Thursday, February 3, 2011

Fix It!

I just don't seem to be getting the idea that to 'fix' my hand is to take it easy, not do too much.  I strained a tendon in my arm on Monday - doing something I shouldn't have been doing - and am back to about square three or four.  I went so far as to sleep in my BIG brace last night and probably need to use it often this next week to rest the injury.  I feel that I am so far away from 'normal', I can't even imagine doing anything with clay.  I'm just hoping to be able to do some encaustics this week.  Clean the house - forget it! 
Though I am still thinking hard about having the second surgery (right hand) in April.  To that end, I am starting doing small things with my left hand, brush my teeth, operate the computer mouse, small things.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Testing the New Normal

I am supposed to be able to use my 'new' hand normally now so I tried cleaning the kitchen.  It was b.a.a.a.d.
And now my arm is BAD.  Seems like I pulled some tendons that were not use to being used.  How much is enough and how much is too much?  I sure don't know that yet. 
As of right now, normal is not normal.  "Must keep going slowly".  But I am frustrated, lots of sitting around and getting wider and more out of shape.  Guess I could to use a stationary bike and not use my hand.  Now there is a thought.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Less Wazzed

It has been one month since I had "Trapezium Arthroplasty" which in english means having my left thumb joint replaced.  I have three weeks to go before I can "resume normal activites and sports".  I guess that is when I can get back into clay.  It probably means that I can no longer blame my hand for not Cleaning, Fixing or Finishing anything!


I can finally see that the above is possible, being able to resume normal activities in a couple of weeks.  Before yesterday I was not sure...the incision was still so sore.  All those nerves coming back to life made it feel irritated all the time.

I am going to address that list of tasks in the sidebar.  I just need to remember not to do too much.  That has been the challenge all month.

And, then, I get to do it all again with my right hand.  I will wait until I can more effectively be a 'lefty' for the two months of recovery.