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8trackdisco Offline
#51 Posted: Wed, May 10 2023, 8:21 PM EST
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,078
delta1 wrote:
We take my sister in for a "dry run" next week, in preparation for her radiation treatment for her brain cancer, which will start the following week. Hopefully, the tumor will be gone after the 6 weeks of radiation...in the meantime, my sister is getting a little more depressed about her condition...


the arthritis pain in my left wrist is becoming persistent, and makes doing anything with that hand painful... (cooking, washing dishes, yardwork, brushing and skimming the pool, reading a book, using my cellphone, holding a steering wheel) ...topical gel diclofenac sodium the orthopedist prescribed two years ago no longer effective...primary doc prescribed ibuprofen until I see the orthopedist again...


Have you been able to get out and walk without issue? Imagine the weather has greatly improved. Depending on how safe your neighborhood is, a nice couple three miles can help clear your head.

Good luck with your Sister. It has been a long road.
BuckyB93 Offline
#52 Posted: Wed, May 10 2023, 8:45 PM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,194
Positive news on the stress test Mr 8.

If you have a stoke and your heart is still pumping, I'll be in GB at the end of the month but I'm not gonna off you until you pick me up at the airport and deliver me to my folks house. Wait... if you stroke out I'll get an Uber but I'll will need your location for the next part of the plan.

Then, I'll drag you into the garage, start up my dad's car and let it idle so you slip away via carbon monoxide poisoning. If we do it right, we can mark it up as another COVID death.
8trackdisco Offline
#53 Posted: Wed, May 10 2023, 8:48 PM EST
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,078
BuckyB93 wrote:
Positive news on the stress test Mr 8.

If you have a stoke and your heart is still pumping, I'll be in GB at the end of the month but I'm not gonna off you until you pick me up at the airport and deliver me to my folks house. Wait... if you stroke out I'll just get an Uber but I'll will need your location for the next part of the plan.

Then, I'll drag you into the garage, start up my dad's car and let it idle so you slip away via carbon monoxide poisoning. If we do it right, we can mark it up as another COVID death.


DING, DING, DING!!!!
BuckyB93 Offline
#54 Posted: Wed, May 10 2023, 8:56 PM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,194
Why do I get this strange feeling that my posts might be used against me if I happen to be a defendant in a court of law?

"Your honor of the court, we have concrete evidence that Bucky has planned to kill Mr. 8track based on his posts on a discount cigar auction web forum."
Stogie1020 Offline
#55 Posted: Wed, May 10 2023, 11:20 PM EST
Joined: 12-19-2019
Posts: 5,341
BuckyB93 wrote:
Why do I get this strange feeling that my posts might be used against me if I happen to be a defendant in a court of law?

"Your honor of the court, we have concrete evidence that Bucky has planned to kill Mr. 8track based on his posts on a discount cigar auction web forum."

You are assuming cbid can keep the forums running long enough to use them against you...
MACS Offline
#56 Posted: Thu, May 11 2023, 4:46 AM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,789
Great news, brother 8. Was the same for me... had to pump up the angle and speed a few times. And my ticker was declared good to go.

That was 3 years ago. What with all the bbq and layabout, I think it may be a little different. d'oh!
rfenst Offline
#57 Posted: Thu, May 11 2023, 9:57 AM EST
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,330
delta1 wrote:
We take my sister in for a "dry run" next week, in preparation for her radiation treatment for her brain cancer, which will start the following week. Hopefully, the tumor will be gone after the 6 weeks of radiation...in the meantime, my sister is getting a little more depressed about her condition...


the arthritis pain in my left wrist is becoming persistent, and makes doing anything with that hand painful... (cooking, washing dishes, yardwork, brushing and skimming the pool, reading a book, using my cellphone, holding a steering wheel) ...topical gel diclofenac sodium the orthopedist prescribed two years ago no longer effective...primary doc prescribed ibuprofen until I see the orthopedist again...

Wife has beedn having a siilar problem.

Hand Surgeon identified the exact bone/tissue generating the pain with injections of a little bit of short acting anesthesia, which resulted in no pain for like 2-3 hours. Surgery scheduled for 2.5 weeks from no.

Her wrist will be good as new.

