off the Blue Ridge Parkway, NC

Time for another Arm Update: The good news is that I was discharged from the orthopedist/wrist specialist’s care because I officially do not have carpal tunnel syndrome. The hopefully even better news is that I was referred to a doctor whose specialty I can’t pronounce but who deals with the non-surgical side of neck problems. He will, I believe, be able to pinpoint the nerve area in my neck that is causing the numbness in my finger, and that will give Mark, my physical therapist, additional information to use in his therapy.

Mark tells me that I have made “remarkable progress” in the last six weeks and I finally do feel that my arm has become part of my body again. There is definitely room for improvement, but I’m actually thinking of starting scrapbooking again. On a limited basis of course, and with changes in the angle of my arms.

In two weeks we head back to the east coast for Christmas and New Year’s, and I’m just hoping that the cold weather doesn’t do too much of a number on my neck. I’ve been kind of spoiled with the temperatures out here, I know. But, aside from the chill, I’m really looking forward to seeing family and friends again. Time goes by so quickly now, and being at a distance makes us appreciate each contact that much more.

11/27 – Sedona backyard

Even Sedona eventually gets cold in the winter. At least at night. We’ve been breaking up the ice in the birdbath so the birds can have their morning drink, and it seems that they really look forward to it. Beats ice skating at that time of day.

Cold and clouds slow me down, mainly because my neck and arm have to adjust. There’s definite improvement overall, but weather is a factor. *sigh*

Yesterday it was warmer, and we drove to the top of Oak Creek Canyon to do some holiday shopping at the Navajo outpost up there. The jewelry and carvings are stunning, and we bought a unique housewarming gift among other things.

I’m still learning the meaning of patience, as I work with my arm and wait for news on the book proposal. There have been some very nice rejections (ho ho) and positive feedback too, but nothing more definitive yet. Anyone remember the line from Robert Heinlein’s “Stranger in a Strange Land” — ‘”Waiting is fullness”?

So I continue to wait, and try to be full in the meantime.

Arm Update: I went for my nerve test yesterday to see if my carpal tunnel is compressing the nerve in my finger. The test consisted of hours (actually minutes; it just felt like hours) of electric shocks.

The neurologist gave me some interesting news — that the numbness and tingling in my forefinger is probably coming from my neck, and not my wrist. Here we go again. The good news is that my neck feels pretty good and I’m continuing to feel improvement from the physical therapy for my arm and hand, so hopefully there won’t need to be any surgical intervention. I’ll know more when I see my orthopedist again at the end of the month.

Patience. Patience. Patience.

This Saturday we will have been back here in Sedona for one month, and today was the first day that I actually worked outside on the laptop. I could tell at breakfast that it was going to be delicious out, and the cooler temperature and slight breeze have been wonderful. It’s still strange, however, to see certain trees drop their leaves while the rest stay evergreen.

The reason I enjoyed working outside was not just due to the weather. My arm is actually improving after only 2 sessions with Mark.

I had no idea that occupational therapy involved more than lifting soup cans. Seriously, I didn’t know what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t digging marbles and pennies out of a plastic bin filled with rice (fun, but I was too competitive with myself). And it wasn’t repeatedly dipping my arm into warm water, followed by squeezing a sponge in ice water (that was a killer).

But the “hard” work was accompanied by a broad range of gentle therapy, for a full hour, and I can now sit here and type this without my brace. Thank you, Mark, for giving me hope and relief and, I know it’s coming — lots of homework.

I have no doubt now that seeing this through will bring me back to where I want to be. So I’m publicly committing to doing whatever I’m supposed to do to get there.

Including stopping typing. Now.

I went to my first session with the hand therapist, and have decided to move into his office.

I truly didn’t know that I could experience this kind of relief. The Motrin finally kicked in this weekend and apparently I’m in just the right place to begin targeted treatments without a major pain flare-up. The wet heat packs, ultra-sound and gel massage were like a cosmic gift. And once the inflammation eases, I can begin exercises to get my grip strength back.

I’m psyched.

For those of you who have been kindly asking me how I’m doing…

I saw an orthopedist in Sedona today for a more definitive diagnosis. The good news is that no surprises showed up on the x-rays, and he affirmed that I have severe tendonitis with probable carpal tunnel involvement. He gave me a cortisone shot and a prescription for Motrin and more physical therapy, this time for my wrist.

I’m continuing my wholistic therapy treatments, and all in all, feel better about the possibility of the pain abating, and a return to “more normal” living.

As you can see from the picture, I’m still hurting. I don’t like focusing on my Arm like it’s a separate entity, but I went to my wholistic doctor this morning and treatment will likely continue to be a drawn-out process. The reason is that I have several different conditions operating at once — carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, neck involvement — and they all need attention. I’m certainly better than I was at the beginning of the summer but there is probably a ways to go yet.

Oh well. I will continue to be as patient as I can be, and focus on the beauty of where I am to keep me feeling positive. I am very lucky to be able to drive to doctor’s appts. with the towering red rocks in the background, etched against such a blue autumn sky.

Thank You.

Pain — it focuses my mind, but not on what I want it to focus on.

I want to write — freely, comfortably, truthfully — and instead I worry about the numbness in my fingertip and the pain in my wrist and forearm and shoulder. I’m so tired of this!

I hate to complain, but is stating the facts complaining? I must sound like a broken record to the people I talk to; they ask me how I am and I keep saying the same things. It’s a good day pain-wise or it’s a bad day pain-wise.

This recovery period is taking so much longer than I was prepared for. The physical therapy helps on some visits and not on others. The acupuncturist is on vacation this week. Blah blah blah.

What I really want to write about is the cool new book club that my neighbor and I started. We’re the only members!

And I will write about it, but now I have to rest my arm. If you’re reading this blog, please know that I appreciate it, and that I’m determined to work this carpal tunnel thing out. Patience is not always my strongest suit, but I’m committed to this. (And thank you Roy and Lauren for continuing to urge me to dig deep .

After 2 weeks of physical therapy, and one session of acupuncture, I’m starting to feel improvement in my neck, shoulder, arm and hand. I’m still experiencing tingling and numbness in my fingers, which makes it painful to type, but at least I’m moving in the right direction. For that, I’m grateful.

Found this quote: “When we are not sure, we are alive.” — Graham Greene

According to this definition, I’ve definitely been alive this summer. It’s been hard to plan, because I’m never sure exactly how I’m going to be feeling, but I’ve adapted well to moment-by-moment living. It doesn’t allow me to be as “productive” as I’d like to be, but I’ve certainly enjoyed things more.

I went for my physical therapy evaluation today and was told that I am probably suffering from a combination of spinal osteoarthritis (spondylosis) and carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is related to computer use, and the spondylosis is most likely a result of the whiplash I experienced in a minor car accident in 1979.

The good news is that I can look forward to relief and improvement through a month-long series of therapy sessions, along with modifications such as computer realignment and a better pillow. They can’t say much beyond that, but believe me, I’ll take it!