View Full Version : Update on Wrists & Hands: A Vent
The saga never ends with me: I hurt my right wrist again when I went back to Michigan in early October to help my elderly mom get ready to move. I spent a week with her going through her drawers, and closets and kitchen and donating stuff to various entities around Ann Arbor. I did a stupid thing and decided I would be able to lift an old particle board rolling TV cart (the kind from Walmart) into her trunk and knew right away that I did something to my right wrist (the one that had the ulna-shortening osteotomy back in October 2019). I slapped a wrist brace on it and came back to New Mexico and went on with things.
It has been sore but I thought it was on the way to healing until I received a rare jewelry commission for two sterling bangle bracelets, ones that require a lot of pounding with various hammers. By the time I was finished with that part of the process I couldn't even lift the hammer any more. I managed to finish the job over several weeks (thank goodness there wasn't a deadline on them).
Also, while I was in Michigan I started noticing a lump in the palm of the right hand under the ring finger that started growing; now I have another lump under the base of my middle finger, and a few new lumps in the left palm. I went to Google and right away wondered if I had the start of Duputreyne's Disease, which is a thickening of the skin under the palms, which in severe cases can cause your fingers to contract and bend in towards the palm. So I went in to see my hand surgeon and she confirmed the Duputreyne's diagnosis (I'm in the very early stages of it, and the progression is different for everyone) but the immediate concern is that I possibly tore some cartilage between my wrist and hand. So, another MRI for the right wrist and since I am already scheduled for surgery on December 15th to remove the titanium plate, she can also go in a fix the tear.
So, my hands are going to be out of commission for awhile, AGAIN....I haven't been playing much guitar lately; between knitting and making the sterling bangles and just general daily tasks, my hands and wrists hurt, all the time. Last night I really, really wanted to play my guitar and managed about 30 minutes before I made myself put it away; today I am paying for it dearly. But I can type, albeit slowly with lots of mistakes, at least.
I am trying to practice acceptance of the reality that my hands are just very beat up and will probably continue to cause me difficulty and that more and more I will have to modify my life going forward. It may mean retiring from silversmithing sooner than I would have liked. Right now I have enough stock already made because of various galleries I was in closed.
happystuff
11-13-20, 2:57pm
(((SiouzQ))) Sending prayers your way.
Well, that stinks. I hope you can find a way to continue your art.
rosarugosa
11-13-20, 4:16pm
I'm sorry for what you are going through. I second what Beckyliz said. You are so very talented and it's a shame you are having so many issues with your hands and wrists.
early morning
11-13-20, 4:24pm
I'm so so sorry to hear that, SiouzQ. What a total bummer. I know nothing about silversmithing (or much else lol) but I'm wondering if in future you could take on an apprentice - a local art student, etc? who would be willing to help out with some of the roughing out of your design work, in trade for said hands on experience, saving your strength for design/detail work? PLEASE feel free to ignore any/all, I know you were not asking for suggestions... regardless, you have my best wishes for your recovery from your upcoming surgery and I hope the Duputreyne's holds off for a long time!
Could you do the designs for silversmiths sort of like an architect for a house but sure hope that you can continue your life with some joy not limited by pain.
Teacher Terry
11-13-20, 5:12pm
I am so sorry. Hugs.
Could you turn, for the time being, to some art form that's easier on your fingers like painting or collage? Even digital art might be satisfying and provide inspiration while you heal. Being physically limited is frustrating; it really colors your daily life.
I'm sorry you are in such neverending pain. Can you use voice recognition instead of typing?
SteveinMN
11-14-20, 6:01pm
Ugh. 2020, amirite?
Seriously, it's sad to think of those skilled hands being stopped by the effort of daily life. I'm so sorry it has been one thing after another, SQ. I hope you can find some outlets for your art that are fulfilling.
I have hand arthritis and have a lot of cramping when I play my instruments. I am trying two salves--one is Herbal Lodge pain relief Minagin and the other is Cedar Ridge Oh My Aching Hands with emu oil. They do seem to help a little--and I am still trying to play through the pain a bit. Maybe try those?
pinkytoe
11-16-20, 12:41pm
I have found that just using the computer mouse for more than an hour a day causes my right hand to cramp up and hurt. It is scary when your hands don't work.
SteveinMN
11-16-20, 12:45pm
I have found that just using the computer mouse for more than an hour a day causes my right hand to cramp up and hurt.
I learned to mouse left-handed for that very reason. Took some of the load off my right hand and also guaranteed no one at work would use my computer! :~)
I learned to mouse left-handed for that very reason. Took some of the load off my right hand and also guaranteed no one at work would use my computer! :~)
I use a trackball; not sure if it makes any difference, as I've used it for 20 years or so.
rosarugosa
11-16-20, 2:21pm
Steve: That is so funny! I am left-handed and I do everything left-handed except mouse. When I learned to use a computer at work they were all set up with the mice on the right side, and I didn't realize I could change it; I just adapted to living in a righty's world as I always have. When I did realize it, I decided it was good to have one activity that shifted some wear and tear to my right hand and I continue to mouse with my right hand to this day. I use a Logitech mouse with a rollerball on the side.
