Recuperating with Crochet Therapy
Yesterday I picked up a crochet hook for the first time in five days. FIVE DAYS! 'Why is that?' you ask? Well, I had surgery on my left hand last Friday for severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Ugh. I still have some extensive bruising and I still have some mild swelling. This morning my wrist is so very tender that it hurts to even lay it on the desk as I type, so I've been typing (mostly) with my right hand.
One thing I hadn't realized until just the last few days was exactly how severe my carpal tunnel had gotten. For years (and yes, I mean years) I'd had issues with numbness and tingling in my fingers whenever I would crochet, type, even holding a glass of water with my left hand would cause an aching pain in my wrist. Normally, I'd stop what I was doing and shake my hand until the pain and numbness went away. However, the past 8 or 10 months I hadn't been able to feel anything with the first three digits of my left hand (thumb, index and middle fingers). The only sensations I was able to distinguish were pressure and pain. I'm happy to report that yesterday while I was crocheting I actually teared up at the sensation of Red Heart yarn being pulled between my finger and thumb. I could FEEL it!
I'm going to continue using my crochet as physical therapy to help reduce the swelling and stiffness associated with surgery. I can honestly say that this is one of the smartest things I've ever done and I look forward to getting my right hand done in the near future.
I'm adding the following images just so you can see the bruising and maybe have some idea of how it might feel if it were you. I apologize if they're upsetting to you, but God gave us a wonderful thing when we were created, the ability to choose. So view them if you choose.
As always,
Peace and blessings,
~~Karen~~
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| First two things I made post-surgery. NFL color schemes are purely coincidental. Those colors just happened to be closest to me. |
One thing I hadn't realized until just the last few days was exactly how severe my carpal tunnel had gotten. For years (and yes, I mean years) I'd had issues with numbness and tingling in my fingers whenever I would crochet, type, even holding a glass of water with my left hand would cause an aching pain in my wrist. Normally, I'd stop what I was doing and shake my hand until the pain and numbness went away. However, the past 8 or 10 months I hadn't been able to feel anything with the first three digits of my left hand (thumb, index and middle fingers). The only sensations I was able to distinguish were pressure and pain. I'm happy to report that yesterday while I was crocheting I actually teared up at the sensation of Red Heart yarn being pulled between my finger and thumb. I could FEEL it!
I'm going to continue using my crochet as physical therapy to help reduce the swelling and stiffness associated with surgery. I can honestly say that this is one of the smartest things I've ever done and I look forward to getting my right hand done in the near future.
I'm adding the following images just so you can see the bruising and maybe have some idea of how it might feel if it were you. I apologize if they're upsetting to you, but God gave us a wonderful thing when we were created, the ability to choose. So view them if you choose.
As always,
Peace and blessings,
~~Karen~~
The "mummy" hand. I had to be immobilized for two days after surgery.
After two days, I was instructed to remove the bulky bandage
and use a band-aid over the stitches. I was also told to start using
my hand as much as I was comfortable using it.
Here's a better view of the bruising after a shower
to get rid of the Betadine and blood.
It covers my palm and goes down my forearm ...
The bruising also goes around my thumb and across
the knuckles over the back of my hand.
