Ahhh gratitude for both limbs… it’s amazing how quickly we are humbled- whether by a misstep and then a broken foot or a misbehaving upper limb… heal well my friend and then on to the next grand healing as well!
Like you I took for granted my arms till I broke both at the same time in 2021. I can 100 percent relate to the hair! My husband rigged up a contraption that held my hair dryer in one place and I would circle around it lol. I had to have my husband put my bra on (he said I only know how to take it off)! I hope your mending goes smoothly:)
One has been enough… I can’t imagine losing the use of both arms at the same time! Your hairdryer trick sounds genius. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to dry my hair one-handed, but it worked. And I had the same thought about the bra. 😂 Thank you for your healing wishes!
So sorry to hear all about your elbows …. One at a time. It sounds painful and humbling and not fun. But looking on the bright side …. You’ll hopefully be good as new with no more pain 🤞🏻.
I’ve broken both wrists —- thank goodness not at the same time; but as far as hair washing, I treated myself to getting it washed at a salon down the road.
I say enjoy your time on the dock at Spofford Lake …. I fondly remember by times there.
Thank you, Christina! I do hope the surgery will help. As for living with one arm… if you know, you know. I didn’t realize you’d spent time at Spofford Lake! What’s your connection here?
My mom (who lived in Hinsdale) used to go there in the summer and my mom and dad were very good friends with Robert and Kitty Holmes who had a beautiful home on the lake. We used to visit during the summer- swim and canoe. One vivid memory I have from being there is Uncle Bob’s mom would walk me through her garden out back and show me the Doll’s eyes. His dad was Dr. Holmes - maybe your in-laws might remember them. I went there as a child in the 50s and early 60s.
What a small world! Your time in Spofford must have overlapped with my mother-in-law, who grew up here in the 50s and 60s. I’ll have to ask her about Dr. Holmes!
Girrl!!! Why are you bothering to wear a bra and shave your armpits? 😁 I say let them go for now. ☺️
Great description of what you’re going through. It’s good that you’ve had practice overcoming various interesting things in your life. This will be an interesting memory someday soon. I’m happy to know you are in a beautiful place for recovery. ❤️🩹
I hear you-have had 8 surgeries on my right hand, and have had to adapt like you. You described what it feels like and how you function through it very well. Hope all turns out well with continued healing and surgery #2.
Wow Debi, that’s a lot of surgeries! I can’t imagine going through this more than once on the same limb. I hope your hand is better now. It is good practice in accepting the things we cannot change!
Liz, I appreciated your share about how you're navigating this.
Awhile back I wrote about the experience of having trigger thumb on my dominant hand for a year and a half and my subsequent appreciation for all I regained in capabilities that you never think about in every day life, so I get it.
It's amazing though what we can do if we put our minds to it and get creative like your shared. And as long as you can still find some enjoyment in the interim, like you are, it helps.
I'd be very scared to partner up with your writing buddy :)
I found your essay about trigger thumb. I’m glad your persistence paid off! Last year when my elbows got bad I tried everything: OT, acupuncture, chiropractic, medication, and stopping the activities I enjoyed for many months to let it rest. Cortizone shots in both elbows finally worked, until they didn’t, and the pain came back so suddenly and acutely that I knew I was ready to try surgery. Hopefully it will help! The limitations are such a poignant reminder of what a miracle our bodies are when they work properly.
Sounds pretty rough! I have had tennis elbow for 2-3 years myself on and off...lots of exercises/ occupational therapy, heat, cortisone shots... but I didn't realize surgery could be an option. Thanks for sharing the reality of it. I hope your arm feels better soon!
I’m sorry you’ve been struggling too! Last year I tried OT, acupuncture, chiropractic, and lots of rest, but nothing worked. Finally I got cortisone shots in both elbows and got some relief for about four months, but the pain came raging back suddenly and worse than before. That’s when I finally relented to surgery. They say in most cases tennis elbow will resolve on its own, but I wasn’t willing to wait any longer. I’m hoping the surgeries will help!
I can certainly relate to your current experience! While kayaking off the coast of Big Sur (not recommended!), I made a perfect landing by timing the gigantic waves, but made the huge mistake of trying to pull my 500$ plastic sea kayak up on the rocks. It had about 20 gallons of water in it, so this proved to be an impossible task. About 10-20 seconds later, a wave broke in top of me, and I broke my right hand in several places.
