It Was Getting on my Nerves!

Then I had the carpal tunnel release surgery and the doctor helped get rid of the bully   Thank you!

There aren’t enough words to express how thankful I am to everyone involved! Anyone who has experienced nerve pain, really knows how something so tiny can bring you to your knees.

Being rid of that nerve pain is life-changing! I woke up from surgery and actually felt better than I have in a long time. Sometimes, you don’t realize how bad something really has become, until it’s gone. It’s not sudden like a lobster being thrown into a pot of boiling water, it’s like a frog that’s put into tepid water and is slowly brought to a boil.

The pain and trouble from this are just temporary. I really didn’t have much pain from the actual surgery. Mostly from the incision and stitches. The real pain starts when you try to do more with that hand. The nerves were crushed so after surgery, they are allowed to take up the necessary space. They need time to heal. It takes time for them to adjust. They do so much so they deserve patience. Otherwise, they will eventually demand it. Nerve pain after surgery is not constant, it’s a result of putting pressure on it. It feels like banging your funny bone. More like a little electric shock.

Nerves are miraculous! They are so powerful but very delicate at the same time.

I have learned that you must truly respect nerves! One minute, you can be fine but the next, you can fall to the floor, at their whim. Don’t play around with nerves. They will let you think you can do something but still have the ultimate say. Don’t forget that!

Rainy days have always caused me tremendous pain. The change in barometric pressure has a profound effect on me. I become noticeably shaky because of the overall nerve damage. We have had some really bad weather lately in NY and this is the first time, in over a decade, that it did not affect my hand at all! I’m so grateful for that! I used to love rainy days, now I can again!

Please remember that every person and situation is very different. No two experiences are the same. My other hand could even be different. I just hope by sharing my story, it might help give people a rough idea of what to expect.

Out of everything, the worst was the fear of so many unknowns. It was so much worse in my head. I’m hoping that I can help alleviate some of those fears for people. Just remember that there is a big difference between “could” and “should”. That’s an important rule while you heal. And listen to the doctor! They have many experiences with this, trust them!

I worried about things a lot more than I needed to. I was especially concerned about using one limb to transfer but I was able to adjust to things by leaning on my elbow instead. 

A week after surgery, I was already thinking about when I could do my other hand. My left hand was pretty bad before but since surgery, it hasn’t really been bothering me much. I imagine it’s because it’s getting much less use in the past few weeks. Or my guardian angel is doing a good job!

The question people ask most often is “do you regret it?”

Not for one second! There have been some unpleasant things but even at my sickest from anesthesia or getting the stitches out….. Not a second of regret.

One of the things that nobody prepares you for is the strain on your other arm. I practiced doing everything one handed for years. I’d do one handed laps in parallel bars for hours. I do hours of exercise a day and try to incorporate my arms as much as I can. Still, none of that prepared me for what it would feel like if I had to do it all the time. It felt like I was constantly getting birthday punches. So even though I hate sitting still, doing nothing, I didn’t want to suffer the consequences of doing more than I had to. That would leave me with no working arms and with my luck, I’d have to go to the bathroom

Plus, it doesn’t get washed as well, you can’t put lotion on it, etc…..

There are preppers and then there are over-preppers. I’m the latter. I’ll share some very helpful things I did and some things that I wish I had thought about.

The week before surgery, I cleaned my entire house and did all of my laundry so I had no chores to do and everything was available. I had a bag of freshly cleaned sheets and comforter. The night before surgery, they want you to wash with this surgical scrub, sleep on clean sheets and then wash with the surgical scrub again in the morning.

Scissors will be your best friend! Keep a few handy. Just remember that if you need to use your non-dominant hand, your regular scissors might not work. Some are ambidextrous but others aren’t.

If you have long hair, keep it in a bun. It’s not fun trying to brush very knotty hair with your non-dominant hand. I forgot a few times and thought about shaving my head haha Then I figured I’d just cut a few inches but ironically couldn’t really handle scissors. So if you want to cut your hair, do it before.

I have the greatest respect for people who can only use one hand! It’s so hard and very frustrating! You don’t realize how many things require two hands until you experience the world with only one. It shows that you can empathize as much as possible with someone but experiencing it is totally different! I only had to deal with this temporarily but I know people who deal with this every day of their lives. I absolutely bow down to you!

After I did my laundry, I got two reusable bags and filled them with everything I needed. In one bag, I put some very baggy clothes that were easy to put on, towels, washcloths, underwear, socks, etc….. in the other bag, I put activities to do, baby wipes, paper towels and any paperwork from the hospital.

