no... i haven't fallen off the face of the earth. just a lot to process.
my right armpit area and back muscles have been pretty sore. they gave me a sling to use until the stitches come out on the 23rd. it's dark blue with a big maize university of michigan "m"... which doesn't make jenn & all the other msu fans in the area too happy. but it reminds me to use that arm less. funny, they don't want me using it much, but they want me to use it. i think they're hoping to avoid the shoulder freezing thing. the sling also acts as a warning to people as they approach me with that "give me a big hug" look. through months of crashes, i'm slowly learning the art of pain-free hugs.
right arm side hug...
i can't raise my right arm high enough to put it around someone... and wouldn't want to anyway. so this won't work.
left arm side hug...
if i give someone a "left arm side hug"... (one of those "shoulder to shoulder" thingys) they instintively put their right arm around me... and their hand ends up on my right shoulder area. so that's not ideal.
right arm tuck...
for this little beauty, i keep my right arm close to my body so they are forced to hug on the outside. still painful, but less so... unless they decide to give me a bear hug. youch!
full frontal...
use only with the "right arm tuck" and preferably with a sling. on rare ocassions i've tried the "combination full frontal / right arm tuck" and, at the last second, a few have managed to sneak their hand between my arm and side. up until now i've been able to stifle my "moan" and bury my wince in their shoulder... but since my last surgery, there's no way i'm gonna allow someone to get close enough to even risk them fooling me. so... i doubt i'm going to attempt this with anyone...except maybe family members.
half frontal...
this is the "frontal hug", turned slightly. it seems to work best, but requires a fair amount of skill. you have to keep your head back a bit so they don't assume you're inviting a "full frontal"... while not throwing your chin up so as to appear aloof. also... if you point your left shoulder too much, it may send them into a "left arm hug."
it doesn't give you quite the pleasure of a "full frontal", but it's better than going through total hug withdrawal.
the sling really helps with all the above. people just stay clear
... especially if they're spartan fans.
Well Randy you are right when a person bleeds green and white that blue arm sling is a little gaudy and well just wrong!!! But one must consider where it came from and as long as it does the trick I guess speaking for all Spartan fans we can overlook it.
Many cyper space hugs for you and many prayers.
Posted by: Robbin Stuart | May 15, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Thank you for the mid-afternoon laugh! It takes a real warrior to laugh in the face of pain!
Posted by: justin | May 15, 2007 at 02:52 PM
[img]http://bestsmileys.com/hugging/1.gif[/img]
hope it shows .... just a hug for ya.
Posted by: scooterb | May 16, 2007 at 07:06 AM
I am SOOO sorry if I gave you a painful hug!!!
Posted by: Jake | May 16, 2007 at 02:35 PM
you constantly amaze me with how much you think about stuff!!! hug techniques?? only you! i'm figuring out that i should be crediting/blaming (not sure which one yet) you for my meta-thinking capabilities. Love you dude.
Posted by: Corey | May 16, 2007 at 11:18 PM
I can teach you how to not hug. Finally I understand why God made me how I am and why your attempts to turn me into a hugger were never quite successful. I am here for you Randy, ready to teach you how to hug with your eyes, avoiding all physical contact.
Posted by: Rick Lingenfelter | May 17, 2007 at 10:58 AM
Hey Randy,
You sure were a sight for sore eyes yesterday. (That's not to imply that you made my eyes sore.) I just never expected to see you answering the door.
I still think you'd be wise to have a "designated hugger" with you at all times. You know how Cinderella or Dopey have somebody that hangs with them all day at Disney World in case a fan gets a little overzealous? Your "D H" could intercept hugs and transfer them to you later when you're better able to be on the receiving end. Hey, they could even give out the hugs too. Just a thought.
Well, I'm sending you a guaranteed 100% pain-free cyber hug today! Oh, and one for the adorable Beth too.
hUUUUUUUUUUUg!
Vicky
Posted by: Vicky Lorencen | May 17, 2007 at 05:14 PM