I can see my finger now!

Okay, I bet everyone is saying, "not her stupid finger again!" I wish I could say this would be the final "chapter" on it, but the case is not closed. The bandage/splint is off, stitches are out but I go back on May 1st for him to look at it again. It is still sore and swollen and he said I could be justified staying out of work for a few more days, but I'm going tomorrow. I have extra help for my first day back.
Dr. Wisch has been chosen as one of the best surgeons in Connecticut, so I feel pretty good about him. He says my finger has so much arthritis in it that I only have 30% usage. He's surprised that I don't have more pain. He said he can do surgery to fuse the bones. I had read on the Internet about that and I told him that I thought I would lose some usage. He says that his patients have gotten back 100%. Now that sure sounds tempting. So, I believe I will be having more surgery in the future. After that, maybe we'll persue the wrists one day. I didn't know that they had surgery to help with some arthritis. I'm glad there is help.
I am typing with 7 fingers and 2 thumbs. I am learning to use the keyboard without that one finger.
Well, hopefully that's the last you'll hear about my finger for a while.
My cat, Joshua, is on my lap as I type. He has been so affectionate and happy to have me home. He's going to be sad to see me go back to work. Me too.

Not lifting a finger

Well, had my cyst removed on my left index finger on Wed. I guess all went well. It is all bandaged up and I have a sling to keep it elevated and out of harms way. Had a rude awakening in recovery. I thought I could go back to work in a couple of days--not! Have to see the doctor on the 31st and get clearance. He also said there is a chance because of the arthritis that the bones will still have to be fused. I am not happy about that at all.

The anesthesia was interesting in that I was in and out of being aware of the people around me. I could hear the doctor and others. They seemed to be talking non-stop about anything but the surgery. It sounds like they came to an agreement that they want to go on a medical mission's trip. That's nice.

The pain killer that they gave me had a list of possible side effects--I got them all. So, I decided to stop taking it and put up with the pain. I'm using Tylenol. It's not bad--better than the side effects of the other.

I'm learning how to type with one hand--slow going. Eating is not so hard. I can get the food to the mouth if someone cuts it up. I just have to plan ahead if I am home alone--can't use the can opener or open jars. Don't worry I won't starve.

The worst part of this will be the work that won't be done while I am away. I don't look forward to going back to a mess. Well, can't do anything about that now. Just have to take it easy at home. I won't be lifting a finger.

It's a boy!

Did that get your attention? It's a boy cyst (because it's blue). I went to the doctor today and the nodule on my finger that turned blue is some kind of cyst caused by the arthritis. Of the three options, the best is to have it surgically removed. So, next Wednesday I will have the surgery in Torrington. I will be knocked out (the surgery is one hour) and will have to have a couple of days off of work (I am so sad about that--ha! ha!). It is on my left hand and I am left handed. I told George he was going to have to feed me and he just laughed--where's the love?

There's a couple of follow up visits and he can also see other arthritis surgery in my future too (my wrists and maybe the finger on my other hand), oh joy. Well, I should be grateful that they can do things like this. My only regret is that my regular physician thought I needed the MRI and the specialist said x rays would have been enough. I have to pay the deductible for the MRI ($350)--not happy about that.

Next week will be interesting. I don't think I can stay away from the computer for three days, so I will be typing with my right hand only. That will be slow going. I just don't think I can stay away for three days--then again, typing with my weaker hand only may get pretty frustrating. Well, if you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know why.