Tag Archives: doctor

Hard Work Earned Me Atrophy

No, I don’t mean a trophy, I seriously have earned myself atrophy from what I believe to be hard work.

Atrophy Comic Joke

While hard work most certainly can literally earn many people a trophy, pushing too hard or using bad form can result in atrophy. In my case, I’m assuming the latter with improper form from heavy lifting when working out is the main culprit.

That’s right, bench press and overhead press is way more technical than most people are aware. It’s not simply a matter of lifting the bar up and down, but maintaining complete control throughout the entire movement by focusing on the position of every part of your body. There are entire books written on how to perform the major compound lifts, so I won’t get into here, but check out Starting Strength to really learn they biomechanics of the basic barbell lifts.

This book contains the fundamentals of any real strength training program and really all you need to learn out to properly lift to strong and avoid injury. Hmmm, something I should’ve read before trying to lift a heavy (to me) barbell over my head and above my chest.

Last September, I first wrote about my ailing shoulder and how I assumed it was a rotator cuff tear. I still shoveled dirt and helped out with Going Mom’s backyard landscaping project, but it hurt.

After being stubborn and still working out by following the Squat Every Day program, I mentioned that I finally went to a chiropractor for my shoulder. After examining me, he diagnosed my injury as a strained rotator cuff. Who was I to question him? The shoulder area hurt, and rotator cuff injuries are pretty common.

Word of advice….get a second opinion. I went through several sessions with the bone-cracking chiro and never felt better. A good chiropractor will be able to identify issues and come up with a treatment plan that can really help you! At the end of 2015, I quit going and just went back to dealing with it. The pain was not so bad, but my strength and mobility was still severely lacking.

At the beginning of March, I went to the same doctor who saw me while we were trying to conceive for a wellness exam. Without mentioning my shoulder, he immediately noticed an abnormality on my right shoulder blade area. I could tell something wasn’t right when his first words were “Oh my!”

His sound of shock and awe was not that of a glorious sight, but rather something hideous. I never considered anything on my back to be out of whack, and Going Mom never mentioned anything to me. Trust me, she’d let me know too! Within a matter of minutes, my doctor diagnosed what he saw as atrophy in my right infraspinatus muscle. I never heard of the muscle before that visit, so here’s a diagram to help anyone not familiar.

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The red indicates the left and right infraspinatus muscles.

Here’s how it looks on me. Notice the concavity on my right?

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And flexed just to show how I’m “flexing” nothing on my right side in one area because there is no infraspinatus muscle to flex!

atrophy, infraspinatus, suprascapular

So we know it’s atrophy, but he wanted to know why and what from. I told him all about my ego getting the best of me when lifting, but that didn’t seem to interest him much. Instead, I was sent to have a CT Scan of chest, an EMG (Electromyography) basically all over my body, an MRI of my right shoulder, and an MRI of my brachial plexus.

I was given good reasons for all of these, but since each one was a separate visit, I became extremely tired of the process.  What’s more, after my doc sent me to see a neurosurgeon who simply stated she was not sure why I went to her and not an orthopedic surgeon, I turned livid. Even after asking to see all of the tests/scans I had gone through, they quickly said there was nothing they could do there unless I got another scan. No thanks.

Just another helpful visual reference
Just another helpful visual reference

The neurosurgeon was my most recent visit as of writing this post. The EMG has confirmed my atrophied muscle was due to a damaged/entrapped suprascapular nerve, part of the brachial plexus I had an MRI on, but no one has found exactly what caused that. C’mon, do they just not think that my heavy lifting reason is good enough?

They keep searching for a tumor or some other lesion inside when really, I’m just ready for surgery to fix the nerve or do whatever is done for this type of injury. At one point, my referring doctor simply stated I’d just have to live with it. Seriously, that’s it? A little nerve entrapment can’t be fixed nowadays? I’m calling BS. Not because I’m some know-it-all medical official, but because I’m a dad, and I plan on playing airplane and holding my sweet girl high in the sky whenever I damn well please…..or if she asks. 🙂

Daddy Lifting Avery with Caterpillar Backhoe

Yeah, like that. She’s the only trophy I want or care about. Well, Going Mom too, but as far as kid trophies go.