In the weeks leading up to surgery, I tried buying things I might need.

I love tea! I’m Irish so I think that’s a requirement hahahaha Having nerve damage, my instant reactions reset to primitive concerns. Especially heat and shadows. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve jumped and punched myself in the face or covered myself in hot water. It’s comical. It got risky carrying the teakettle across the room. I’m daring but not with boiling water, sharks, bears, ghosts, etc….. I took so many precautions. I used an oven mitt and held it at arm’s length. It’s boiling water though, I wasn’t going to try all of that with my left hand. So I bought an electric kettle. What a big help and it boils water much faster.

I bought a set of two grabbers online. I really didn’t use them much. Not that they wouldn’t be useful to people, I’m just really stubborn. 

I purchased these magnetic door holders because my door is pretty heavy. It’s very helpful and easy to install. The magnet is strong enough to hold the door but very easy to pull free. They have two options for mounting- adhesive or screws. They provide both.

I knew I would need ice packs. I found a two pack that were cloth wraps with a hole for your thumb and velcro to secure it. They can also be heated in the microwave. This was great because when I needed a new one, it was ready to go while the other one refroze. Plus the thumb hole and velcro allow it to stay secure, even while you sleep.

I got single drink mixes and some sports water bottles. I pre-opened both the drinking part and the base so they would be easier to open when I needed to use them. I also washed every covered cup I had and made a bunch of drinks beforehand.

Afterwards, your hand is covered in bandages and a splint. You really don’t want to get it dirty or spill something on it that smells because you’ll be carrying it around for a while. I’m sure it wouldn’t help you and the doctor probably wouldn’t love it either. Here are pictures of week 1 and week 2 bandages. I also have a picture after the first bandage removal and one after getting the stitches removed, without the bandage. I don’t want to post anything that might be bothersome to anyone but please feel free to contact me if you want to see them.

What you eat really does matter! If you do eat something messy, I’d definitely cover that hand with a bag or towel. Plus, bland food is a good idea. You don’t want an upset stomach right now. I made a bunch of pasta with butter and filled several single serve containers so I didn’t have to worry about that. I also got raspberry Uncrustables. A great snack that doesn’t require any preparation.

Don’t forget your pets! I don’t have a typical fluffy dog. I have a bearded dragon and a leopard gecko. Please go over every possible situation for any pet and plan for someone to maybe come help you if they need to be walked or anything too strenuous.

Reptiles fascinate me. Trust isn’t easily obtained with them so when you get it, you know you really earned it. I love science. I think that the intricate patterns, their needs, behaviors and everything about them tell you so much about the wonders of genetics and a body’s ability to adapt to its surroundings. I also find it fascinating that their main concerns are basic for survival. Being human can be a curse sometimes because we have so many concerns. But that can also give us wonderful rewards at times. I hope your rewards always outweigh your worries. Enough to make your worries worth it.

A lot of people think that reptiles don’t really have emotions. So many people change their minds after meeting them. They just hide them really well. That’s probably why I love them.

The gecko keeps to herself but my bearded dragon will bang her nose on the doors of her enclosure and demand attention. Most of the time, it’s just because I leave the room. Probably separation anxiety hahahaha I’ll come to get her out. She just stares me down and doesn’t want to come out. If I stay where she can see me, she’s good. You know those pictures whose eyes follow you everywhere? That’s what it’s like having this bearded dragon. Even when I peek from the next room, she’s giving me the side-eye. Always watching me. Some beardies are indifferent to people but I think she’s co-dependent.

 I covered my arm with a towel when dealing with them because reptiles do have bacteria that you definitely don’t want near an open wound. Reptiles are very different from a lot of other pets. They don’t care that you are hurt and will just climb on your wound without hesitation or concern. You can fall and be bleeding but all they are concerned with is if you are getting up to feed them. It’s the ultimate S&M relationship

They eat worms so I practiced feeding them with one hand and put everything where I could reach it. My bearded dragon also eats salad daily. Most of the really bad bacteria are in their saliva so washing her dish with one hand was tricky.

It’s so funny because even she knows that my coordination sucks. One day, I was going to stand and put her in the window but every time my muscles tensed to stand, she’d noticeably tense up which made me crack up. It was like she was saying “oh crap!” But every time I tried again, the same thing happened. I’d be laughing while getting dirty looks from a lizard who was really looking forward to it hahahaha

One big thing I wish I had thought of was that a lot of things I have (especially in the bathroom) are pump bottles for convenience but you can’t do them easily with one hand. I put my hand soap bottle in my sink when I use it, then I can brace it against the side. Getting shampoo and conditioner was hilarious.

