I know it’s winter but it has nothing to do with a Frozen Shoulder – really. It’s where the range of shoulder movement becomes progressively restricted.

2011

Having had my left shoulder operated on successfully in November 2011, my consultant at the time advised there was a 20% chance of the Frozen Shoulder condition migrating to the right shoulder within a few years.

2015

He was right.

As predicted, movement began to deteriorate in my right shoulder. My consultant at Guernsey’s Medical Specialist Group, Mr Armstrong (what a great name for an arm and shoulder consultant!) examined me, and booked me in for a shoulder operation, an ‘Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression’.

Princess Elizabeth Hospital

Last Wednesday it all happened. I checked in as a Day Patient at 0730 hrs and donned one of those awful gowns which flaunts your bottom to the world. My embarrassment was heightened when I was handed a pair of paper underpants ‘to preserve my modesty’.

The moment I was wheeled to theatre, a nurse never left my side. And when I woke up after the op, a nurse was there beside me. Now I could, of course, say it’s because of my magnetic personality and great looks, or maybe they were concerned I’d do a ‘runner’.

Reality was that they were excellent nurses, being allowed to nurse. A general anaesthetic and two small keyhole incisions was all it had taken to unfreeze the shoulder.

I felt so looked after. So cared for. So much so that Lin collected me at 1400 hrs.

Guernsey has a great medical service.

Piers
From the recovery suite of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55