My patience is being tried.
By what, you ask? Carpal tunnel. I developed carpal tunnel in my right wrist in mid-March, and my left wrist followed suit about a month later. The past few months have involved scaling back all hand-related activities (while still working full-time), many visits to the doctor, taking anti-inflammatories, going to physical therapy, stretching, and getting acupuncture. I’ve been wearing splints all day and when I go to bed at night (which makes for some restless nights for both me and poor hubby), and have been muddling through all this the best I can. (It’s challenging to work with two splints on – it’s kind of like trying to do office work with oven mitts on!)
My patience is being tried because I’m so used to doing. To working unfettered. I’m used to being able to type out blog posts, instead of dictating them into a phone app that turns my spoken words into text. And while I truly strive to appreciate my health, abilities and mobility each and every day, this minor injury has forced me to give up some of what I love for a time. I’m generally a very patient person, but this carpal tunnel thing has gotten to me. I’ve been stressed about potential financial effects, have been a bit grumpy at times, and have really missed “life as usual”.
That’s where the perspective comes in.
Though this trouble with my wrists is insanely annoying to me because of how it’s “cramped my style”, I know I’m really lucky. I’m lucky because I’m able to get treatment, and my employer has accommodated my current limitations and made ergonomic changes to my work station. I’m lucky because this injury isn’t excruciatingly painful – just uncomfortable, and I’m hoping it can be eliminated completely. I’m lucky because I still have great health overall, have been able to adapt in most respects, and have a supportive and helpful hubby to help out at home. He reminds me to take it easy, though I wish I didn’t have to.
Must stay relaxed. Must stay focused on wellness. Must not pull my hair out in frustration!
So, in case anyone was wondering why I haven’t posted any new recipes in a while, and why I’m publishing fewer posts overall, it’s because I’ve been really busy working on both my patience and perspective. I thank you for your patience, dear readers. I welcome any healing vibes you might like to send my way…
Warm regards,
Melody
*The image above – which features my left hand covered in ink – was created 5 or 6 years ago. Several artist friends of mine made hand-related pieces of art to put in a special book for our dear friend who was battling cancer, and I participated as well. I chose to incorporate words that I knew both my friend and I hold dear. Love, laughter, friendship, family, art. All these years later, my dear friend still fights on, trying to keep the cancer at bay. Yet another reminder for me to embrace patience, appreciate my many blessings, and keep a firm grasp on perspective…
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14 Comments
Sending healing thoughts your way, post haste.
Pam,
Thank you so much – I really appreciate it.
Melody
Keep up the physical therapy! It saved me from surgery some years ago when I had trouble with carpal tunnel issues. I hope you are checking out things like Dragon Dictation or similar. Others have said this saves them lots of time/energy.
I hope you are feeling better soon!
Diane,
Thank you for your well wishes. Yes, I’m using the Dragon Dictation app – what a lifesaver!
Melody
Dr. Melody — I’ve been right there where you are — both wrists! And yes, while not painful, it is agonizing. I did have surgery on the right hand because I also had the same thing at my elbow!! Well it fixed it, but I don’t really recommend the surgery. I now have a tingle in my elbow! On the bright side, resting your hands as much as you can DOES help, keep that in mind. I used the time to learn to do some things in a simpler, different way. I made my stamped and colored and frou-frou-ed cards MUCH simpler. Even learned how to hold things in my teeth when I needed another hand! You will be in my thoughts as you go through this, just take care of our dear Melody!
Jani,
Thank you for sharing your experiences, and for your kind words. They’re most appreciated!
Melody
Although I didn’t have CT on my hands I did have to have surgery on my right hand due to a tendon problem. I know how it feels not being able to do the things you took for granted. I am sending you lots of positive vibes and good thoughts. I hope we can get together soon. Hugs!
Alma,
Thanks so much, and yes – let’s get together. Dinner?
Melody
Sending you love, hugs and puppy kisses. <3 <3 <3
Amanda,
Thank you so much! I’m assuming the puppy kisses are from Meja and Audrey?
Melody
I hope the discomfort goes away, Mel. Always have to remind myself to slow down and take breaks, too. Swift healing to you.
Jenny,
Thank you for your well wishes! Yes, taking breaks, stretching and having a good desk/keyboard setup is SO important…
Melody
Dear Melody,
Thank you for this inspirational post!
I hope you will completly recover even if it takes time.
We busy women have a hard time dealing with what we would call inactivity and others would call healing patience.
Although not dealing with health problems i am going through rehab a different kind of illness. The limitations however are similar as the splints are in mind and soul rather than on a body part.
I am also striving to focus on the things so beautifully drawn on your hand and have downloaded your picture of it for inspiration. i hope you don’t mind. it struck me immediately as a symbolic picture that i could associate with. What a wonderful gift to your friend!
hugs of encouragement
Karin
Karin,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I’m so glad you found the post inspirational, and appreciate your kindness and encouragement! I wish you all the best with YOUR healing.
Melody