Maybe get a set of easy squeeze travel bottles. That’s something I really regret not thinking about! If you like perfume or cologne, get the roller ball type.

After surgery, you really shouldn’t get the wound wet. As long as the stitches are in, there are open wounds. Water can carry bacteria or chemicals right into a very vulnerable part of your body. That can only do damage.

In the shower, you can cover your hand with a bag and rubber band but I got one of those plastic surgical sleeves. I’ve known me my whole life and I knew that if I used a bag, I wouldn’t be able to relax. I would constantly be worried that the bag had a hole and something was getting wet. I’d keep “just checking”, getting everything wet anyway.

Those shower sleeves are great.

Sleeping was challenging for me because I normally sleep on my right side with my arm under my pillow. Do you know that is one of the worst sleeping positions for many conditions. Acid reflux and most digestive problems for example. That leaves your stomach hanging upside down so gravity helps make your problems worse. Sleeping on your back or left side also puts less pressure on your other organs. It’s so hard breaking lifelong habits.

People don’t usually need hand therapy after this surgery. Being that I needed to wheel my chair, the doctor thought I might. Then after getting to know me better, he recommended keeping my stitches in a little longer instead because I’m a little rough with it *my words, not his* I thought that was an excellent call.

Getting stitches out isn’t pleasant. You are at the doctor’s office, not a carnival. The doctor said I could now wet it. I was happy that I could take a shower without the sleeve cover. The doctor suggested wearing cushioned workout gloves to protect my hand when I wheel my chair. Since I foot ambulate, my palm has not had to touch my wheels once. Just my fingertips.

I didn’t put it directly into the water at first. I let the steam soften the dead skin so it would wash off. Less dead skin means less places for water and bacteria to hide. I continued washing my hair with one hand. Hair caught on a piece of skin would end badly. Then I lowered the water temperature and gently washed my hand. Afterwards, I made sure to dry it very well. If water gets trapped under a piece of skin, it can create an infection.

You should also moisturize. Your skin gets seriously dry being covered and not exposed to water.

I got a few squishy stress balls and a crochet keychain kit to help regain strength when I’m cleared to exercise and this incision heals further. I honestly don’t even think I’ll need them.

I heard that it can take 2-6 months to regain full strength. I love exercising so I got worried about not being able to do it as much. I got these exercise hooks that people sometimes use when they want to lift weights or other exercises that require grip strength. They are helpful when your grip strength is not great. Most people with limited use of their hands are familiar with them. I already returned them because I know I won’t need them. 

Until then, I’ve been doing the exercise bike, crunches, going to the park…..I have to do something or I’d get even crazier.

I hated that I gained weight. Being stagnant and I have a serious sweet tooth. I won’t just eat one thing either. Something about being sick or hurt, seems to make people rationalize that they “deserve it”. It’s a slippery slope. 

Going into surgery was nerve-wracking but when it comes to things like that, I just go on autopilot. I saw it as something important that I had to do and emotions could wait until later. They just complicate everything anyway.

I was only able to handle this alone because I foot ambulate and can stand. For people who can’t use their legs, you will likely need some help. If you have a manual wheelchair, speak with your medical supply company about borrowing a power chair or getting a push assist device.

Look into a temporary home health aid or ask a relative to help you.

I just got my stitches out recently. The day before, I got a splinter in my middle finger and two days later, I got a big cut on my ring finger. In walmart! Germ central station! As if everything else wasn’t enough

The doctor wants to see me in a few weeks and I will update everyone on my progress. Plus I’m sure there are things I forgot. Don’t worry, it’ll come to me one day, at 4am, when I’m in a deep sleep. A month later and everything is great. I leave it uncovered all day to get air and bandage it with antibiotic cream and a workout glove at night. My brain shuts down hard at night and if my hand itches, I’ll just scratch it relentlessly and probably do some damage. I wear a glove when I go out too and I avoid putting any pressure on it.

Here’s a picture of it now. To give people a visual of where the incision is and how much it heals in a month.

The surgeon’s amazing attitude really helped a lot! That can’t be learned in school and will take him very far in life. Thank you again for being such a wonderful person!

As a precaution, they write the procedure that you are there for right on the intended site.

He also signed my arm for me