Turns out that I have two things going on in my shoulder: a grade 2 AC joint separation and an avulsion fracture of the greater tuberosity (not my x-ray in the link). In everyday english, that means that some of the ligaments in my AC joint tore and the bone is sticking up slightly (hence the aberration that I was noticing when looking at myself in the mirror) and there is also a fracture in the humerus on the rounded portion at the top (what actually constitutes the part we call "the shoulder", not the ball in the joint). Seems that my fall through the floor down in Galveston did more damage than I thought.
Fortunately, no surgery is required and the only treatment is pain medication (w00t, Darvocet!) and a sling to immobilize it as much as possible. I'm not sure how long I have to wear the sling but I do have a follow-up visit in three weeks, so I'll probably wear it as long as I still have shoulder pain until the next appointment. Basically, the only thing prohibiting my use of the shoulder is the pain that is caused when I move it, so as things become less painful I can get back to doin' my thangz. I have been able to play drums as long as I don't go too crazy and hopefully the sling will help take some of the pressure off so that the joint can heal and I can get back to my full drumming flexibility soon.
Also awesomely, I somehow had a $190 credit at the doctor's office (must've overpaid at some point) and so there was no co-pay for the visit and the Darvocet cost me a whopping $1.70 at Walgreen's. The upshot of the whole thing is that there's a reason for the pain that is more serious than I thought, but that the diagnosis sounds a lot more wicked than the actual injury is and it will just take some time to heal. I'm all good and as long as I can keep from doing something stupid and reinjuring it, all will be well in a few weeks.
And please, don't go slugging me in the left shoulder just to see "how the healing is coming along." Remember, my right shoulder is just fine and that's my dominant hand, so you may have a nice trip to the doctor yourself in the future should you decide to test my resolve. Just so's ya know...
Ugh, I'd wear the sling until your nest appointment, not when it stops hurting; and try to keep it as immobile as possible (meaning I'd consider a hiatus on the drumming for awhile). It sucks, yes, but may help prevent further damage.
I had 3 torn ligaments in my shoulders and back at once (along with whiplash) when I was a SR in High School. It prevented me from playing football and baseball. Though I didn't have to have surgery either, to this day, I still strain and pull those same 3 ligaments. It sucked.