Monday, November 2, 2009

Another obstacle to overcome


This is what has been slowing me down for the last 6 weeks. I haven't told anyone about it until now. I guess I was kinda hoping that it would just go away.
What is it? It is yet to be determined, I still have a nerve conduction test to take and a possible MRI of my neck.
Lot's of numbness, pins and needles, burning, aching, inability to grasp and shooting pain. The thing that really bites the big one is that it is both of my hands at the same time. There was a point where it was too painful to brush my teeth and hair or turn a door knob.

Since I got the splints I have seen some improvement though.
My fingers are normally long and slender but they have been swollen for so long that I have forgotten what my knuckles look like. My fingers are big fat sausages now. I wake up several times a night in pain. And of course even typing on the computer is difficult.
I don't know if this has anything to do with the neck injury I received a few months back as there seems to be some connection there. What I really think though is that it is a combination of factors. I have been doing heavy construction for weeks on end and I think my poor hands have just given up. I have been in worse pain but I am not sure I have been much more frustrated than this. I am trying to keep my spirits up, and of course doing what I can to stay busy and productive, but life has been really challenging lately.
One of the worst things is that my house is the messiest it has ever been...and I HATE that.
Taking away the hands of an artist is like taking away the voice of a singer, but I am sure there is a good lesson for me to learn in this somewhere.

I have so many things to be thankful for that I haven't completely fallen into the pity pit...LOL!

Without the splints, tatting is out of the question but with the splints I can tat for short periods of time and that isn't so bad.

I have started sleeping with the splints on and have seen great improvement, but if I take them off for any period of time the whole pain cycle starts over again.

Ah well, if you guys could keep me in your thoughts and prayers I would be most grateful!

40 comments:

Jane S. said...

Hang in there...periodically I have a similar affliction and the worse part is not being able to do day-to-day things. Sleeping with my splints on gives great relief though.

Here's hoping that your hands will stop grieving you, and that you'll soon be back to your usual vibrant self.

Cheers,
Jane

Tatfully Yours said...

Due try to keep your spirits high. I know it can be hard some days. I clean houses all week and I can tell you that not cleaning your own house will not make the world end!! I know this from experience! LOL Take care.

Angela said...

I am so sorry. I know what you mean about using your hands. I have had severe issues over the years. I had surgery for sympathetic reflex dystrophy. And now I have lupus. Stay encouraged. You are having tests to figure things out and nothing is impossible with God. Not one thang! I love all your work.

Crazy Mom! said...

I'm so sorry that you're having such misery. I hope the splints help a bunch. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Ridgewoman said...

Oh Babe! I shall remember you in my prayers, immediately. Pain is so tiring. And when you can't do something you want to do ~ all you can see is what you think you need to do! The housework won't go away; it will wait! Go with the flow, kiddo. hugs,
Gram Bev (Sis?)

Jane Eborall said...

What a bummer. Please try to keep smiling. Can't imagine anything worse happening to you. I'll keep my fingers crossed that this will all soon go away.

Krystle said...

Oh I am so sorry! I know how frustrating that can be. I have a reocurring cyst in my left wrist that causes numbness, pain and restricts my range of motion. it's my guitar wrist and I can't play for extended periods until I get surgery. Anyway, I'll pray for you. You are already on the right track looking for the lesson in all of this. So keep your head up.....

-Krystle
(aka little sis. I'm an eldest child, so I never had a big sister. I'm claiming you as mine, ok?:-)

victats@gmail.com said...

What a year you are having! here's my 2 cents... The neck injury makes you more suseptible to this kind of problem. You did a LOT OF WORK!! Ice, Ice and more Ice on your neck, arms and where ever it hurts. Don't wear the splints too tight, they are meant to stop big movements but your wrist also needs to move, so keep wiggle space. Please take care of yourself...you only get one body per lifetime

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

I wondered what was pulling you away from your tatting and pottery. I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers. It sure has been a tough year and a half for you. Hang in there, and know that you have many friends in tatland praying for your speedy recovery.

Singtatter said...

Keep your spirit up! We are all praying for you. Take more rest and go easy.

Carol Schockling Lawecki said...

Healing thoughts and prayers are coming your way. Keep your spirits up and hopefully you'll get some answers soon. (((HUGS)))

IsDihara said...

