The Diary of a One-Armed (Temporarily) Man

So, thanks to rotator cuff repair surgery, I have spent the last 3 weeks in a sling (the Slingshot 2 to be exact).  The surgery was on my primary shoulder (right) so it's been quite the challenge learning how to do things with one hand, much less my *left* hand.  I have 3 weeks still to go in the sling so on a positive note, I'm beyond the 1/2 way point.  On a negative note, I still have as long to go as I've already endured.  Fortunately, the pain has been very bearable and I began physical therapy last week.  Only 6 months of that to go (yipes!) before I have full range of motion back and about a year before I'm back to full strength.  In the meantime, here's a list of things I've learned are particularly tough one-handed (especially if it's your secondary) thus far:

• washing your hair
• washing your face (both of these are typical two-handed tasks for me and though very doable one-handed, they're pretty awkward)
• washing the armpit of your secondary arm (this is among the toughest on the list)
• fastening your pants
• putting on a belt
• fastening a belt
• putting on socks
• tying your shoes
• putting on a shirt (this is tough because I can't lift the busted arm)
• tucking in a shirt (I have deemed this a near impossibility)
• brushing your teeth (again, very doable but very awkward with the off-hand)
• shaving (the right side of my face is significantly less closely shaved than the left now)
• putting anything into or taking anything out of the opposite side pants pocket
• carrying a laundry basket (much less up/down stairs)
• changing bed linens (fitted sheet in particular - pillow cases are also a bit tough)
• folding laundry (shirts especially)
• giving someone a proper hug
• shaking hands (this one comes up a lot at work with vendors)
• typing (the sacrifices I make to post)
• writing
• sweeping/mopping a floor
• unlocking the door to the house with anything in your hand
• carrying the recycling bin to the curb
• retrieving anything from your pocket while driving (a near impossibility while observing any sense of safety)
• scooping out ice cream
• push-ups/pull-ups (just kidding)

Today at therapy they added in the Norco Shoulder Pulley so hopefully that will start me back on my way to being able to use this thing a bit in a few weeks.  Guess we'll see.