Why did I choose to have surgery? When I found out that I could have full range of motion in my finger again without the pain in my palm and the popping of my knuckle, I was ready. I will still have challenges with arthritis, that's not going away. The work of survival will only increase, not decrease with time, and I want to be able to do it as best I can for as long as I can.
Here is some information on trigger finger, if you are not familiar with it. This site has some great visual examples.
After the steroid shot, and before the surgery, the ganglion cyst in my right wrist start growing fairly quickly and had become sore, affecting the bottom joint in my thumb as well. Yesterday when we talked to the doctor before surgery we asked him what he thought about it. His suggestion was to remove it now so I would only have one recovery time. So we did.
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| This oven mitt works great for doing chores. |
Because we chose to remove the cyst along with fixing the trigger finger, I am in a splint for a couple of weeks. The doctor did this to support the wrist muscles while the cyst site heals, otherwise I would just have a soft bandage across the palm of my hand and have free use of the hand. I'm limited to carrying one to two pounds in my right hand, but it's amazing how quickly you adjust to doing things differently.
I can type, well sorta. My right hand makes more mistakes, especially my pinky. The articles may be a little shorter for a while, so I thought I would let you know why.
Folks, if there is anything you need to take care of, medically, financially, stocking up or buying items for future projects, I would recommend you do it now if you are able. One look at the news tells you that there is more than Christmas coming over the horizon. Unfortunately, it has already come to California, Paris and many other parts of the world. We can't emphasize enough, avoid crowds, even if it is the holiday season and you have things to do, find another way to get them done. Be extremely vigilant, and unfortunately, trust only a very select few. The time of fear and chaos is fast approaching, don't let it find you off guard.
Until next time - Fern
Keeping you in my prayers for a speedy and full recovery Fern. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Calidore. At 4 days post surgery the pain is significantly less and I am really ready to get this splint off, but it will be another week before that happens. We're doing well.
DeleteFern
I actually made a cinnamon and honey drink and it was potent, but I had noticed late in th ees day that my ganglion cyst was actually going down. I'd had it for months up until like 3 days ago. So I made the drink again. It's also really good for your health in general.
DeleteWishing you a speedy recovery, Fern. You are spot on with your advice to take care of whatever needs to be done now. Each day there is something else that tells us the downhill slide is picking up speed. Now is not the time to dawdle!
ReplyDeleteVery good advice, Vicki. No time for dawdling, the wolf is crashing down the door.
DeleteFern
Fern,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of your medical issues , we are praying for a full & speedy healing . I use a mix of cinnamon and honey to keep arthritis at bay in my hands , it works for me , daughter and a couple of friends as well .
How critical it is to get any medical/dental issues tended to right away , it may not be feasible to do so in the future .My prescription coverage premium increased 30% this year , I don't see it getting any better in the times to come .
You are correct to warn about keeping on guard , avoid crowded situations and be careful who you trust .
Drink upstream from the herd .
Bluesman
Bluesman, we put cinnamon and honey in our kefir everyday, but may not consume as much as you do. Keep getting things ready, and good advice about the herd.
DeleteFern
bluesman,
ReplyDeletedo you rub cinnamon/honey on the joint or do you ingest it?
thanks.
Deborah,
DeleteI mix 1 tablespoon of cinnamon into 1 cup of honey and mix well . We spread it on toast , oatmeal or just eat a teaspoon full , 3-4 times per week . It took about 7-10 days for me to notice a difference in my hands . This may not work for everyone , but it is worth a try .
Bluesman
I had a right thumb trigger finger operated on a few years back so he did this and corporal tumble surgery on that wrist at the same time. Now the same finger as yours but on my left had is not working and palm hurting just like yours did. Here we go again. Last time I saw the hand doctor he said my left thumb would do it but instead the middle finger did! Is the left other thumb next? What fun. :-))) You are so right. You both lost weight in preparation and to gain health and stamina and I applaud you for that too. Yes prep comes in many ways. Since I live only 8 miles from this latest mass shooting this is all getting too real. You will be in my prayers too. There is just too much heartache in this world these days. These people woke up just this Wednesday morning , ate and got dressed for work and to go to a Christmas party there and............. Sarah
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind thoughts and sharing your experiences, Sarah. Most days we are still amazed at our weight loss, and it has made a big difference in our lives. Our bodies have been transformed during the past year and we are grateful. We work harder now than we ever have.
DeleteFern
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
ReplyDeleteBack in 1976/77 we were stationed in Sicily, husband in the Navy. We were told, during orientation, to avoid crowds, demonstrations, etc. for our safety, That has stuck with us.
Locally, many stores and banks are being robbed around noon and in the late afternoon. We have taken to shopping before 9am at the big box stores if it's possible.
We & our neighbors are vigilant in watching who uses our street - it's a 'no outlet' street. Since there are only 14 houses and 2 are snowbirds who haven't returned yet we all know the cars. Now that there is a house being built at the end everyone is very careful not to give any indication of what may be being delivered, thank goodness for Amazon's brown boxes! No sense in giving anyone notice of high end/quick to sell items like TVs.
