It's beginning to sink in.

dreamdaisy

On 20 November I'm having both hands done to sort out the carpal tunnel which has been making life more and more uncomfortable. Over the past few days I've started taking note of what I do as a matter of routine - and trying to get my head round the idea that I won't be able to do any of it for at least ten days (if not two weeks). Yikes. :shock:

To ensure that my skin is as whole as possible on my hands I'm coming off the arthritis meds after today. This means I will grind to a halt but as I won't be allowed to use my crutches or rollator after the op that won't really matter. I will not be taking the meds after the op either to facilitate a more rapid healing of the two scars. Mr Ortho Surgeon said there was no need to stop the meth etc but rheumatology say there is. I prefer rheumatology's opinion over that of someone who only does bones.

I will not be allowed to get my hands wet so no showering or hair washing for yours truly. Mr DD will be washing me (and my bonce) but how we're going to sort that out I'm not sure. We will find a way, however, because needs will must. To help on the hair front I will have a very short cut. My inner skinhead will be given free reign. As for other, more delicate matters . . . . . :oops: . . . . . . . I've purchased wet flushable tissues and a box of doctory gloves just for him.

I will not be able to go up and down the stairs as I won't be able to hold the rail so I shall be sleeping in the dining room (we have ground floor facilities) and that's fine because I've done it before and I like it. He will rig up a telly for me and suddenly crappy TV will become the focus of my life as pen / book / Kindle / newspaper holding will be out of the question. Jigsaws? Forget it. Conmputer? Nope. Mobile? Nuh-uh. Gordon Bennett. Feeding myself? I dunno if I will be able but if not I am sure feeding me will provide Mr DD with hours of endless amusement at my expense. On such things is a marriage based. I have a bell to hand which I shall ring fruitlessly as he will decamp to the top floor to work (despite taking two weeks off to 'look after me' I suspect that is where he will be most of the time). (And I can't say I blame him.)

After the bandages are removed and all is pronounced well I shall be banned from heavy lifting for another two weeks ( and driving too). I need to find out if 'heavy lifting' encompasses saucepans, kettles etc as well as shifting bags of cement or gravel. :roll: Ye gods.

It had better be bl**dy worth it. Mr Ortho Surgeon and me discussed doing the two hands separately but decided in the interests of his time (and budget) just to bite the bullet and do both. I am going to be as helpless as a new-born babe. I've faced some challenges in my time but this is, I think, the biggest to date. :? DD

stickywicket

OK last things first. Heavy lifting definitely encompasses saucepans etc as my old GP informed me in no uncertain terms when first assessing me for what was then Disabled Housewives Allowance. I kept saying 'I can' and he kept saying 'Thou shalt not'.

As for the meth, my surgeon used to make me come off it for several weeks but later decided 1-2 was enough before and one after. Your situation is different so do whatever seems right for you.

I shall pass quickly over the 'hygiene' issues, with the fervent hope, on your behalf, that Mr DD doesn't. It will add a whole new dimension to your married life and, once you have use of your hands again, you can write the 'Bog Blog'.

Joking apart, no doubt about it, this will be tough. The op will be nothing like as serious as a double THR or double TKR but the recovery will be infinitely trickier and the temptation to cheat would probably be my downfall. I trust you are made of sterner stuff than I because this will be an utter pain of several varieties but so worth persevering with.

Right, so the secret Big Sister CCTV cams will be installed when you're out and, although you will be unable to communicate with us, we shall all avidly monitor your progress and watch for any signs of cheating.

Seriously, you'll be fine. And the lovely Mr DD will be fine. And we'll all be cheering you on.

fowls48

Ohh DD


i wish you well , You can purchase a dry shampoo you spray it in your hair .I purchase mine from lydl only £1.40 it called batiste , will be thinking of you on the 20th .

Fowls xxxx.

dachshund

Hello DD
i wondered when the op was good luck i will be thinking about you.
take care
joan xx

kentishlady

Hello DD. You really are having a tough time aren't you? I admire you for having both arms done at the same time as think it would be much easier to cope with one hand available to at least be able to do some things, but I suppose the 'plus' is that you get it all over with in one go. Shall be thinking of you and wishing you well again as soon as possible. Beryl.

dreamdaisy

I'm sure all will be OK, it seems more daunting than it probably will turn out to be (she says, gamely). There must be ways round things, it will just be a matter of discovering them. Hey-ho. No matter, it will soon be over and hand life will (hopefully) be un-tingled and un-numbed which will be lovely. It's time for a cuppa and an apple doughnut. I need calorific comfort. DD

knuckleduster

Hello DD.

I had one wrist done two months after my son was born 29 years ago (gosh that makes me feel old). If my memory serves me correctly, I don't remember the recovery being too much of a problem. My hubby just had one week off work and once the stitches were out then it was back to normal for me. One funny thing did happen though - We had gone over to see mum and I made tea in the big family pot and when I went to pour the tea out I couldn't lift the teapot up and no matter how hard I tried to lift it I simply couldn't . I hadn't realised how weak my wrist had got. I suppose I was lucky I hadn't dropped my son on his head .

You will be fine, just put your feet up, invite the neighbours in for a chat and Mr DD can serve tea and biscuits.

Janet x

Susiesoo

Some of the problem is, I think, we have too much time in which to think about these things, don't we? I'm sure it won't be easy, but as you say, probably won't be as bad as you expect :? Let's hope not anyway. Thank goodness for Mr DD! A friend had one hand done and her mum had to help bath her etc Not for too long though, so fingers crossed for you (if only we could).

