Tag Archives: carpal tunnel

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…