One tip: DO NOT SEE A GENERAL ORTHO! GO TO only A BOARD CERTIFIED HAND SURGEON!!!
Gene363 Offline
#58 Posted: Thu, May 11 2023, 10:31 AM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,819
MACS wrote:
Great news, brother 8. Was the same for me... had to pump up the angle and speed a few times. And my ticker was declared good to go.

That was 3 years ago. What with all the bbq and layabout, I think it may be a little different. d'oh!


ThumpUp ThumpUp ThumpUp
Gene363 Offline
#59 Posted: Thu, May 11 2023, 10:35 AM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,819
rfenst wrote:
Wife has beedn having a siilar problem.

Hand Surgeon identified the exact bone/tissue generating the pain with injections of a little bit of short acting anesthesia, which resulted in no pain for like 2-3 hours. Surgery scheduled for 2.5 weeks from no.

Her wrist will be good as new.

One tip: DO NOT SEE A GENERAL ORTHO! GO TO only A BOARD CERTIFIED HAND SURGEON!!!


Absolutely, hands are super complex and you want an expert.
delta1 Offline
#60 Posted: Thu, May 11 2023, 9:40 PM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,794
8trackdisco wrote:
Have you been able to get out and walk without issue? Imagine the weather has greatly improved. Depending on how safe your neighborhood is, a nice couple three miles can help clear your head.

Good luck with your Sister. It has been a long road.



yes, thank goodness...I walk nearly every day, for at least an hour or so... 3.5 - 4 miles. I have a fitness app on my Samsung Galaxy that has a step counter and exercise timer. Looking at the history I average about 7 hours per week of timed walking, which doesn't include incidental daily activity like shopping, cooking or working around the house...



rfenst wrote:
Wife has beedn having a siilar problem.

Hand Surgeon identified the exact bone/tissue generating the pain with injections of a little bit of short acting anesthesia, which resulted in no pain for like 2-3 hours. Surgery scheduled for 2.5 weeks from no.

Her wrist will be good as new.

One tip: DO NOT SEE A GENERAL ORTHO! GO TO only A BOARD CERTIFIED HAND SURGEON!!!




Thanks Robert, for the advice to see only a Board certified hand surgeon if surgery becomes necessary. Knowing how Kaiser takes a conservative and methodical approach to health issues, I'm guessing the next step will be a cortisone injection and then surgery
ZRX1200 Offline
#61 Posted: Thu, May 11 2023, 11:09 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,614
I loathe Kaiser…and we’re not even a Kaiser zone.
Sunoverbeach Offline
#62 Posted: Fri, May 12 2023, 12:00 AM EST
Joined: 08-11-2017
Posts: 14,668
He is supposed to be Turkish. Some say his father was German. Nobody believed he was real.
deadeyedick Offline
#63 Posted: Fri, May 12 2023, 7:54 AM EST
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 17,097
Sunoverbeach wrote:
He is supposed to be Turkish. Some say his father was German. Nobody believed he was real.


We all been Sözed here.
8trackdisco Offline
#64 Posted: Fri, May 12 2023, 6:52 PM EST
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,078
Dad is out of the hospital from the stroke he had Sunday. He’s now in a nursing home closer to their house (10 miles).

That is an improvement. Will take it.
DrafterX Offline
#65 Posted: Fri, May 12 2023, 7:35 PM EST
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,552
Damn... Sad
Didn't know 8.. improvement is good tho... Mellow
Gene363 Offline
#66 Posted: Fri, May 12 2023, 8:56 PM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,819
8trackdisco wrote:
Dad is out of the hospital from the stroke he had Sunday. He’s now in. Nursing home closer to their house (10 miles).

That is an improvement. Will take it.



Yes, and the hospital is no place to get any rest.

As my RN (retired) wife says, "If you're getting rest in the hospital, some nurse is not doing their job."
MACS Offline
#67 Posted: Sat, May 13 2023, 6:56 AM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,789
Fortunately I have never had an overnight stay in the hospital. Just same day surgery on the shoulder and once on my hand.

I'm hoping I can keep that trend going for as long as possible.

Glad to hear pops is out of the joint, Russ. (knowing your dad, the hospital is likely the same as prison to him)
BuckyB93 Offline
#68 Posted: Sat, May 13 2023, 8:04 AM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,194
Strokes are scary. Glad you dad is making improvements.

