If this is how it is going to be, I do not want to live, I told myself. A lifetime, hell, the equivalent of several lifetimes of heavy physical work had so worn my shoulders that the unceasing pain dominated my thoughts. Six years without a solid nights' sleep was taking a toll. My will to carry on was faltering.
Hand-splitting hundreds of cords of firewood, hand-shearing a hundred thousand Christmas trees, handling thousands of tons of rock, working concrete, chainsawing, and shoveling acres of soil destroyed my shoulder function.
" Don't worry Fred, everything will be fine," said Dr. Carofino. Up to that point, I was filled with trepidation while prepped for a ream and run operation. All of that angst was dispelled by Dr. Carofino's calm and quietly confident demeanor. I went into surgery trusting those words.
Late that night, even after a long day in the OR, Dr. Carofino made certain to see me and check my progress. He had done his job well.
Then began my job of five-times-a-day stretches; damn painful by my choice of not taking medication beyond the first prescription. And, wonder of wonders, I slept through the night for the first time in 6 years! Pain? Sure, but laughable compared to the every-hour-of-every-day misery prior to surgery.
Today, at the 8-week mark, having performed my exercises religiously, I feel transformed. Dr. Carofino's skill has altered my life's outlook from one of not caring to live, to one of itching to fully return to my physical lifestyle.
And though I live 2 states away, Dr. Carofino's assistant, Brice Snyder is always at the ready to answer questions regarding rehabilitation.
Thanks, Brad. You have made life worth living again.
