Last week was three months since my shoulder surgery. I started 15 physical therapy sessions after a month, and also went back to work. I saw the doctor again two months after surgery and he felt I didn’t need any more physical therapy.

In the last month my mobility and general pain level have improved. But I have some areas which still hurt quite a bit. I have exercise bands I’m using at home, doing exercises the therapist gave me. But some of them hurt and I’m leaning toward asking the doctor for more physical therapy, both to help with the sore places and to make sure I’m doing the most helpful exercises.

A week after surgery my sister came for a two-week visit.  She did all the kitchen things I couldn’t do, and generally helped me with daily life. We went up the Teleférico and discovered we’re not very good at taking selfies. We visited the botanical gardens, and took a day trip to Otavalo (a large native outdoor market). But mostly we sat and talked; it was the longest time we’d spent together since we were kids, and much more pleasant than back then (when we fought all the time).

High above the city. (It’s hard to take a selfie when you can’t see the screen in the bright sunlight.)

At the botanical gardens