After surgery, I had a cast on my right arm for about 6-8 weeks. So I fully understand your struggles. I bought Velcro stuff because I could not tie my shoes or zip up my coat, etc. I took baths instead of showers (which I prefer in the colder months). This was way back in 1996, 30 years ago. Seems like another lifetime. I was living in sunny, bright Santa Fe, so that helped. And I was living with my then DR girlfriend, which also helped.
I am astonished by how much we humans take for granted! When a friend complains about money, etc., I ask them, "Would you sell your eyes for $100 billion? Of course, the answer is always "NO!." "Then you are rich beyond belief." This usually helps.
Happy healing! Another gorgeous day on Peaks Island....2 in a row!
What an ordeal! I’m lucky to be out of my splint after just two weeks, though my right arm is so stiff I still can’t bend it enough to feed myself or wash my hair. I’ll be wearing a wrist splint for another month.
I love your perspective about what makes us rich, and I will surely remember that when both my arms work again!
I’m with you, Liz! I am 5 weeks out from spinal surgery and haven’t been able to use my left arm and I’m left handed. Just getting back to typing now for short periods of time. Can’t sit, bend, twist, lie down, be in one position, for long periods of time. Wow. Humility and gratitude, flexibility, and finding new amazing ways of being- jolting me out of old habits. These bodies that carry us really adapt in amazing ways- my feet and toes are becoming so adept!! Thanks for writing about this :)
That sounds brutal, Leslie. But it sounds like you are making the best of it! I’m surprised how many people have been through something like this and can relate. It certainly changes your perspective!
Ahhh gratitude for both limbs… it’s amazing how quickly we are humbled- whether by a misstep and then a broken foot or a misbehaving upper limb… heal well my friend and then on to the next grand healing as well!
Thank you, Deb! I’ve been lucky up until now, but I guess it’s my turn to be humbled. I appreciate your kind wishes!
Like you I took for granted my arms till I broke both at the same time in 2021. I can 100 percent relate to the hair! My husband rigged up a contraption that held my hair dryer in one place and I would circle around it lol. I had to have my husband put my bra on (he said I only know how to take it off)! I hope your mending goes smoothly:)
One has been enough… I can’t imagine losing the use of both arms at the same time! Your hairdryer trick sounds genius. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to dry my hair one-handed, but it worked. And I had the same thought about the bra. 😂 Thank you for your healing wishes!
So sorry to hear all about your elbows …. One at a time. It sounds painful and humbling and not fun. But looking on the bright side …. You’ll hopefully be good as new with no more pain 🤞🏻.
I’ve broken both wrists —- thank goodness not at the same time; but as far as hair washing, I treated myself to getting it washed at a salon down the road.
I say enjoy your time on the dock at Spofford Lake …. I fondly remember by times there.
Take care.
Thank you, Christina! I do hope the surgery will help. As for living with one arm… if you know, you know. I didn’t realize you’d spent time at Spofford Lake! What’s your connection here?
My mom (who lived in Hinsdale) used to go there in the summer and my mom and dad were very good friends with Robert and Kitty Holmes who had a beautiful home on the lake. We used to visit during the summer- swim and canoe. One vivid memory I have from being there is Uncle Bob’s mom would walk me through her garden out back and show me the Doll’s eyes. His dad was Dr. Holmes - maybe your in-laws might remember them. I went there as a child in the 50s and early 60s.
What a small world! Your time in Spofford must have overlapped with my mother-in-law, who grew up here in the 50s and 60s. I’ll have to ask her about Dr. Holmes!
Your descriptions were wonderful, human and warm. Wishing you fast healing!
Thank you so much, Shannon! ❤️
Girrl!!! Why are you bothering to wear a bra and shave your armpits? 😁 I say let them go for now. ☺️
Great description of what you’re going through. It’s good that you’ve had practice overcoming various interesting things in your life. This will be an interesting memory someday soon. I’m happy to know you are in a beautiful place for recovery. ❤️🩹
Take good care, AND let your husband pamper you.
Excellent questions, Sandy! I guess it’s out of habit, and being stubborn enough to prove I can figure it out. Your comment made me laugh out loud! 😂
I feel grateful to have people to help me and a nice place to rest and recuperate. I’ll take all the pampering I can get!
