddling season

[Andy is OptiMystic]

Went in for a cortisone injection this morning. Same shoulder was injected last Summer. Doc had the shot on the tray and was just finding the spot on ultrasound when he noticed the tear is bigger. No shot for you! MRI and surgery.

I won't know for sure until he sees MRI, but the recovery will be somewhere between 1 and 6 months before I would be able to paddle. One of my paddling buddies responded to my pity party email to remind me he bought a 19' center console over the winter. Might also be bugging Jeffrey sooner than I thought since some other plans may get scuttled.

[Slip Sinker]

sorry to here that... are you able to cast?

[Andy is OptiMystic]

Probably after a shorter wait; will get a better idea after MRI but will only be certain after surgery.

[Andy is OptiMystic]

There's always fixed line, left handed. If I catch something I would have to be hold it in my teeth to take it off the hook, though...

[Andy is OptiMystic]

yet another reply after a little more research. I need to learn to cast left handed. I will probably be able/allowed to reel with my right hand much sooner than I will be able to use it for casting and hook setting. Abrupt motions are bad even without a heavy load. I do need to go easy though; my left shoulder is not as bad as my right; that is different than saying it is my "good" one. I don't have a "good" one.

[Eric Pierce]

Sorry to hear the about the problems Andy....You should be good as new when all the waiting is over with though, Right....Hope it's the lesser amount of time on the recovery process though....Good luck....

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

Here's hoping you can get back to the things you love ASAP.......good luck and you can get to some fish other ways as you know!

[Eric Pierce]

Totally understand that ANdy....About every 30 to 45 days I go through a minor surgery procedure to remove some fatty tumers that have gotten quite large and very tender.....They are hereditary so nothing can be done about them except removal, and only after they become tender....Dr will only remove no more than three at a time....seems I always have stiches any more....

[Andy is OptiMystic]

Wow. Stories like yours make me feel bad for complaining. I had a knee done last year and that was the first surgery since having my tonsils out 50 years ago. I will probably end up having both shoulders, the other knee and right hip done at some point but hopefully only once each and spaced out over years. And maybe they will come up with less invasive procedures for the ones that just need cleaned up; the shoulder about to be done is the only one that definitely needs a repair.

[Joe Angelucci]

Andy 

Not sure if this would help but a friend used an electric assist reel when he had hand problems. May be worth a look

http://www.adaptiveoutdoorsman.com/pf-100.html

[Andy is OptiMystic]

I think I will be able to reel with my right except for very early in recovery. My arm will be in a sling for a while but the primary purpose will be to keep the elbow against the ribs. It will be okay to move wrist and fingers pretty freely.

[carl hendrix]

Andy-- very sorry to hear you  have shoulder trouble!  be sure not to rush the healing process!!  might do more damage!!

[Andy is OptiMystic]

Yeah, I know. It's a bitter pill to swallow as I had great plans for trips this season. The risk of doing additional damage outweighs the potential rewards.