I second the suggestion for voice to text instead of typing. I’ve never used it on a computer, just my iPhone. Might take a bit to get used to, but it’s definitely something to try.
SteveinMN
11-17-20, 2:43pm
I second the suggestion for voice to text instead of typing. I’ve never used it on a computer, just my iPhone. Might take a bit to get used to, but it’s definitely something to try.
I'll third it -- but puh-leeze proofread before clicking send! So many weird messages because Siri/Google/Cortana/whoever couldn't figure out just what was said...
SiouzQ.....Sorry I haven't kept up with things on the forum. Have you ever had a rheumatological workup?
iris lilies
11-22-20, 4:33pm
I'll third it -- but puh-leeze proofread before clicking send! So many weird messages because Siri/Google/Cortana/whoever couldn't figure out just what was said...
You talking to me, buddy?
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha I am so so so guilty.
Note that all of the above was dictated.
SteveinMN
11-23-20, 11:33am
You talking to me, buddy?
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha I am so so so guilty.
It actually was a general comment. I see it here and lots of other places.
I've seen the hash that Alexa (and Google and Siri) sometimes make understanding vocal commands. No proofreading there; only do-overs.
No, a very general comment. :)
iris lilies
11-23-20, 11:41am
It actually was a general comment. I see it here and lots of other places.
I've seen the hash that Alexa (and Google and Siri) sometimes make understanding vocal commands. No proofreading there; only do-overs.
No, a very general comment. :)
What is confounding to me is that my dictation program changes words more than once sometimes three times depending on context I guess. So I will run my eyeballs over the text it created, and it’s fine, and I move on and later I find that it changed that text that I had already proofread. This all happens very quickly.
One of the more amusing changes is in a recent series of email conversations I’ve had with my cousin. He and I are emailing about oriental rugs. He likes Caucasian rugs. My dictation program translated that as C. O. C. K. rugs. Being the easily -amused-by-smut people that we are, we now refer to them that way as his C.O.C.K. rugs.
SteveinMN
11-23-20, 11:50am
He likes Caucasian rugs. My dictation program translated that as C. O. C. K. rugs. Being the easily -amused-by-smut people that we are, we now refer to them that way as his C.O.C.K. rugs.
There we go! :) Imagine what an interesting conversation you would have had with a rug dealer if you dictated a text asking if he had any C. O. C. K. rugs!
I've learned to proof read all my dictation after having almost posted something rather crude on my facebook. I dictated that "I was out to the garden checking the peppers." But It actually wrote "I was out f.....ing the peppers. " Yikes!
Teacher Terry
11-23-20, 1:56pm
Too funny ��!
One of the most memorable faux pas of my workplace involved a brochure that was printed in great quantity and distributed before being caught. The title had the phrase "public affairs" in it but read "pubic affairs".
iris lilies
11-23-20, 5:09pm
One of the most memorable faux pas of my workplace involved a brochure that was printed in great quantity and distributed before being caught. The title had the phrase "public affairs" in it but read "pubic affairs".
Working for a pubic library yes I saw that a lot
rosarugosa
11-23-20, 7:19pm
I've learned to proof read all my dictation after having almost posted something rather crude on my facebook. I dictated that "I was out to the garden checking the peppers." But It actually wrote "I was out f.....ing the peppers. " Yikes!
Wow Cathy, I know you really love your garden, but that takes it to a whole new level!
rosarugosa
11-23-20, 7:23pm
Working for a pubic library yes I saw that a lot
Did you do that on purpose? loll
iris lilies
11-24-20, 12:05am
Did you do that on purpose? loll
Yes I did!
Wow Cathy, I know you really love your garden, but that takes it to a whole new level!
:laff: :laff:
iris lilies
11-24-20, 9:13pm
:laff: :laff:
What a smutty bunch here, ha ha
i had my wrist surgery (#4 in the 2 yr. scheme of things) yesterday (excuse my lack of capitolization and punctuation; i'm doing the hunt n peck method of typing with my left hand) and everything went well, as far as i know. currently hopped up on some painkillers so all is good for now.
Teacher Terry
12-16-20, 1:46pm
Wishing you a fast recovery!
happystuff
12-16-20, 1:48pm
Glad the surgery is over and hope you heal quickly!
A smooth recovery would make a wonderful Christmas present!
A smooth recovery would make a wonderful Christmas present!
Perfect post and I would add that I hope that you are generally feeling much better. Thanks for the update.
SteveinMN
12-16-20, 4:37pm
Wishing you a speedy recovery, SQ!
rosarugosa
12-16-20, 7:34pm
Hope you do well - thanks for the update!
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