Monday, October 14, 2013

What's a LONG finger?

According to my hand surgeon, Dr. Chan, it's the finger between the ring finger and the index finger. You know, the one commonly referred to as the "middle finger" or "third finger". There's a handy fact you can add to your medical knowledge!

For me, it's the finger that chose to grow an unsightly cyst on the knuckle near the fingernail. Then afore-mentioned cyst decided to grow to "witch-like" proportions, just in time for Halloween. Alan swears it would have made any costume I chose more authentic this year, but I chose to have Dr. Chan remove the extremely sore/ugly/growing larger by the day/constantly getting bumped even though hidden under multiple bandaids little thing last week.

Insert ugly picture here - I'm sparing you the BEFORE image.

Do you ever have that experience where you wish you had asked more medical questions in advance? Where the doc says "small procedure, minimal recovery, blah, blah, blah"...and afterwards you would describe it quite differently???

Fast forward to Alan and I leaving the minor surgery center last Wednesday and me looking like this! I'm propping up the right hand because my arm is still dead (anesthetized) from the shoulder to my un-tingly fingertips.


I was too traumatized to ask what might possibly be lurking under the unbelievably large splint...stitches, glue, a replacement finger...I'll have to wait 2 more weeks to find out.

Meanwhile, back at work after a fuzzy few painkiller-adled days (and a couple bouts of finger claustrophobia - not kidding), I'm rapidly discovering what I can/cannot do. Doc's official instructions forbid "grasping, lifting anything over 2 pounds". Really? Twould be a miracle to really grasp something with this extra appendage in the way!


I can type...slowly/...badly...weirdly trying to get ither finger s to do the work that long finger usually does. Case in poijnt,  this uncorrected text! Note to silly self...I must learn to appreciate hte LONG finger more in the future.

THINGS I CANNOT DO and must enlist help from kind husband
* wash my own hair - thankfully can still manage flat iron myself
* cook if it involves using knife - darn - more takeout
* laundry - you know how heavy those clothes are!
* open my car door easily - left hand is SO uncoordinated
* cut fabric with the rotary cutter (thanks for your help, Carmen)
* STITCH, STITCH, STITCH


The list goes on, but I won't bore you and my hand is crampy weird and requesting more Tylenol.

With apologies to all of you with SERIOUS medical issues...
If you have a funny "minor" surgery story to share, (or a spare tasty casserole to drop off), you are welcome to do it HERE!







19 comments:

  1. Gee... makes me glad I am LEFT handed :)

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  2. awhh... that looks painful!!... i hope you feel much better soon and are out and about doing and creating again!!... i wish you lived closer... i'd be more than happy to make and drop off a tasty casserole.. altho to be honest it would most likely be a baked ziti or lasagne...

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  3. My mother worked for a surgeon and he always said it is a minor procedure if I am doing it on you but if it is being done to me it is a major procedure :)

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  4. My PRK was fun. They told me I would see better instantly. LIES ALL LIES. My poor husband dragged me around for two weeks before I was allow to drive. Once the two weeks were up it took a couple more weeks before my vision started to become clear. You cannot see right after eye surgery and if they every tell you that you can call them out on it.

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  5. Desejo que se recupere logo!
    Bjs...
    RĂȘ Ascenso!!!

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  6. Oh my, that does look awkward! I had a dental procedure done a few years ago that involved stitches in my gums above my four front upper teeth. I never knew how much I smiled and laughed until those dang stitches were in place. It hurt to do either for two weeks. The up-side is that I decided I'm a very friendly, cheerful person! hahaha

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  7. OUCH. Hope it feels better soon. I could go along just fine without doing most of those things, but not stitching. No! Must stitch.

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  8. For a "minor procedure", they sure wrapped you up! Your post was funny and I'm glad to see you are looking at the humorous side of things. I had periodontal surgery several years ago and made it fine through it. My husband, however, passed out when he saw me afterwards. Funny story to this day.

    Sharon

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  9. My favorite doctor/medical word "uncomfortable." Layman's translation--hurt like h@*$#!

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  10. But a needle and thread is less than two pounds....I would be so frustrated if I couldn't stitch...however I do wish you a speedy recovery and don't be afraid to ask for help,

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  11. Ooooh, that does look awkward and painful. I wish I lived near you, too, just so I could help you a little. My wish for you is for a speedy recovery - best wishes to you.

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  12. Goodness, that is one wrapped up finger! And for TWO whole weeks....! I am having surgery on my right hand in two days, (trigger thumb) of course I am right handed, and the things that have crossed my mind that I will not be able to do. Like put a bra on...

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  13. buona guarigione,spero sia veloce...cinzia

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  14. If this is Doc's minor surgery then I am sure I don't wish to know what major surgery looks like.......yikes. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

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  15. Feel better soon! Just design more goodies for us in your head while you wait to use your hand! Tanya in Houston

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  16. I'm injured too! I suffered a very minor nip to my right thumb in breaking up a spat between two terriers and now I can't stitch! My thumb is really sore and the band-aid prevents any dextrous needle manouevres whatsoever. Gutted!

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  17. I sliced the tip off my long finger with a mandoline slicer and had to have hand surgery. You can see my bandaged hand photo here. I was talking to a guy about it, and called it my long finger. Good thing, because I noticed he only had three fingers, so it really isn't the middle one in all cases. Good luck. Speedy recovery.

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  18. Oh I am so sorry isn't it awful when you think something is going to be so simple turns into a problem that will go away but not fast enough take care and just let your wonderful ideas still roam around in your head so soon you can put them down into charts

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  19. Hope your recovery is coming along nicely and you will be able to do more when you get that huge bandage off. I do understand how your feel,,I actually had right shoulder surgery July 10th and stitching really helped get over that. It was the "fuzzy meds" that talked me into doing Holly and Hearts Mystery Sampler and I am so thankful they did♥

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