And, yes, good health is mandatory. Do what is necessary to achieve that. Take care of problems now. Talk to your physician to ascertain what you need to do to improve your health such as more exercise, reducing blood pressure, losing weight. It's an entirely different world and we have to change with it if we are going to survive.
Hello, Bellen. It always pays to be vigilant. Who would have thought that a Christmas party in California, during the daytime, before noon, on a weekday, would have been a death trap. But it was and it is. The rules are changing. Fat, lazy and slothful just don't cut it anymore. People have the ability, they need to use that ability. This easy life that we've experienced for decades now is going to haunt our very survival. The enemy isn't fat and lazy, and they are filled with hatred. Where does that leave us? Thank you for your words of wisdom. Time is short, but we still have time. Prepare now. Right now.
DeleteFrank
How relieved you will be when your hand is healed up and better than ever! I look forward to each and every one of your posts. Happy healing!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Karin, I really do look forward to having my hand function better. Take care.
DeleteFern
I agree with you that there is more in store on the horizon, and what saddens me is that so many people are ignorant to it all despite the warning signs. I have had relatives that roll their eyes and still claim "It will never happen here".
ReplyDeletePrayers and well wishes for a quick and speedy recovery. Get well soon!
Hello, Hobo. Yes, it will happen here, because it is happening here. Let's take a short look at history. The Japanese government's involvement in WWII did not start with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. That is not when the Pacific war started. It started months and years before the first bomb was dropped at Pearl Harbor.
DeleteThe war we're involved in right now has been festering for years, and it's not going away because we put economic pressure on some country, or we tell some government that if they don't stop we will punish them. This war has begun, and it has started. For those that roll their eyes, well, there is nothing you can do about those type. Do the best you can and prepare for the effects of war, because it is happening here. It's happening over most of Europe, and most of us don't have a clue. Take a serious look at the Middle East and Africa. Most of those countries are suffering the effects of war today. All that is left is the western world. This is all by design. It's not going to be pretty. I feel sorry for lots of people, my friends, neighbors and relatives. I just don't know what to say. Prepare while the sun is still shining, because it is going to get dark. Prepare your mind to do the unthinkable.
Frank
Fern, and Frank,
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be able to have full range movement in your finger/hand. Sending, hugs, prayers, and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Back in TX for a bit, will be back in full focus soon.
My hand is already much improved, Sandy, and I am chomping at the bit to get this splint off, but it will be another 6 days. Safe travels and enjoy your time.
DeleteFern
Hi Fern, I used to go to bed at night and in the morning both hands were locked into fists. I had to drag them over the edge of the night stand to get them open. Then I read or heard that Tumeric would help. I started taking to fairly large capsules of tumeric a day, one morning one evening, and now I have full range of motion in both hands and no more "night seizures" of them.
ReplyDeleteEverett, I have to say I'm grateful my hands are not as bad as yours were. We tried turmeric last year on the advice of Frank's back surgeon, but I can't tolerate it. It gave me terrible heartburn. I even have some growing in a pot in the greenhouse! I take ginger, fish oil, glucosamine and cider vinegar. As you well know, arthritis is what it is, and we just learn to live with it. Thank you for sharing.
DeleteFern
Hi Fern, wishing you speedy recovery. This is something you may want to try. I have arthritis in both wrists and knees. It has become so painful at times that i can't hold a glass to drink as well as walk up a few steps on the stairs. I came across a remedy that truly works. For me, it is my miracle drink. 16 oz water, 20 by leaves,40 whole cloves, and 3 cinnamon sticks. Put all in crock pot. I slow cook for 9 hrs. You can cook on the stove at a slow simmer for about 2 hrs. but you have to stand guard. Let cool down a bit. Strain out the ingredients. Maybe bitter to some people so add honey to taste. It really works. Without this natural remedy I would not be able to function. Have been doing this natural drink for almost 3 years now. Thanks to "the canned quilter" over at hickory holler farm.
ReplyDeleteSue G I need to make this for my husband. We found honeysuckle tea helps, and especially plain gelatin. The slow cooker is a good idea and an easy way to keep something around.
Deletep.s. i forgot the most important ingredient!!!! a handful of fresh ginger..peel the skin off..
DeleteThe crock pot has made a huge difference...I make this once a week. 2 of us are drinking it. You can drink this hot or cold your preference.
DeleteThank you for sharing your remedy, Sue, via the Canned Quilter. I put honey and cinnamon in our daily kefir and take ginger. I don't use cloves or bay leaves, though. Interesting combination.
DeleteFern
Oh my, our kind of life is hard enough with good health. What a blessing you could have the surgery with the prospect of full use of your hand once again. Just don't push it and overdo!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...you would have to say don't push and overdo, Leigh. Have you been spying on us? (-: Yes, I tend to do exactly that, but hopefully not too much this time. The trigger finger is already much better and I can extend my finger almost straight. Not bending my wrist with the splint is rather annoying, but I'll manage. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteFern
Feel better soon! ~Sassafras
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sassafras, it is already much better.
DeleteFern