Will be thinking of you at the time. Good luck,

Susie

valval

we will be great team you no hands and me no hair at least steve wont have to wash it wish could help in some way but know you are very strong person and will get through it all ((())) the worse will be not knowing how you are doing be good do not cheat get better will be worth it val

mig

DD you are one of the most determined women I know if anyone can do it you can.Mr DD will be agreat help to you.Mig

villier

Hi DD, just keep thinking you will be rid of the stinking neurological pain, and only have to contend with arthritic pain(bad enough), not funny when you have a double whammy going on, I can sympathise as I know what you go through, they thought at first it was carpel tunnel I had as well, but mine also= progressed to other parts of my body.........you know we will all be there for you all the way, wishing you a speedy recovery(and no cheating lol) .......tc..........Marie xx

Nicchick

Wishing you well DD!

Mr DD will do an admirable job, I'm sure! I always square things with OH by saying that we would each do whatever was necessary to get by...time will tell!

Daytime telly had best be on it's best behaviour....

Nx

dreamdaisy

I have no doubt that he and me will struggle through it - luckily we both have a GSOH and can see the funny side of all situations. Well, so far we have!

I will be sensible and not be silly in trying to do things because I think I can, mainly because the words 'damned' and 'stupid' spring to mind. Mr Ortho. Surge. will be (I hope!) spending some quality time in employing his expertise in sorting me out so the very least I can do in return is do what he tells me so I don't undo his good work. As for updates I will hopefully find a pigeon but if not, you can all live without me for a while (although vice versa won't be easy).

Anyhoo, valval's news puts my footling worries into perspective. Simples. DD

barbara12

OMG DD....Im afraid if it was me it would have to be one hand at a time....but I can see that you and Mr DD will have a giggle and thats always good...just a point will you be able to type xx

dreamdaisy

I thought about the one hand at a time thing but that will just be a nuisance over a longer period of time. I am fairly ampidextrous but I suspect I would push things too fast too quickly if only one paw is out of action. He told me that things will get worse before they get better but ain't that true of life itself?

I won't be able to drive, wash and dress myself, cook, make a cuppa, type, hold a book (or 'phone) and iron for at least ten days (if not the fortnight) and then I will only be able to resume some of those activities very, very gently. I have been given some excellent tips re the meds, clothes, using my forearms and cuppa-making etc by a very practical friend but I know the time will pass because it always does. DD

PS My mum has 'helped' by telling me about a concert pianist who had both hands done and within a month was back playing the piano. Whoop-tee-doo. She didn't have PsA. :roll:

valval

dreamdaisy wrote:

I thought about the one hand at a time thing but that will just be a nuisance over a longer period of time. I am fairly ampidextrous but I suspect I would push things too fast too quickly if only one paw is out of action. He told me that things will get worse before they get better but ain't that true of life itself?

I won't be able to drive, wash and dress myself, cook, make a cuppa, type, hold a book (or 'phone) and iron for at least ten days (if not the fortnight) and then I will only be able to resume some of those activities very, very gently. I have been given some excellent tips re the meds, clothes, using my forearms and cuppa-making etc by a very practical friend but I know the time will pass because it always does. DD

PS My mum has 'helped' by telling me about a concert pianist who had both hands done and within a month was back playing the piano. Whoop-tee-doo. She didn't have PsA. :roll:

you have to love mums they so good lol it will take as long as it does one day at a time you will be missed but get a pa to let us know how you are doing val

dreamdaisy

Right, I've got my calm head on today, the panicky thoughts have been banished and I know that flapping around like a headless (and soon-to-be-wingless ) chicken doesn't help anyone, least of all me. What will be will be and he and me will muddle through. DD

stickywicket

So, Zen and the Art of Carpal Tunnel Maintenance? Good. I like it. The DDs are in charge. All will be well.

hileena111

Hi DD
You'll be fine.....I'm not making light of this but knowing you....you'll cope. Like I said to you about MrDD....In sickness and in health !!!!!
Get a dry shampoo....I've tried others but Batiste is the best I've found.
I used it when I couldnt bend forward when I had my THR {in between times....not instead of shampoo }
What about a hairdresser coming to you now and again? Mine came to the house although she isnt a mobile hairdresser. Makes you feel much better if you have your hair done.
As for everything else......not much help ...sorry
I'll be thinking about you....you know that.
Love
Hileena

villier

Good on ya girl PMA and you sure have plenty of that, I'm sure there will be a few wee trials and tribulations along the way but between you and Mr DD you will get there in the end, you know we are all here rooting for you, hopefully something can be worked out to let us know how you are doing..........................Marie xx

frogmella

Good luck DD.

I have to say that I would use this as an excuse to NEVER iron again as for me it is the worst chore!

There is loads of rubbish on the TV to keep you going. I have discovered repeats of Catchphrase on Challenge recently and have to keep saying what I see!

I hope you recover swiftly and only have to have a 10 day absence from the boards.

I'll be thinking of you on the 20th, and the recovery period too. Ah, just worked out that you should be able to start your advent calendar on the 1st December if you only need 10 days to start using your hands again.

Best of luck to you

Helen xx

valval

record some stuff you do like to watch and get some dvds will be thinking of you even if not in to message just know i will be there with trisher at my side (minus brolly) i will be the one tickleing your toes so you want to scratch lol good luck you will cope you are one strong lady val

frogmorton

Hi Dreamdaisy

on the subject of stuff to watch on TV......

are there any series that you never got round to watching but always wanted to? Like me I didn't see Downton Abbey....if I were to be incapatitated for a while I would get that to watch :?

Love

Toni xx