doctor as patient

This morning I make my way to the trauma clinic to consult my favourite orthopod about my shoulder injury. 8 weeks ago I was attempting (in front of my wife) to demonstrate what I believe is called a "power press", that move in which one performs a press-up so energetically that one leaves the ground for long enough to clap the hands together, but singularly failed to do so, crashing down onto my right shoulder.

I gave it what is usually considered to be a reasonable period of time in which to heal, but, this being to no avail, sought advice from an old friend. It is 5 years since I last saw him (on that occasion for a knee cartilage problem) and my first thought was that time had not been good to him. Perhaps he thought the same about me. Having examined me, a process which elicited more pain than I have experienced since its inception, he concluded (as had I)that it was probably a minor rotator cuff tear and made me feel a lot better by suggesting that it might not require an operation (with my smoker's lungs I have good reason to fear a general anaesthetic)and that it might heal by itself given a few months. But I will need an MRI to be sure.

On the weather front, my barograph (a gift from a generous patient) today registers 32.25", the highest pressure I have recorded in the nearly 4 years it has been in my possession. In summer this would mean glorious warmth and unbroken blue skies, but in winter it more often spells monotonous grey days and freezing nights. No snow is forecast, however.