Friday, February 7, 2025
56.7 F
Roseville

Injured shoulder changes lifestyle

Becky Felton reads this column in the Ord Quiz, of Ord, Nebraska. In 2001, her experience with a disability began when she injured a shoulder after tripping over her dog. Though the soft-tissue injury seemed to fully heal after four months, her doctor nonetheless proceeded with corrective surgery. The relatively simple operation didn’t go as expected, and would negatively affect her for life.

‘I graduated from nursing school in 1995,’ said 52-year-old Felton in a telephone interview. ‘I had driven every day 140 miles round-trip to attend nursing school because I wanted to be a nurse that badly. Then I was a registered nurse for seven years, and was even ‘nurse of the year’ one year. Immediately after the operation (in 2002) I realized I couldn’t be a nurse anymore because I couldn’t move my arm at all.’

After the operation she learned she suddenly had permanent nerve damage in her left arm along with considerable shoulder pain that exists even today. As for the nerve damage, she says doctors can ‘stick needles on the outside of the arm up to the shoulder’ and she can barely feel a thing. Like many people would have, she was asking the question, Why me?

Felton traveled the U.S. searching for a doctor to fix her shoulder and resurrect her beloved nursing career. At one clinic, which Felton considered the nation’s best, doctors said they could do nothing other than offer pain pills and physical therapy. ‘It was a long car ride home from there,’ she said. ‘I cried the whole way. I went out there thinking they could fix it.’

Besides being a nurse, she can’t water ski or play golf with her husband anymore. Her left shoulder dislocates regularly, and many nights to control pain she sleeps in a reclining chair. She depends on her husband to comb her hair, tie her shoes, and put on her clothes.

In order to keep her nursing license, which she greatly values, she took on a part-time position as a certified parish nurse for her Catholic church. In that position, she now prays with parishioners, reviews medical tests, does informal counseling, and prepares people for surgery. Though nothing like her former occupation, being a volunteer nurse has been fairly satisfying.

She added, ‘I get through it all because of strong family relationships, friends, and faith.’



Brighter Side

Trending

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier this weekend

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

Lowest Gas Prices in Roseville, Rocklin, & Lincoln

Roseville, Calif. - Gas prices continue to push higher above the $4 per gallon mark at many locations around South Placer County. Roseville consistently remains the low price leader while Rocklin and Lincoln residents consistently pay higher energy costs across the board.

Beryozka – European Market in Rocklin

Beryozka European Market in Rocklin, Calif.

El Burrito Taqueria in Roseville

El Burrito Taqueria in Roseville. Our goal is to provide a fantastic experience for our guests. We use the best ingredients to create all of our authentic Mexican dishes.

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy

As we age, we approach the "pausal" years. For women, it's known as Menopause. For men, it's known as Andropause. During these transitional times in life, it's as if the sex glands go into retirement and there can be a lot of changes,

Topics

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier this weekend

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

Lowest Gas Prices in Roseville, Rocklin, & Lincoln

Roseville, Calif. - Gas prices continue to push higher above the $4 per gallon mark at many locations around South Placer County. Roseville consistently remains the low price leader while Rocklin and Lincoln residents consistently pay higher energy costs across the board.

Beryozka – European Market in Rocklin

Beryozka European Market in Rocklin, Calif.

El Burrito Taqueria in Roseville

El Burrito Taqueria in Roseville. Our goal is to provide a fantastic experience for our guests. We use the best ingredients to create all of our authentic Mexican dishes.

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy

As we age, we approach the "pausal" years. For women, it's known as Menopause. For men, it's known as Andropause. During these transitional times in life, it's as if the sex glands go into retirement and there can be a lot of changes,

Placer Conservation Authority takes step toward securing 4,245 acres of land easement acquisitions north of Lincoln

Auburn, Calif. - Approximately 4,245 acres of prime farmland, natural open space and environmental resources north of Lincoln is a step closer to being secured in perpetuity as part of the Placer County Conservation Program.

Boot Juice and Blü Egyptian in Auburn at Foothills Fillmore Feb 22

Auburn, Calif.- Keep Smilin' Promotions is bringing the much sought after Boot Juice to the Foothill Fillmore. The co-billed event also includes Blü Egyptian which has been described as "somewhere where Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, Joe Satriani & Buckethead are all infused in a Talking Heads state of mind."

Rocklin Unified and Rocklin Teachers Professional Association reach tentative agreement

Rocklin, Calif. - The Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) and the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Chapter #773, are pleased to announce a tentative agreement for the 2024-25 academic year.

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Making a Splash in Roseville at Steve Wallen Swim School

Roseville, Calif. - Steve Wallen Swim School in Roseville teaches swim lessons and water safety for infants, kids, and adults of all skill levels.

Roseville Sheet Metal serving community’s heating and air needs for over 70 years

Roseville, Calif. - At Roseville Sheet Metal, we’re proud of our years of service to the Roseville area and look forward to helping you with your air conditioning and heating needs.

NorCal Solar and Gutter Cleaning in Roseville: Keeping Your Home Safe and Efficient

Roseville, Calif. - NorCal Solar and Gutter Cleaning, founded in 2019 by Brian Rykhlyuk shortly after graduating from Roseville High School, has quickly become a trusted name in the community for gutter cleaning and solar panel maintenance services.