Sharry Miller

Stronger Than Before

In my last post I mentioned that I wasn't in as much pain as I was after my last surgery. That truth was really brought home today. After hours of tedium slaving away one-handed on my computer, I couldn't take it any longer. Bluebird skies, 60 degrees - does fall get any better? I needed to get outside. I've been on a couple of 2-mile walks with Christina this week, but they were slow and... Read more →

Shoulder Surgery Reprise

Tomorrow it will be exactly one week since I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder and just over four years since I had my left shoulder done. I have high hopes for as great a success this time around. In the meantime, I am now, as I was then, consumed by pain. No, don't feel too sorry for me. I don't mean that I am always in pain, but rather that it is... Read more →

Paddling Robe Lake

Wow, it has been forever and a day since I wrote anything here. I am sorry. Mostly for myself. I always took such pleasure in sharing a bit of my life here, and I've missed doing so this summer. And what a wonderful summer it's been. I've had many great little adventures while getting out and about in Valdez. As usual, I had grand plans for traveling around south-central Alaska to go backpacking and biking,... Read more →

Miracle Bicycle Adjustment

It only took six years, but I finally did something I've been meaning to do since I purchased Madeleine: I adjusted her handlebars. When I got her in 2007, I'd never ridden a bike with drop handlebars before, so I didn't really know anything about how they should feel. I just kept the Terry factory setting and rode her without any problems, but I always wondered if she'd be more comfortable if I rotated the... Read more →

Curse of the Shoulders

It irritates, annoys, depresses, and any number of other negative verbs, me to no end that my most limiting factor cycling this spring is my shoulders. My left shoulder is actually doing pretty well following last August's rotator cuff surgery. I still have a lot of strength to regain, but I have good mobility and generally not too much pain. But.... I don't think I told you, mostly because I'm still in denial, that I... Read more →

Spring Ride

Poor Madeleine's tires had barely a puff of air in them, and her computer had a dead battery. The chain needed lubricant, and there was a coat of dust on her frame. She was game, though, and so was I for the first ride of the season. With the temperature breaking 40 degrees and the sun shining bright, the highway was nice and dry yesterday, a bit surprising given that we just got over 60... Read more →

Snowshoe Poling Experiment

Cre-e-ak. Cre-e-ak. My ski poles added overtones of haunted house to the crunch of my snowshoes. Tears trickled down my cheeks and my nose ran incessantly thanks to the 18 degree temperature. As the wind tried to instantly freeze the tears on my cheeks, I wondered if it would be possible to lose layers of skin when the frozen tears were scrubbed off. I made sure to wipe mine off with my mittens before that... Read more →

Surgery and Insurance Tirade

First, you were warned by the title - this is going to be a short tirade. For that, I apologize, but you do have the power to not read any further. Second, you can thank me. It's a common blogging maxim that each blog post should contain a picture to make the post more appealing. I considered posting a picture of my beauty mark (aka scar) outlined with acupuncture needles, but decided to spare you... Read more →

One Month of Recovery

Yesterday was exactly four weeks after my rotator cuff surgery, and my first day with my physical terrorist - oops, I mean therapist - M. I thought I'd give you a quick update on my progress. First, let me say that I've decided to spare you a self-portrait of the six-inch scar that is now gracing the top front of my shoulder. It starts just to the inside of my bra strap and curves down... Read more →

Unholy Trinity

Unholy Trinity Dilaudid, You saved me When the pain block abandoned me, Leaving my shoulder unprotected. Every night, Sweet Morpheus in your small disc, You ease me into sleep. Percocet, Companion of my daylight hours, You bring relief every five hours. I must beware: You can turn on me, Twisting my tummy, Itching my skin. Vicodin, You have yet to earn My trust. You are too Weak. Have faith, Your turn will soon come. Unholy... Read more →