My right shoulder is certainly the gift that keeps on giving. After seeking a second opinion regarding my continued lack of range of movement in my right arm I was told that I likely have a torn rotator cuff and will need an ultrasound scan to see the extent of the damage and whether or not it can be repaired.

So, I am now facing the possibility of two further surgeries, one to hopefully repair the rotaor cuff and a further surgery to replace the shoulder IF the rotator cuff can be repaired.

Now for the dilemma, I am a full-time unpaid carer for both of my parents and receive no support from the local authority or any other services so my recovery will be difficult. If the rotator cuff can be repaired I am looking at 6 weeks in a sling to immobile the shoulder and then a further 6-12 months recovery time and physio. Then if I have the shoulder replaced it will likely be a further long recovery period. So, the dilemma is do I even bother having the surgery in the first place as I know my recovery will be made more difficult by having to continue to provide care with no support or do I have the surgery and hope for the best whilst preparing for the worst.

Social care in the UK has been decimated and it doesn’t look like things are going to improve any time soon, so I know that getting any kind of support during my recovery will be next to impossible.