Mike and Gary:
No... I have not been out in the woods at all this year. I have been taking this rehab on my shoulder real slow and real cautious. This last go'round concerned me quite a bit. I've never had this severe of lingering pain for such a long time. I experienced significant pain for over a year! I had given up on my shoulder healing itself many times over that year, but I kept working on it and my wife helped me stretch it out a couple of times a week and it finally started to improve.
It was crazy! I would be in sheer agony while lying on the floor when Michelle would slowly stretch out my shoulder joint. It was like someone was sticking a white-hot poker in my shoulder! I was almost certain that the only way I was going to alleviate the pain was to have surgery, but after a few months of stretching the shoulder started to show improvement, which was extremely glorifying and encouraging!
I have pulled my bow back once since the pain decreased in intensity. I was actually afraid to pull it back. I was really concerned that I would tear my shoulder to pieces, but fortunately the shoulder joint held out. I am working with free weights and on the Total Gym regularly, so in a month or two I will try to actually shoot my bow. With concentrated effort and a serious commitment to a weekly workout program, I should be able to chase turkeys this spring.
It's tough sitting it out, but sometimes in life you are the hammer and sometimes you are the nail. I guess it was my turn to be the nail!
I do NOT miss the Lake Effect Snow that we used to get in Wisconsin, so I do feel your pain, Mike!
Good luck to you guys for the rest of the season.
Take care and Good Hunting!
Best Afield,
Steve