I have “fired” my doctor and took it upon myself with the help from another doctor friend to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. As of this post being published, the appointment is in 2 days, and hopefully I won’t be sent to have a plethora of other scans, x-rays, MRI’s and enemas (okay, probably not enemas) performed just to further confirm I have a damaged nerve causing my muscle to atrophy and it just needs to be fixed!

This really shows why it’s so important to have a doctor that you can trust and that you believe in. You never know what might happen to your body, from exercise injuries like this to conditions that require your doctor’s help with an Immediate Threat Medical. Make sure your doctor is on your side.

For now, that’s where I stand in the shoulder department. I’m still performing the fundamental barbell lifts, but can only do so much with my lack of a major muscle. Guess I keep hoping the nerve will just magically repair itself and I’ll start getting stronger again. So far, no luck.

But, we have had luck in other areas. Our little two and half year girl is in full potty training mode and doing pretty good. She’s already making “snakes” in the potty multiple times a day. Needless to say, we’re proud parents.

Have you ever dealt with or know someone who has dealt with atrophy?

Ever “fire” your doctor for something?

When Do Kids Remember the Doctor’s Office?

Getting older isn’t always all fun and games. At least, not when you have a visit to the doctor’s office on the agenda, no thanks to Mom and Dad. Our unsuspecting Avery found this out firsthand when we met Going Mom at the doctor’s for her 18 month checkup.

As I was driving, I wondered if Avery would remember the place where shots are given and have a change in her mood. I think I got my answer soon after walking in with my wife…

18 Month Check Up Waiting with Mommy

Yeah, she wasn’t getting the “good vibes” and I could almost see the wheels turning in her head as she flashed back to previous visits.

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That was her 5 month vaccination trip. As you can tell, we had a grand ol’ time! She definitely remembers that platform. Before there were even shots in sight, Avery freaked as we set her down just to get measurements. 21.6 pounds and 32 inches of pure terror love.

18 Month Check Up Crying Before Shot

What looks like a needle is just the nurse’s pen, if you were wondering. She seemed to calm down after realizing it was just a routine head circumference and length measurement that the nurse wanted and no shots…..yet. We let her roam around the room to explore as we both pulled out our phones to take pictures.

18 Month Check Up in Room Walking

Pictures in the doctor’s office are always a must. So many emotions to capture! We even took turns holding our sweet girl having the other take pictures.

18 Month Check Up With Daddy

I had to tickle her for that priceless smile. Then it was time for the shot. Only one, but it may as well of been fifty; she was irate. With the pitch of an opera singer, Avery let out screams of disapproval as she was held down on the soft and foamy platform torture bed.

18 Month Check Up Preparing for Shot

It really must feel like torture when you’re being held down against your will, huh? What kind of people are we?! Oh yeah, just the typical parents. Actually, there would be more shots if we followed the typical vaccination schedule, but since we’re not bombarding her all at once with shots, she should thank us. Maybe right after this stick….

18 Month Check Up Getting Shot

If you can’t tell, this is the exact moment the needle entered her upper quad region. Poor thing, that opera singer would be envious if she heard the screams emanating from the tiny room in the doctor’s office. There’s nothing like the comfort of Mom to make things better though.

18 Month Check Up Crying with Mommy
At least pull my pants back up!!

Well, that and a Cookie Monster sticker from the receptionist.

18 Month Check Up With Mommy

Just to make sure all is well in the world again, Kelley came back to the car to nurse Avery before she had to go back to work. Nursing right after getting shots is something she has done each time, and it is the perfect way to comfort your upset child.

