I really appreciate all your good wishes and suggestions -- I swear I'd be issuing individual thank-you's if I could type a little faster one-handed!

I'm doing a little better with the drugs -- I'm now taking pretty much just extra-strength Tylenol and getting by with that; walking and showering are getting easier as the road rash heals.

I saw a second orthopod today who recommended surgery to prevent shortening of the shoulder. I was initially kind of gung ho but now find myself leaning against it: three other doctors (ER, orthopod #1, and a family friend) have said based on X-rays it's not necessary. I'm torn between thinking it's generally good to avoid the additional trauma of surgery if you can and thinking I should do everything possible to be solid in the long-term. Conflicting opinions suck! I'm in no position to weigh one MD against another...

Next up this evening is a CT to check out my bonus fractured scapula, which (not at all reassuringly) nobody but the family friend looking at the X-ray long-distance even noticed. Most of all I'm just trying to figure out how the hell I'll lie down in the machine...pffft.

Many, many thanks again; you are wonderful.