I was just diagnosed a few weeks ago and I've already had a clot removed. Been pain free for over a week now because of it and I'm finally feeling good. I'm having my rib removed in about two weeks. From what I've read on here, some people took months to recover enough just to lift small weights and whatnot. My surgeon seems to think that I should be able to use my arm as soon as the drain is removed and she told me she wants me to use it as much I can after surgery and not to let pain stop me because that will slow the healing. Obviously she isn't telling me to go out and lift stuff and I'm sure I'll have a weight restriction, but she basically doesn't want the pain to immobilize my arm. But she also hasn't given me much to go on because I think she's minimizing the effects of this surgery and how bad the pain really could be.

So here is where the question lies, I'm having my surgery on Dec 10th as soon as my finals are over, and then I return to school January 5th. Is there a possibility that I could be able to use my arm to write by this time?

Also where did your recovery lie at about a month post-op?