2011 is here and The Sling Clozet continues to provide you with the best products for your comfort, healing and fashion.  Thanks to all of our Damaged Wings for choosing us as the best in products and service.

We would like to begin this year’s blog with the telling of our story; how we came to be.

It was probably inevitable that Sharon Christian would one day go under the knife.

As a sales executive in high-end designer eyewear, the years of toting heavy bags and display cases finally caught up to Sharon.  In 2007, she tore her rotator cuff.  Successful surgery followed, but she never anticipated how slow and painful recuperation would be.

The morning of surgery,  Linda and I went to the hospital.  After the usual paper pushing, we entered the little cubicle to change clothes and “get ready.”  Nurses and technicians hustle in and out and my doctor came in to explain again what was involved with the rotator cuff surgery and the nerve block that would be administered.  This block, I was told, would last 24 hours.

Surgery went great, my doctor informed Linda all was well and she came in shortly after I came to.  The nurse arrived, took my vitals for the last time and told me I could get dressed and go home.

And, she left.

Well, OK then.  Linda got my clothes and we proceeded to get dressed.  I had the foresight to wear loose, elastic waist pants and a large, loose fitting button down shirt.

Of course, putting the pants on was no problem.  Since my arm was in an ugly blue polyester sling, we tried to just wrap the top around me, with my good arm in one sleeve.  Not easy.  I though I had worn a big enough shirt.  Wrong!  We barely got it buttoned.  I just wanted to be sure my “goobers” weren’t showing!!  That outfit that Linda made fun of save us. 

We made it home and, of course, I was feeling no pain.  Seemed like a good time to have a cocktail.  Several actually, and then we ordered in a fabulous diner.  All was well, until…

It was 6:00AM and the pain was excruciating.  Believe me when I tell you, when they say the block wears off in 24 hours, it really does.

I went into the bedroom where Linda was sleeping and woke her.  I needed help.  She was up immediately and an Oxycontin was in my mouth.

My first bit of advice:  do not wait until the block wears off.  You need to take the pain meds before; they need to build up in your system.  Save yourself the pain.

Another important thing you need to know is you cannot sleep lying down for the first 48 hours.  Too painful and doctor’s orders.  The best way to sleep is in a reclining chair.  Since I didn’t have one of those, we propped me up on the loveseat with pillows behind me and under my arm for support.  Hence, the invention of our “Prop.”  But more on that later.

Please feel free to email us your comments and questions.  We would love to hear your own experiences as we continue our store.