Category: Dr. Kam

Shoulder Doctor Appointment

On July 7, 2017 I went to see Dr. Kam, the doctor who did my half shoulder replacement. I first want to say he is an amazing doctor and I am so thankful to him.

We talked about my range of motion since I last seen him, since I haven’t been in PT, he said it is better than last time. I wasn’t sure if it was because of not being in PT. We also talked about how long ago my surgery was, which is 1 year as of June 24. I am so proud of the progress I have made. We have now worked up to seeing him once a year, of course we can come in sooner if needed. Most of all, I am so proud of my progress. This surgery has taken away my pain, besides a little pain ever so often, and now I can move it without hurting. I thank my family for being by my side through all of this. I also thank God for helping make the decision to go forward with all of that as well as him put his hands on the nurses and surgeons.

Maybe by the next time I need another shoulder replacement, we will some new things we don’t have now..

I Passed!!!!/My One Year

On June 24,

I went to the DMV to take my permit test. I have taken before and failed by just a little bit, so I was so nervous and anxious. BUT GUESS WHAT!! I passed, I am so proud of myself. I really owe thanks to my family for believing in me, because I really wasn’t sure if I could do this..

Also, June 24th marked my one year after my shoulder replacement surgery. I am so thankful to Dr. Kam for all he has done for me. He is an amazing doctor. An I am so thankful to have had him as my doctor.

 

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PT Kicked My Butt??

08/12/16

This morning, I had physical therapy. I couldn’t wait for it because of getting new orders from my shoulder surgeon, Dr. Kam.

As soon as I walked in, they noticed I didn’t have the brace on. I then told them how excited I was and that I had new protocol for them. Some new exercises were added with new orders. With these new orders, comes harder work outs. Today, those exercises really kicked my butt! Lol! Today we added pullies and a bar exercise the stretches out my arm. I was really worked out today! Added these new exercises, I really need to stay on to of my pain medication.

Although, I was in pain after physical therapy I am glad to be at this point in my journey. I am so proud of myself and how hard I have worked! It is the little victories! I am thankful my arm is doing well enough to increase my exercises. I thank my family, friends and everyone who has supported me! I thank God for giving me the strength to endure these things!

(Boy am I sore though! They really kicked my booty!)

Shoulder Replacement Update

Yesterday, I have had my 6 week after surgery appointment with Dr. Kam. He previously told us after 6 weeks out from my replacement I wouldn’t have to wear the brace anymore and we would get new orders for physical therapy.

When we went to my appointment yesterday he said that I don’t need the brace anymore, except for when school starts to make people more aware. He also said I can start to move it just no pushing, pulling, lifting, or putting it behind my back. He gave us some new protocol to follow for physical therapy. He helped me active assistively move my arm. At the end of the visit, we looked at the x-rays he had taken when we got there. My shoulder replacement looks amazing, everything is lining up properly and nothing is hurt or damaged. It looks really nice and clean. 

I am so thankful for all the people who have supported me and helped me get through this. Especially, with all I have been dealing with lately. I am so happy with all my progress I have made. I have been working hard and trying to not push myself but not slack off at the same time. I thank God for supporting and being by my side and letting me never lose faith.

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Surgery Update

July 9,

Hey guys! I am so sorry I am updating so late. It has been crazy since I got out of the hospital. I have been on heavy medicine, which causes me to sleep a lot.

I have been doing well though. The surgery was a success and everything went well. Thanks to Dr. Kam, my amazing doctor and surgeon. I am now two weeks out from surgery. I started physical therapy right away, only doing passive movements. Which means I can’t move my arm by myself.

For a little back story; due to the AVN the steroids and cancer treatments caused, I had to under go surgery. From the AVN, my shoulder began to collapse. It had went so far that my last two options were having a half shoulder replacement or using a cadaver. So, knowing this I prayed about it. After praying for a week or so, I felt like God was telling me to continue with the shoulder replacement.

Through this process, I thank God for helping me through this journey so far and being by my side! He gives me the strength to get through everything I have gone through. Just like my bible verse that helped me through my cancer, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” With God by my side I can do or go through anything!                                                                                                                    I would also like to thank everyone who has stood by my side and supported me! Especially my family, they have always been right by my side cheering me on. I am so thankful for that! They love me to death and I love them too! They do anything to cheer me up and put a smile on my face!                                                                                       Another person whose support I am thankful for is my best friend Natalie. Even though she lives many miles away in California, she supports me lots. Our talks help calm me down and know that I can get through this. I love her lots and am thankful for a bestie like her!

Shoulder Replacement Update

This week, Tuesday the 29th we went to see my shoulder doctor, Dr. Kam. From my bone doctor, we were told my shoulder is closed. So we went and seen Dr. Kam to let him know and see where we are going from here (surgery?).

If you guys haven’t read my post before about my shoulder I ‘ll give you a little background. I went through 2 1/2 years of cancer treatment for Pre-B Cell High Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The steroids and medicine have caused me AVN of both knees and my left shoulder. Due to the a vascular necrosis, my shoulder is pretty much destroyed. I now need a shoulder replacement.

I have been waiting for my growth plate to close so that I am at skeletal maturity and can go ahead with surgery. Well, now I am closed and ready for surgery. We talked about all the complications, what this journey will consist of, and what happens once I go down this road. It is a huge decision deciding to have a shoulder replacement, especially at my age. My huge deciding factor was pain relief.

I thank God over all for being with me through this journey and never leaving my side. I have prayed countless days and nights over what I should do and what is the best decision. I thank him for putting the right people and doctor in my life to take care of me. I am so thankful for my family for being by my side, always taking care of me, and loving me.

Doctor Appointment

Last week, Wednesday, I went to see a specialist about my shoulder and replacing it.

While I was on chemo I was also taking steroids as a part of my treatment. Which caused bone necrosis in my left shoulder and both knees. My shoulder has now collapsed and is no longer there. It causes me extreme amounts of pain. Because my shoulder is so bad my options are very limited. Dr. Kam basically told my parents and I that I have two options: 1. Leave the shoulder as it is.  Or  2. Do the shoulder replacement and use the smallest replacement. We  definitely want to go with the replacement but. neither have that great of  an outcome.

He said, “Kids think oh well my arm is better so I can go an play baseball or something. Because kids are more active their replacements wear out quickly.”

He then asked my hobbies which are writing, reading, art, crocheting, blogging, and much more. Dr. Cam told me those are good hobbies because my arm won’t be moving in crazy ways that will wear it out easy. He does want to give me some range of motion back which right now I have close to non.

I shared my concern of being worried about how long the replacement will last. He responded, “That is a good worry to have. It tells me that you will take care of your shoulder after surgery.”

My growth plate is still open and Dr. Kam said as soon as they close he can do the surgery. About 3 months maybe longer, it is almost closed though. He will have a mature bone so during surgery he can treat my shoulder like an adult bone.

He showed us the replacement. It will have a really short stem that will go down in the bone and a round head that sits where the dead bone was. The surgery will be about an hour and a half. I will be in the hospital for two days and he will stitch it up on the inside so I can take a shower when I get home. I will wear a sling to protect the Rotator Cuff because he has to cut through it to put the replacement in. Recovery will be about six to eight months.

It is hard to hearing all of this news. I am almost 15 and I shouldn’t be dealing with this. God didn’t bring me this far to leave me now. I continue you to have faith in him and it will not waiver.