Teeth Really Do Matter

Hospital administrators in Alabama needed to find a way to explain discharge instructions to patients but they could not be sure that the instructions could be understood because of low intelligence. They did a study which correlated the number of tattoos with the number of teeth a person had and they have been able to draw conclusions from this. For those patients UNDER 60 years old:

The conclusion they found was the more tattoos a person has and the fewer teeth that person has...
the lower the intelligence. The hospital knew that it had to spend more time explaining instructions to these individuals.

If you would like to see the article yourself:


http://www.gomerblog.com/2014/03/tattoo-tooth/

To you and I, this is no surprise.

My First Post Surgery Visit to My Surgeon

Yesterday I had my first check up for my shoulder in New York City at Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Gulatto was delighted my results after viewing the new x-ray. One more week in my sling, start Physical Therapy now and perhaps back to work in two weeks... We can't ask for more than that.

Many of the advancements in shoulder repair/replacement are the result of research performed by the surgeons at Hospital for Special Surgery. They learn, compile the information, evaluate information and then determine what treatment or techniques work well and what can be tweaked to make things better. In order to show my great appreciation for my surgeon, I made a sizable contribution to the Hospital for Special Surgery for Dr. Gulatto's research. I would encourage others to support improvements in medicine by making contributions to Hospitals, Universities and private groups (Smile Train, etc) so that we all can have great care like I have had.

Again, I want to thank all of  you for the cards, calls and prayers. I know that I have a very special relationship with MY PATIENTS  which goes beyond "fix my tooth, doc." I want you to know how much I appreciate having YOU as my patient. It is a privilege to take care of each and every one of you. Your comments in the cards are overwhelming and bring me to tears...THANK YOU.

Healing

Healing can be divided into several equally important areas, some are measurable and some are not.
1. pain
2. bone healing around the new shoulder
3. sleeping
4. ability to concentrate/anxiety

Pain is tolerable during  the day without any pain meds. Night time  is a different story. My shoulder just aches and the pain meds never last as long as the period that they are prescribed for.

Bone healing is something that will be evaluated on my first post op check, Thursday in NYC after an x-ray is taken.

Sleeping remains a problem partly because of pain and partly because it is difficult to get comfortable

All anesthesia lingers in my body and makes me feel lousy. I can't concentrate on one thing for any length of time.I just get bored quickly which makes me anxious that I am not doing anything.

I hate the concept of retirement with each passing day. I need a purpose in my life and readingnewspapers, the internet and TV just don't do  it for me.

I thank you all for the thoughts, prayers and kind words.

Five Hours is a long time

When I posted my last blog at 4:13 AM, my average sleep period was 2 hour segments.

I awoke at 9:30 and literally felt like a new person.     My enormously swollen hand almost looked like my normal hand.

I literally felt like a new dawn of day. Let's hope that today marks the beginning of a true recovery.

5 hours IS a long time.

4:13 AM

The nature of traumatic injuries is that treatment is complex but healing is just as complex.

The title of this post "4:13 AM"  indicates the time that I am writing this blog because I can only sleep in short...2 hour...periods.  I have not slept through the night since February 24, the date of my accident.

I can't get comfortable to fall asleep and chronic pain makes it a certainty that I won't remain asleep.

I know that I am getting better because the exercises that the surgeon gave me are getting easier to perform.

I will get better and I will return to work...I have no doubts.

What my injury has done for me is to give me a very clear understanding of what retirement will be like...And I already hate it.

I have always been an avid reader of obituaries in The New York Times and I have paid particular attention to death notices of  long time practicing physicians and dentists. In every obit, the family of the physician made a point of saying how important his or her  patients were in the life of the doctor.

With little to do, life is becoming a little clearer for me.

Getting Better

I am now one week following a reverse shoulder replacement.

There is little doubt that I have made great strides towards recovery and it my every hope that I will achieve a 100% return to health and function.  It is just not fun to heal.

I sincerely appreciate all of the calls, cards, emails and flowers and fruit. For the last 40 years, I have always tried to have a special relationship with my patients and it is times like this that I KNOW that I do.

The worst part of this entire event is that I am not there to take care of you when you need me.

As it is written: "And this too shall  pass."

Heath Update

We have received emails at work through our website asking for updates about how I am doing and I guess that this is as good a way as any to keep you informed.

In the biggest picture, I continue to do well.

I don't have a lot of pain but on a moment to moment basis, I can have significant pain. If you have to ask me how I am doing, I would use the word "miserable."

I would much rather be taking care of you, my patients than doing anything else. That is what gives me purpose.

Sorry, Your Fired!!!!

Politicians say foolish things all the time and sometimes I read something that is said by a politician and think,

"You can't be this dumb and be leading the greatest country in the world."

Well I saw a story on CNN yesterday and ran into the bedroom to tell Susan that it was time to fire another Senator.

What could possibly get me so riled up 3 days after shoulder replacement?

Senator Lindsey Graham has never sent an email.

If an adult living in the United States in the year 2015 has never sent an email, it is time for that person to go back to his cave.

I'm sorry but that is like a Senator who doesn't know how to read.

How am I Feeling?

It is three days post surgery for a reverse shoulder replacement and I am doing quite well.

Every time I think of the extensive head injuries that I could have had and how lucky  I have been, I realize  how blessed that I am.

And of course, I thank Susan for her incredible love, care and concern.

These are all challenges in the journey called life.

MY HEROES

Your lawyer takes care of your legal issues.
Your accountant takes care of your financial issues.
Your car mechanic takes care of your car.

Only your physician (or anyone devoted to keep you thriving) takes care of YOU.

And that is why some of my physicians have been my heroes.

Dr. Roger Seibel (deceased) saved my life and gave me a life on July 18, 1976 when he spent all night reattaching my leg after it was severed in a car accident with a drunk driver. He was  a rare trauma surgeon who was the best of his time.

Dr. David Altchek a highly regarded sports medicine surgeon who takes care of the finest athletes in the world and one old dentist, me. Dr. Altchek got me back to work before I would have to be placed on the 30 day disability list.

Dr. Thomas Sculco, a highly rated knee surgeon who has clinical skills, talent and judgment to make him one of the most sought after in the nation. After sizing up the previous injuries to my knee area, Dr Sculco knew exactly how he would go about my knee replacement when others said that it could not be done.

Lastly, Dr. Lawrence Gulotta, another highly regarded shoulder  surgeon who agreed to see me on short notice at the request of Dr. Sculco's office. Recognizing the seriousness of the injury and the fact that it may shorten my career, Dr. Gulotta agreed to perform surgery the following day. His office did exactly what my office, Dr Banchs' office and what my other specialist do: they called and made my appointments for scans, x-rays, blood work up, physical and EKG.

My physicians have always gone out of their way to take care of me and make me feel special.

And that is why my doctors are my heroes.

(Drs. Altchek, Sculco and Gulotta all practice at Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC)