As many of you already know, I have had a cast on my dominant left hand for six weeks. Before that it was a large bulky splint for two weeks following surgery. I did this to myself. I have arthritis in both thumbs, along with my hips, knees, etc. . . . I had the right thumb repaired four years ago.
Let me repeat - I did this to myself. I chose to have the surgery to end the pain, so that I can continue to do the things I like to do. Like write, garden, needlework, sew, crochet, even sleep. Prior to the surgery, I had pain most days and many nights. That will be over soon.
All of this only gives you background on why I am blogging about my thumb. I’m really not. I’m writing today about my lack of independence for the last eight weeks. I can’t drive. I can’t button or zip my pants (thank heaven for elastic waists). I can’t feed myself if the food requires the used of a knife. I can’t wash dishes or cook or make the bed. I can’t - I can’t - I can’t. The list is endless.
What have I learned from this experience? I like my independence. I like doing for myself. I like having both hands. I have learned what it is to be handicapped even in such a small way. I have learned to rely on others. I have learned to have patience - a hard lesson for me. I learned to sit and do nothing to relieve the pain after surgery.
Will I remember these lessons? Probably only some of them. Tomorrow the cast comes off, and physical therapy begins. I look forward to that pain. I look forward to typing with two hands. I look forward to spring. I look forward to using both hands even to do the chores I hate. I look forward to wearing jeans.
I look forward to thanking God for creating doctors that can provide me with this alternative to living the rest of my life in pain. I will thank God for giving me back the ability to live as I want to live. As a historian, I know that our forefathers and mothers did not have this option. They had to adjust to the pain - to live with it. I think this made them stronger. It also made some of them figure out ways to end pain and cure disease. Praise be! Tomorrow is Independence Day!