Just keep repeating this mantra, "Good things are coming to me, good things are coming to me."

Your post makes me want to drop everything, jump on a plane and come to your aid. I would even clean your house so you could rest guilt-free. (And I hate cleaning house, so that is saying something!)

The above advice all sounds very wise. I would only add my mother's cure all -- chicken soup and lots of rest. (Even if it is purely "for the soul.")

Feel better soon and know that you are in my (and many others') prayers.

mica said...

Oh no! I hope your hands get better soon. It's nice to hear that the splints at least make you more comfortable while wearing them.

Elizabeth said...

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear you are hurting. You will definitely be in my prayers.

Kathy Niklewicz said...

Sherry,

My gooodness did I get chills when I saw this photo! It got my husband's attention, too! Reminded me of my two broken wrists (age 58) from my skating accident in 2002.

I was shocked to see this because I thought you were over all the physical problems from the past year.

I am definitely sympathizing with the pain, burning, aching and lack of ability to do everyday things, and I know how discouraging it is. I occasionally need to wear splints like these, when minor arthritis flares up. However, it may well be your neck problems from the accident that are causing all this misery for you.


We're all VERY concerned and are here for emotional support. Please take it easy and REST - although easier said than done, I know. Do keep us apprised of the test results. We'll keep you in our prayers.

Zarina said...

Last weekend my shoulders and upper arm was hurting after doing yoga again after 6 months absent. I can understand your pain and I hope you can find out what is wrong and be treated for it. My advise I think you should stop tatting - I had to stop because my fingers felt cramp tatting even for a short while.

Kathy Raker said...

My goodness, so sorry to read about your pain. You are in my thoughts and prayers for healing and the Doctors wisdom. As hard as it is to overlook the housework, that is what you need to do at this time. Keep the spirits up.

Vinnie said...

I'm so sorry to hear about what you are going through.
You will definitely be in our prayers and we wish you a very speedy recovery.
Sometimes when you are working too hard you forget that you need rest, maybe this is God's way of telling you to 'take it easy my dear' , take rest , have faith and you'll come around this horrible time.
Lots of love and good wishes,
Vinnie

Fox said...

Oh, Sherry! What a time you are having! Hang in there, girl, and it will get better.
I know, because I had tendinitis this year and I thought it would never stop hurting!
surainaThen one day you realize you are not in any discomfort! Amazing. The body is resilient and if you look after it, it will heal.... Rest up and forget the housework!
Eat chocolate and read good tatting books!
xxooxx Fox : )

Anonymous said...

I will keep you my thoughts and prayers. Hang in There.

kyoungmi said...

Oh, My Sherry. I know, How are you feeling. I agree that It is important to artist. Sherry. I am so sorry. I miss you. love you. Please, try to keep smiling.!

Umintsuru said...

Oh dear. I hope it gets better soon. I can't imagine sleeping with splints. Thinking of you.
Wendy

Unknown said...

Here's a big fat hug for you!

(((HUGS)))!!!

I hope you get feeling better! That is so awful to not be able to use your hands.

I can really understand the whole not being able to clean thing. That really bites, too! I hate not having a clean house and it's so frustrating with health issues stop you from being able to keep it up!

I'll say a little prayer for you!

Grizzly Mountain Arts said...

Dave and I will keep you in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Jo :)

sewmuchfun4 said...

I'm so sorry that you have been dealing with this pain for so long! I cannot IMAGINE the frustration you feel! I'll be praying for you to stay strong and for your doctors to unravel the cause for your pain.

Please take care of yourself and let go of your everyday expectations of yourself - at a time like this you have to kick it into survival mode and don't sweat the little things.

:) Ann

misfitneedleworker said...

oy vey! what a time you're going through! it has been said enough, but you are in my thoughts and i really hope you feel better!

i got a little carpel tunnel once- it wasn't bad though- from sleeping with my wrists and hands folded up tight under my chin at night! it's quite silly, really! my son was about a year old and it was so annoying because i couldn't open baby food jars for the life of me!! heck, i could barely grasp them! anyways, looking back now, on my not-so-serious wrist pain, it's kind of funny, the baby food jar thing. but i really just was hoping to make you smile with my silly yet sympathetic story :)

you are an inspiration to us all! rest and get better!

Red said...

