Visit to U. of U. Orthopaedic clinc

The BMT clinic visit yesterday was short and routine.  My vitals were taken by Donessa, a new to me, nurses aide who said that she has been working several months, but not on the Mondays that I have been going in. I was seated in chair 6 in the Infusion Room and waited quite some time for Grace to come put the line in my port; there was no blood to be drawn, but the Velczde infusion was slowed somewhat by the requirement that it be administered while saline solution was flowing in.  Sometimes it is done this way and I asked why the difference and was told by Meghan that the size of the syringe sent up by the pharmacy determines the need for the saline: a small syringe requires the saline and a normal size one does not even though the volume of Velcade is the same no matter the size of the syringe.  I had not seen Meghan for quite some time and learned that she has been working upstairs in the large Infusion Room. She was substituting for Camille and will be doing so next Monday.  I had wanted to tell Camille that I had finally taken her advice about seeing Dr. Tashjian with an appointment for the next day.

My appointment with Dr.Tashjian was today at 10:30 and I got there at 10:17, but didn't see him until after 11:00 what with registering, filling out forms, and going to their x-ray lab for 4 x-rays of my right shoulder.  I then saw a younger doctor, Dr. Holt, who questioned me about my fall on January 30 that has led to this visit.  He said that they had obtained the x-rays taken by Radiology in the Huntsman Hospital on Feb.3, but these were not clear enough for Dr.Tashjian's use.  When Dr. Tashjian came in he tested my reflexes and compared the movement of my right arm with that of my left and finally told me that it is not arthritis that is affecting my right arm and shoulder, but more likely is rotator cuff damage, which he said is very common in old codgers like myself and quite often the individual is unaware of the damage.  He thinks therapy should fix me up to the point that I can try to play golf again, but he won't prescribe the therapy until he sees the results of a MRI examination of my right shoulder and upper arm.  I was then dismissed and taken to a desk where I was scheduled for the MRI next Tuesday at noon and then was told that I will be able to see the doctor right after that.

The two doctors questioned me about how I use my arm, how painful that is, and what, if any, exercises I have been doing.  I told them about my work in the wood shop that isn't painful, but can be tiring; the most painful thing is driving my stick-shift pickup truck and carrying heavy objects.  My exercising is limited to walking around the block and 30 push ups that I do each morning, which is quite painful to my right arm but the pain diminishes as I continue the push ups.  They expressed amazement that I can do so many push ups, but when I told Emma about their reaction she said I don't really do push ups because I don't lower my head to the floor.  I have thought about challenging her to do some to show me how, but then thought better.