Since my last update I've gotten married, went for a fantastic honeymoon in the south island of NZ, been to Rowany Festival and gotten a dislocated right shoulder, been to both the Autumn gathering and Pencampwr and Wendy has gotten a new iPhone.
I dislocated my right shoulder on the first day of Festival (good Friday), in the third bout we fought as the Aneala Heraldic Melee team, when transitioning from an offside snap to an on-side chop, with my hand passing behind my head. It was quite painful, though not as bad as I have heard, probably because I didn't get any fractures or nerve damage.
After Nathan drove me to Gosford hospital, they put it back in ("performed a reduction") while I was sucking on N20 and feeling pretty damn relaxed. I recall feeling like there was someone pulling on my shoulder, but it didn't really matter too much. I also remember being very happy when, with two loud cracking sounds, the arm finally slipped back into it's socket.
Three weeks later I was out of the sling and allowed to start using my arm, with a warning from Dad to avoid being palm front, elbow out - the "classic dislocation position". As it turned out, I don't have full movement or strength back yet, being unable to lift my elbow above shoulder height, or stick my arm out behind my back. The first time I absent-mindedly tried to tuck my shirt in at the back I almost fell over from the sudden flash of pain.
It's been pretty frustrating not able to do the stuff I love - cuddling is awkward and fighting, even left-handed, didn't really work. Once "in the moment" I would forget and move my right arm in a way it doesn't like, and it certainly isn't ready to hold a shield.
I did fight in the war with my crossbow, and had a lot of fun, but it really isn't the same :P
I had an ultrasound the other day and it confirmed that there is no tendon or muscle damage. Dad thinks I might have an injury on the cartilage and bone at the back of the shoulder joint which is causing my issues, so I'm starting physiotherapy on Saturday morning.