It’s been a minute. I’m still digesting the events of last month but I can say with all honesty that my social media stress is MUCH LESS now that we’ve passed January 20th. I’m thankful and grateful for the tiny bits of peace and holding onto them with both hands.
Speaking of hands…
This one’s mine. My left hand. The one that hurt 24/7. As soon as elective medical appointments were allowed last year I made an appointment with the amazing Dr. K at South Shore Orthopedics. I had never been to an orthopedist before and Dr. K had come highly recommended by my PCP so I didn’t hesitate to make an appointment when it was finally an option. The photos aren’t new… they are from June 2020 when my custom splint was shiny and new. It’s battered and a little grungy eight months later, but it’s still one of the best thing that’s happened to my left hand since the pain started over a year ago.
Diagnosis was De Quervain’s tenosynovitis which is tendonitis that is caused by overuse of the wrist next to the thumb. Thankfully it’s in my non-dominant hand. I got a lovely cortisol shot and wore this brace for two or three months and my hand returned to its pre-De Quervain’s condition. 2020 Being what it was, the pain returned as I was preparing to say goodbye to a year that sucked more than almost any other. I think we can all agree on that one. I popped my brace back on for 90% of the 24 hours every single day for about six or seven weeks. Nothing. Just more pain. It’s not fun.
I called for an appointment with Dr. K last week and was lucky enough to get a spot yesterday. I arrived early and sat in my car for 20 minutes before going in because… COVID. I made my way to the end of the line (there’s ALWAYS a line) to check-in. After 15 minutes and a $50 copay I was in the exam room chatting with the doctor. Quick wrist/hand/finger exam and I got offered two options:
- get another cortisol shot that probably wouldn’t fix the problem long term given my first round outcome
- surgery to fix both the De Quervain’s AND the carpal tunnel that’s making my fingers numb
I took option #2. I’m looking forward to getting this taken care of once and for all… hopefully. Seven more sleeps! I cannot wait to get this done. I’m anxious about the mandatory COVID test I need to get and the recovery more than I am the procedure itself. I’m on my computer for work pretty much 80% of the time so I’m going to be hen-pecking this poor keyboard for a while. It will be interesting to say the least! I see lots of typos in my future LOL
It will be nice to be pain and splint-free this summer! No funky tan lines this year!
Until it’s warm enough to plant myself on the sand, I’m just going to relive last summer and prep for the upcoming season!
bits and bobs 