Speedy recovery, my friend 💙
Thank you, Gila! I’m lucky to have a free campsite I can enjoy without driving. 😄
That is always a bonus 😉
I hear you-have had 8 surgeries on my right hand, and have had to adapt like you. You described what it feels like and how you function through it very well. Hope all turns out well with continued healing and surgery #2.
Wow Debi, that’s a lot of surgeries! I can’t imagine going through this more than once on the same limb. I hope your hand is better now. It is good practice in accepting the things we cannot change!
Thanks
Liz, I appreciated your share about how you're navigating this.
Awhile back I wrote about the experience of having trigger thumb on my dominant hand for a year and a half and my subsequent appreciation for all I regained in capabilities that you never think about in every day life, so I get it.
It's amazing though what we can do if we put our minds to it and get creative like your shared. And as long as you can still find some enjoyment in the interim, like you are, it helps.
I'd be very scared to partner up with your writing buddy :)
I found your essay about trigger thumb. I’m glad your persistence paid off! Last year when my elbows got bad I tried everything: OT, acupuncture, chiropractic, medication, and stopping the activities I enjoyed for many months to let it rest. Cortizone shots in both elbows finally worked, until they didn’t, and the pain came back so suddenly and acutely that I knew I was ready to try surgery. Hopefully it will help! The limitations are such a poignant reminder of what a miracle our bodies are when they work properly.
Sounds pretty rough! I have had tennis elbow for 2-3 years myself on and off...lots of exercises/ occupational therapy, heat, cortisone shots... but I didn't realize surgery could be an option. Thanks for sharing the reality of it. I hope your arm feels better soon!
I’m sorry you’ve been struggling too! Last year I tried OT, acupuncture, chiropractic, and lots of rest, but nothing worked. Finally I got cortisone shots in both elbows and got some relief for about four months, but the pain came raging back suddenly and worse than before. That’s when I finally relented to surgery. They say in most cases tennis elbow will resolve on its own, but I wasn’t willing to wait any longer. I’m hoping the surgeries will help!
That sounds so hard! I hope surgery helps you long-term!
Thanks Serena! I hope yours feels better too.
I can certainly relate to your current experience! While kayaking off the coast of Big Sur (not recommended!), I made a perfect landing by timing the gigantic waves, but made the huge mistake of trying to pull my 500$ plastic sea kayak up on the rocks. It had about 20 gallons of water in it, so this proved to be an impossible task. About 10-20 seconds later, a wave broke in top of me, and I broke my right hand in several places.
After surgery, I had a cast on my right arm for about 6-8 weeks. So I fully understand your struggles. I bought Velcro stuff because I could not tie my shoes or zip up my coat, etc. I took baths instead of showers (which I prefer in the colder months). This was way back in 1996, 30 years ago. Seems like another lifetime. I was living in sunny, bright Santa Fe, so that helped. And I was living with my then DR girlfriend, which also helped.
I am astonished by how much we humans take for granted! When a friend complains about money, etc., I ask them, "Would you sell your eyes for $100 billion? Of course, the answer is always "NO!." "Then you are rich beyond belief." This usually helps.
Happy healing! Another gorgeous day on Peaks Island....2 in a row!
What an ordeal! I’m lucky to be out of my splint after just two weeks, though my right arm is so stiff I still can’t bend it enough to feed myself or wash my hair. I’ll be wearing a wrist splint for another month.
I love your perspective about what makes us rich, and I will surely remember that when both my arms work again!
Geez that sounds pretty rough… especially for an active woman.
I’m definitely missing out on some of my favorite activities this summer.
I’m with you, Liz! I am 5 weeks out from spinal surgery and haven’t been able to use my left arm and I’m left handed. Just getting back to typing now for short periods of time. Can’t sit, bend, twist, lie down, be in one position, for long periods of time. Wow. Humility and gratitude, flexibility, and finding new amazing ways of being- jolting me out of old habits. These bodies that carry us really adapt in amazing ways- my feet and toes are becoming so adept!! Thanks for writing about this :)
That sounds brutal, Leslie. But it sounds like you are making the best of it! I’m surprised how many people have been through something like this and can relate. It certainly changes your perspective!
How is your elbow doing? I too have tennis elbow 😣
I saw a video of one armed surfer Bethany Hamilton put her hair up in a bun. Google it!