Thankfully, we continue to cruise slowly along.  Last week in PT he started weights along with ROM stuff and stretching.  Probably his biggest complaint has been 'tightness/stiffness' in his neck/shoulder area.  One PT spent about 10 minutes just massaging him before starting the regular stuff.  Now anytime he says he feels tight, he gets a mini-massage from Mom!

He has been kicking in the pool and tried a freestyle stroke and came back and said "NO WAY!"  I told him that others here on the board said that breast stroke came first so he should try just doing the stroke while laying in the water to see if he even had the ROM yet.  Came home and said he was almost there, but not yet.  I still think it will be a couple months before he can actually pull himself through the water, but at least he can see he is advancing and getting better.  I think as long as he continues to go slow and keep goals very small, he'll see is getting better and not feel like he isn't getting anywhere.

Still sleeping on a wedge with pillows.  Just can't manage to be flat.  Again, others on board say this is normal so we area going with it.  We have a vacation coming up so I guess he will get all the pillows!  Not quite sure how that will work.  Wish there was something inflatable we could take...

So, I guess I'd say that if you saw him on the street, you wouldn't think anything is wrong.  He can pick up light weight stuff, but had trouble when a gallon of milk started slipping.  I think now that he is working with some weights, that aspect will get better too.  His OS said he could do whatever he wanted, as long as he wasn't stupid or too risky.  Will update again at the end of Aug. when we have our next check up.

Attitude has been kinda low this week.  He has been trying to sleep in the bed and I think he is not sleeping as well.  Doesn't want to go back to the recliner tho.  Has also had general pain in the shoulder, sometimes will take Tylenol, sometimes not.  Really wants to get back to normal, but got to hold him back to go slow.

Stitch sites are looking better.  Have heard from several people who have also reacted to stitches or adhesive.  Nice to know he's not the only one!

 PT says ROM is great.  Won't move forward until OK from Dr. which should be July 10.  They have said even tho his ROM is great, they can't push yet because there hasn't been enough internal healing.  Makes total sense.  I'm glad they're so open and willing to explain everything, and I know that makes him feel better.

Hard to believe it has been 2 weeks.  Things are going 'swimmingly' and his attitude is good.  Since surgery, we discovered he is allergic to Codine and latex.  We had quite an allergic reaction on about day 3, when bandages were removed.  Skin was 'hivey' and where the tape was, fire engine red and itchy.  By day 5, things were much better.   

     We are still only working on ROM, but it is amazing how fast it happens.  He does his excercises 2 times a day.  There were 3 to start, then added 3 more, and today, 3 more.  They measured his ROM by this funky device that measures degrees, and the PT's eyes bugged out when they saw how far he could bend his arm back.  I think that part was measuring the capsule release progress.  He still can't go all the way upstretched with his arm, and he reached out to grab my foot and that hurt.  We have not done anything with weight, except for the wrist and forearm, tho the PT said he is on the 'accelerated' program!  I think he is glad he is back driving and out of the sling around the house.

 Dr. yesterday took stitches out and he had a reaction to those too.  We have to wait to get into the pool because of the holes still there, but they are drying out now so maybe another week to 10 days he can get in and kick around. 

Other than that, we are still in the recliner to sleep and taking Aleve 2 times a day.  He takes his sling off to drive (he started driving at day 9) but keeps it on at work (coaching and selling fish!) and to sleep.  We continue to pray for a speedy recovery without complications. 

Halleluia!  We got through surgery with no problems, just didn't do too well with anesthesia.  Felt pretty punky for 2 days, but better today.  Also having a problem with either the latex or the codine.  He is having an allergic reaction so we took Benedryl which worked.  Now that bandage is off and we stopped the Tylenol w/ codine, we are doing better.

 Was surprised the Dr. wouldn't give anything stronger for the pain.  We had the ice machine and did the Aleve, but he was a hurting puppy.  He is MUCH better today, so I guess if you can do it, OK.

Having friends over has helped greatly.  Takes his mind off everything.  Has slept well each night, in a recliner, which surprised me, but was a relief.  I'm sure it has helped with the healing.

PT went well today.  Just ROM.  They felt the cap. release was very successful.  Already had much more  movement than before.  Goal is still to swim by Nov, which they felt was reasonable.  They are going to NOT follow proticol and move him along faster than normal, as long as it is reasonable.  He is surprised himself as how much movement he has, tho is is still 'guarding', which is reasonable.  I asked him what HE thought and he said he thought he would still be in the recliner and not moving at all.  Took the first shower and will go back to work tomorrow, just 3 hours.

I think so far, the key has been rest, ice, and meds.  Hope that holds true!

Well, tomorrow is surgery and think we are ready.  Got a ice pack thing that everyone thinks will help with recovery. (The one you wear over the sling or whatever).  We got a bed wedge, comfort food, lots of pillows, and friends ready to come by and cheer him up.

 These boards have been wonderful.  I know everyone feels like a neophyte when this happens but everyone is so helpful and willing to share.  I am hopeful we will have a 'positve outcome' and have things go smoothly because, at least, I know what to expect and that is more than half the battle.  Will post after surgery!

We all deal with stress differently, so not to overwork my friends with the story, this seems like a good outlet, and maybe, as others have said, it might help someone else.

Synopsis:  17 year old son, a year-round swimmer, had tendonitis in right elbow (golfer's) and took short break to rest.  Came back and added pain in shoulder.  Quit winter swim and did PT to both elbow/shoulder (said there was impingement) and looked forward to summer swim.  Came back for that and lasted 3 weeks before pain was too much.  Went back to Ortho. and had MRI which found SLAP tear.  Son wants to swim in college so this is our 'option' (LOL).

 We are scheduled for June 3, 08 and found this site particularly helpful (and a bit scary, truthfully).  But as an optimist, I am encouraged by positive statements of effective rehab.  We've got the bed wedge, elastic shorts (thank goodness it will be summer!) and a recliner in front of the Xbox!  I know we have a great surgeon and PT guy who knows his goals longterm.  I feel better now that we are 'on the road', rather than just wondering what was going on and why he couldn't heal.

Will post again after surgery as I'm sure there will be much to relate and remember.

Never thought THIS would be the way my son would get topics for his college entrance essays! C'est la vie!