I love how adamant Going Mom is about making sure Avery is calm and happy; such a wonderful Mommy! And wife! Today we are off to celebrate a neighbor’s 1 year old birthday party and then a belated Mother’s Day with our families. Looking forward to a good day and hopefully more ass healing!

At what age did your kids start to recognize the doctor’s office?

Any big plans for the weekend or just keeping it low key?

5 Month Vaccinations After Easter!

Yep, we’re that mean, we had our daughter get shots the day after Easter.

Pretty cruel, huh?

We are following the alternative vaccine schedule, so it wasn’t a lot of shots, but we’ll be there again in another month. Sorry, Avery.

Going Mom took the day off to go with us for the shots, and I always appreciate her company. I feel kind of guilty sometimes because when she’s home, I tend to do less of the baby tasks. But, Kelley does enjoy soaking up every extra second she can with Avery, so I don’t think she cares too much.

Once in the car, Avery was flashing us smiles unaware of her pending pricks.

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Avery surprised with a hefty poo while waiting in the doctor’s office and we immediately changed once she was in a room. With her diaper off, we put our squirmy baby on the scale to see how much she gained from her 4 month appointment. At 4 months, she was 13 lbs 9oz. and this time she was about 14lbs 13oz. Almost 15lbs!!

I love seeing how much more attentive Avery is with everything and she’ll grab whatever is in reach. We laid her on the patient table and she wasted no time grabbing the paper liner and bringing it to her mouth.

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Poor girl, so ignorant of what’s come.

Well, hello nice lady with blue hands.
Well, hello nice lady with blue hands.

There were 3 shots for the day and one nurse tried to console Avery as the other administered the shots.

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So much for the consoling, Avery lit up in tears within seconds. She made sure to hit the high chords so everyone knew she was NOT happy.

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With all of her squirming, Avery knocked one of the needles off the table requiring the nurse to prep a new one. No worries, Mommy was there to help soothe her.

Oh, okay, that wasn't too bad....
Oh, okay, that wasn’t too bad….

With the last needle ready, Going Mom the now somewhat content Avery back down.

Okay, I'm ready to go back in the car n...hey, wait...
Okay, I’m ready to go back in the car n…hey, wait…

The nurse was quick, but Avery let us know she felt the prick (I like rhymes, what can I say?).

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And once more, Super Mommy was there to calm our distraught daughter as Daddy just took pictures.

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At least she tried to console her. I think Avery lost her trust in us after thinking shots were over the first time. Now that she’s more aware of her surroundings, I wonder if she’ll pick up on the doctor’s office in another month.

Back in the car, I asked Avery if she was looking forward to her 6 month shots, and judging from her look, I’m thinking NO.

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We have been meaning to open a savings account for Avery, and decided to go after the appointment. As we sat in the cubicle with one of the bankers, he asked us for her social and we both turned to look at each other.

Crap! Shots after Easter and we can’t remember our daughter’s social security card! Oops, sorry, Avery.

To try and make it up to her, I offered to let her drive back home.

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She wasn’t impressed.

So I put her back in her car seat and we made a stop at Sprouts and an auto parts store before heading home.

Going Mom took advantage of being with us and she wore Avery in the Ergobaby Ventus that they sent me free of charge to review. Kelley was able to quickly put it on and get Avery secure before we went inside.

I made my usual zig-zag through the store as Kelley picked out some baby and lavender oils to make our own baby wipe solution. The solution will consist of baby oil, lavender oil, and tea tree oil. Hopefully this will aid in clearing Avery’s rash and we’ll feel better knowing the ingredients are pure and simple.

Going Mom’s extra day off was spent mostly with us just running around and doing errands, so hopefully we’ll be able to slow things down next weekend and enjoy playing with Avery together.

Have you ever followed up a fun day with your kids by having something not fun for them? Sayyyyy, like shots?

Do you make your own baby solutions for wipes, bathing, or general cleaning?