I only recently happened upon your blog (just learned to tat last December), and I'm sorry to hear your in pain!

Your symptoms actually sound exactly like the carpal tunnel my mother had. She had a quick out-patient surgery for it, and she's been better ever since. Hopefully whatever you are afflicted with won't be too difficult to cure (back/neck injuries can be very tricky).

I hope you're able to get better and back to tatting soon!

Anonymous said...

pray yes
Chiropractor yes
it is from your neck injury and now the stopage from the neck has gone to their lower most point - Get adjusted by a very good chiropractor it like finding a good MD.
Gonstead method of adjustment is good. been going for over 33 years.

Valerie said...

Hey Sherry, you are going to get well sooner than you think. Rest well. Will pray for you.

Loads of hugs.

Bonnie said...

I am sorry to hear this! I can only imagine how difficult this is for someone as active as you are. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Marty said...

Ah, Sherry. If it ain't one darn thing it's another. I've never been too certain about that old bromide "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" -- but it certainly seems to work in your case. I'm glad the splints give you some relief. I developed carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists and wore splints all the time for about three months then just wore them to sleep for over five years. Without them my hands went completely numb and swelled up something awful. I've had surgery on both wrists and they work now! I hope they can find something that works for you. I'm sending you all good vibes!

Tatskool said...

That's AWFUL, I am feeling the pain with you. have you tried acupuncture to relax your neck muscles. It was the only thing that worked for me.

Melanie aka picotsnkey said...

ah....ouch....

I too have gotten used to splinting. Now it's just at night. Sometimes I'll use them if I'm asking a lot of my arms and back (moving boxes or gardening). My cumulative injury took away my career as an organist, so it's been kinda lifechanging.

Take care of yourself. Gather around you a team that will help you. Probably tops is a medical team to include a physical therapist that can teach you what you need to know about this new you. Find folks who will listen and then gently teach you. Find ways to love the family and friends that accept this new you and are willing to help you!

My mother taught me: Approach everyone as though they are handicapped. For some, it will be that they are perfect and cannot recognize limitations.

Gently hugs to you!

Katie said...

Awwwwwwwwww! Those splints will help, it just takes time. I know it must be most frustrating, but you can still do a bit of tatting! I'm so glad you can keep your spirits up. I'm sending light & energy & good wishes your way, & prayer for a quick recovery.

Putting on the mom costume & saying, "Slow down, sweety!"

Imoshen said...

Oh my..I'm sorry you've been in so much pain. I'm shocked you still managed to make things, like the awesome hook pen I recieved on Halloween. ^_^ I hope they find an answer for you soon and that you recover quickly. My prayers are with you.

tattingpip said...

Oh my
Your problems really put mine into perspective. I can not imagine that much pain in your hands. I will send calm and healing prayers across the waters. Quinton Crisps said that after 2 years the dust doesn't get any bigger. Housework will still be there the chocolate and reading a good tatting book sounds like the best advice. Might try that myself.
"big hugs"
Pippa xxx

Tatteristic's 25 Motif Tatting Challenge said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your hands. I suffer from arthritis in my hands so I've experienced a little bit of the pain you must be going through. I pray the doctors will figure it out soon and have a wonderful treatment plan so that you can enjoy all the things you like again. Take care.

Maggie said...

Hi Sherry, I feel so sorry for you. May I share my experience with you? A few years ago I had pain in both wrists that also left me unable to open closet doors, turn on faucets, write, or let alone tat. The doctor that was doing the nerve conduction test suggested that I explore alternative medicine before surgery. So I took his advice and found a massage therapist that did trigger point massage and a good acupuncturist. It took a few months, but I not only got relief, I have had very few problems since. As a preventive measure, I will still sleep in splints if I have been overusing my hands gardening, writing, tatting, etc. I wish you a speedy recovery and will be sending lots of positive thoughts your way.

Warpology said...

I was in the same boat back in 1999 and 2000. Ended up getting my c spine fused in both those years at different levels. The pain went away completely after the surgery but unfortunately I am unable to work as a nurse any longer. Good part is that I can now tat, knit and do whatever with my hands!

Lynn said...

Hi, Here I go again wondering exactly where I am to post for the giveaway, if this is not right let me know where and will will gladly take the right steps to get there, Hope you are feeling better......Hugs and Hugs to you, take care Lynn Weasenforth