Wow..these are all so beautiful!!! mel I hope you get to feeling better! mary lu I have followed your progress from when you first posted pictures and your gardens always amaze me! I go to the cottage garden forum often, mostly just read and look... Another one of my favorites is also on the cottage garden forum from 'gottagarden' and her red bed. She posted pictures of her 2nd year w/this bed and as usual my mouth drops when I see her pictures too See the link below Dena Here is a link that might be useful: Red Bed 2nd Year

Sorry it took so long for me to get back to this. I wanted to respond when I had more time to read over everything better. Oakley - With the MRI first I was hoping they could better direct the PT without causing more harm. I didn't talk directly with the Dr. about my results and I'm scheduled to meet with the surgeon in a few weeks. That rotator stuff sounds terrible! Natal - Thanks for the link! I'm adding it to my list of options. "Earlier this year I could barely kneel down, now I can stoop down with no problem." That's great! Dlm - The knee surgeries sound bad but the collar bone..hooboy. I remember a guy in school broke his collar bone during a soccer game. That just sounds like a really bad area to break. I've been hearing better things about liquid glucosamine/condroitin vs. the pills too. Thanks! Tina - Actually I'm scheduled to see the same Dr. that I'm seeing for me knee. - On the same day as my knee appointment! Come to find out he does lots of shoulders too. Mitch - Thanks for the article. I've also heard it doesn't work. I didn't realize until recently about the shellfish. Does your knee still bother you or did/does strengthening the other muscles work pretty well? Judiegal - I'm sorry to hear about your shoulder and your back. Is your shoulder pain free now? It's interesting how I've noticed in the past year how I've taken my health for granted. I never realized how much I actually use my knee or shoulder until I started having pain. Trailrunner - Thank you for the link. Yeah, I didn't think PT was supposed to actually hurt. I never had any major surgeries so I don't know, I guess if you were cut open and start therapy it's not going to feel real special but when I was going for my knee the Dr. kept asking and stressing how I shouldn't be feeling any pain during the exercises. Maybe just due to my specific circumstance. ? Liz-beth - I'll look into the Physiatrist. LOL I'm glad you clarified because I didn't catch that at first. :) Thanks! Liriodendron - Wow, PT on the same day as surgery doesn't sound appealing to me either! I'm going to look into the myofascial PT. I have pretty good insurance but I wonder if that's covered or if I'd have to go to regular PT first. I did some quick reading about it (plan to do more) but it sounds like it involves more stretching thank regular PT. I like that you sent a Christmas card to the surgeon! :) You don't have to continue some type of regular home routine for your shoulder? "My myofascial PT told me that small to moderate tears can stabilize themselves, or at least heal in enough to no longer matter" Good to hear! I just dug out my report thinking it said the SLAP tear was mild but that was regarding the tendinosis. One of the things in the reports says "There is abnormal linear intrasubstrance signal within the superior labrum, oriented in the superolateral direction, extending posterior to the biceps-labral anchor, compatible with a SLAP tear." Yeeah, I wish somewhere the whole report was in simple terms so I didn't have to look up so much, lol. I was doing some thinking trying to figure out maybe what exactly I originally did to cause the problem. I can’t think of anything but I do remember wiping out in the middle of the store a few months ago and doing down hard. I'm sure that didn't help You know, both feet in the air; purse flying. Of course, a lady saw me. I remember why I don’t wear those shoes anymore and they went in the trash as soon as I got home. Thank you everyone who took the time to share your stories and thoughts. I have more digging around to do and I'm putting together a list of questions to talk with the Dr. about. I like looking at different options. I've been saying this for some time now but we're planning on starting a family soon and that's another big reason I don't want surgery. I'm sure I'll need my arms a lot! Thanks again and I'll keep you all posted.

polly929 wrote: Yes, orthopedic surgeons. Go see one. He/She will refer you to the appropriate PT or MRI if needed. MRIs use magnets not radiation, there should be no issue with exposing that area. Yes they cost a lot of money, if you're shoulder becomes useless it may be necessary, but that is up to a doctor to decide. I will never understand why if you have a health problem you would discuss it on a discussions side of a decorating forum and get other people's opinions or experiences rather than see a specialist. Wow. That's a pretty curt and judgemental response but that's just my opinion. Because what I glean from that response is that anyone that would ask about a medical issue on a forum is an idiot. Seems to be par for the course around here much too much, again...just my opinion and one of the reasons I lurk more than post. I will say that the overwhelming majority of posts here are polite and friendly - I enjoy reading those. People frequent forums because they like to ask questions, read about the experiences of others, share their experiences, get helpful information, and, sometimes, just have a simple conversation on the discussions or off topic section of a decorating, car, garden, or whatever forum. ~Back on topic~ To answer Oakley's OP, I do have experience with mild to severe pain in every joint in my body but no distinct problems with my shoulders. I just live with it. Sometimes, I have really bad days but can still function. It started happening around 10 years ago and got to the point a few years later where I had to take one stair at a time (still happens from time to time). I don't go to the Doctor for every little thing but decided to go to an Orthopedic Surgeon and get the whole work-up. Diagnosis: Age - exactly what I thought Treatment: Joint specific exercises and OTC pain relief. I just ordered this supplement from Dr. Mercola. He's a proponent of natural health as well as a Physician, Surgeon, and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. He's a frequent guest on Dr. Oz's show and always interesting. Anyway, read about it, might be worth a try. Dr. Mercola on Dr. Oz Astaxanthin on Mercola.com Hope your shoulder feels better, Oakley.

Lol My3dogs!!!!! That pic is SUCH a classic! Still makes me smile & chuckle! Yes, in the burgundy chair, he's clearly saying "thanks for the nice bed Mom"! Got the Sanford-ortho "Preparing for surgery" packet today....Uffda! Surgeon's scheduling-secretary & myself will hammer out a date in April. It really was gracious of him to open-up his Tues & Thur's, to get me fixed-up in April!!! Thank you all for your help & encouragement! Faron