Unemployment is Hard on Soft Tissue

Its a well known fact that I posses an uncanny ability to injure myself.  After receiving the results of my left shoulder MRI, I can now officially add yet another soft tissue injury to the resume.  Dr. Proctor tells me that the labrum in my left shoulder is definitely torn to some degree.  The MRI also indicates possible damage to the insertion point for one of the two bicep tendons.  Neither of these injuries will heal on their own (or at least thats what I’m being told) so surgery is the recommended treatment.  However, Dr. Proctor also believes that neither of these conditions should worsen much if I’m judicious with my shoulder use and is totally comfortable with me limping forward on my own.  He’ll happily cut me up any time in the future with no hesitation, additional office visits or charges.  After all, the best way to see what’s wrong is to get in there with some scopes and see for yourself.  

So I’ll hold off.  I’m not ready to spend thousands of dollars to possibly be “on the bench” for 6 months (assuming the tendon needs repair).  I believe I can manage for at least a little while longer.  Afterall I’m more or less functionable right?  Truth be told I’ve had torn cartilage in at least my right knee since 2004 and although its limited my ability to torque on the joint I’m still able to do most “normal” activities.  Maybe some day when life is more predictable I’ll settle down and get these “issues” taken care of”.  For now, I’ll continue to roll the die and hope for the best.  

I mean, cmon, I’ve got projects at the Tor right?  How could I slow down now?  Last weekend I reached a new high point on No Skill 5.12c, about as high as one can get without ticking the damn thing.  I fell with the anchors in my face and rope in my hand.  There just wasn’t enough gas in the tank to get the damn rope through the cold shuts.  So I got on Chips Ahoy 5.12d. Even though a little voice in my head was telling me to stop while I was ahead a slightly stronger voice chimed in,  “If your project feels hard, just get on something harder.” And... I tweaked my finger clipping off the two finger pocket down low.  I don’t think its major, but I probably won’t be cranking for a few weeks.  I need a job ASAP.   

Oh to be young... 13 year old Kevin Ott locks off at his waist on Auto Magic 5.12a