The Left Shoulder

I was honored to play in last Novembers annual church football game. The Youth against the Oats. In other words....the young against the has beens. Usually the youth really sock it to us, but this year they didn't fair so well. I don't want to mention the score, but it was like 60 something to 7, and a lot of fun.

It was all fun and games until someone hurt their shoulder. That would be me. I played 6 years of football at a competitive level and I personally love the sport. Strategy, physical contact, execution of athletic skill on the fly. However, at the age 32 chasing a 17 year old who has more energy than the energizer bunny, not to mention a great set of wheels, and a competitive spirit, my mind (ego) chooses to mislead me into thinking that I could catch him.

Allow me to set the stage. Fourth quarter, they were down by a ton, and this kid was determined to score. Well, I was just as determined not to let him. I was playing inside line-backer and he was playing tail-back. He ran the ball to the right. I predicted his path and chose my angle. I pushed him to the side line and at this point in an organized level of football my job would have been successful. In football an inside line-backers job is to make the tackle on the run, stuff the hole, or push the runner to the outside. In which, the outside line-backer would execute his duty of pushing him back to the inside. Well, my outside line-backer was no where to be found leaving the 17 year old (130 lbs) and the 32 year old (230 lbs) all alone. Needless to say Jordan Johnson turned the corner, hit the after burners and took off like a gazelle. My 32 year old mind told me I could still catch him, if and only if I dove. So I did, and I missed. With my left arm completely extended I hit the ground and heard a loud POP! I jumped up like nothing happened, and it didn't hurt, but I knew I was in trouble. However, I still thought I would be better in a few weeks, so I continued playing.

Here it is over four months later and my shoulder is still killing me and I can't lift my arm past a 45 degree angle without feeling excruciating pain! I was told that shoulders usually heal in three months so I refused to see the doctor....because I AM A MAN! Doctors are for sissy's, and injuries are for the feeble. LOL......just joking.

My wife told me that they had a meeting at work about laying people off due to the economic downturn, and since she carries our insurance through her work I figured it might be a good idea to get my shoulder looked at now while we still have insurance. Not that she is getting laid off, but just in case.

So I went to Dr. Chang and he said, "You have shouder injury u need x-way. X-way no show u notting, u need specawist. But fust u go x-way. Insuwance all cwazy. Don't do nutting wight." LOL hence the name Change. I got a copy of the x-rays and Dr. Chang was right......x-ways no show nutting. I made an appointment for March 30th with the specialist. I closed my shop early potentially losing customers and money and showed up at the specialists office with my x-rays. I found out upon arrival that the specialist was on VACATION! Sorry for the inconvenience, but the specialist will not be able to see you until April 8th.


Keep you posted.