I dislike hospitals too. They are full of sick people.
delta1 Offline
#69 Posted: Tue, May 16 2023, 1:50 PM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,794
and the patients in them are kinda scary too....
Stogie1020 Offline
#70 Posted: Tue, May 16 2023, 2:18 PM EST
Joined: 12-19-2019
Posts: 5,341
8trackdisco wrote:
Dad is out of the hospital from the stroke he had Sunday. He’s now in a nursing home closer to their house (10 miles).

That is an improvement. Will take it.

Glad to hear he is doing better, 8.
8trackdisco Offline
#71 Posted: Tue, May 16 2023, 9:11 PM EST
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,078
Thanks, Fellas.

Saw him on Saturday. He's weak and brittle. Mostly makes sense when he talks. It is better when he slows his speech cadence down or he sounds blurry.

I'd give him extra credit is he'd put his teeth in, but that is a "bridge" too far.

Can tell by his eyes he wants to be done with all this. If it were me, think I'd tap out after the second heart attack, first stroke and first cancer. The guy is taking a lickin and keeps on tickin'. His mom lived into her 90s. Hope he isn't cursed with that.

A day at a time.
Ram27 Offline
#72 Posted: Tue, May 16 2023, 9:43 PM EST
Joined: 04-30-2005
Posts: 49,025
Keeping your family in our prayers Eight.
BuckyB93 Offline
#73 Posted: Tue, May 16 2023, 9:56 PM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,194
Day at a time indeed. It's tough to see folks we love melt away. We will all have to go there at some point unless we pass away unexpectedly.

I have a vivid memory of visiting my ex-wife's grandfather in the nursing homes when he was on his last legs (after a couple of strokes).

At the end of his days, he was in the nursing home and he was a shell of himself. He couldn't communicate much other than hand signals and looking in his eyes there was not much behind them. Just an empty stare. I think he could register who was visiting I'm but not sure.

I told my wife, after our last visit before he died, that if I ever get to that point... just check me out of the place and roll me into the woods. Hopefully in the winter where I can pass away via hypothermia or something. Just another old guy that wandered out of the hospital and was found dead lost in the woods.
Gene363 Offline
#74 Posted: Wed, May 17 2023, 8:12 AM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,819
Ram27 wrote:
Keeping your family in our prayers Eight.


+1
rfenst Offline
#75 Posted: Wed, May 17 2023, 2:08 PM EST
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,330
Prayers for your Dad and family.
BuckyB93 Offline
#76 Posted: Mon, May 22 2023, 8:45 PM EST
Joined: 07-16-2004
Posts: 14,194
My Mom's new hip replacement went well. Dr said that she needed the new hip badly as her femoral something or other was completely collapsed. He said that it should immediately relive the pain (after the surgery trauma subsides). She's staying the night at the hospital and will be in physical rehab for a week or so. They even want her to get up and start using a walker tonight.

I'm amazed with modern medicine. Not including pre-op and post-op, her operation was a 90 minute process. Essentially amputating a leg at the hip joint and to put in a new man made hip. By mid afternoon when she sobered up from the general anesthesia and has some food they are gonna get her walking with walker.

90 minutes to change a hip? I take an hour or hour and half while I lazily change the oil and oil filter in my car.

I'll be back in Sconnie in about 13 hrs assuming the flights are all on schedule.
Ram27 Offline
#77 Posted: Tue, May 23 2023, 6:40 AM EST
Joined: 04-30-2005
Posts: 49,025
Glad all went well for Mom Bucky.
Keeping family in our prayers.
Safe travels.
8trackdisco Offline
#78 Posted: Tue, May 23 2023, 6:46 AM EST
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,078
BuckyB93 wrote:
My Mom's new hip replacement went well. Dr said that she needed the new hip badly as her femoral something or other was completely collapsed. He said that it should immediately relive the pain (after the surgery trauma subsides). She's staying the night at the hospital and will be in physical rehab for a week or so. They even want her to get up and start using a walker tonight.

I'm amazed with modern medicine. Not including pre-op and post-op, her operation was a 90 minute process. Essentially amputating a leg at the hip joint and to put in a new man made hip. By mid afternoon when she sobered up from the general anesthesia and has some food they are gonna get her walking with walker.

90 minutes to change a hip? I take an hour or hour and half while I lazily change the oil and oil filter in my car.

I'll be back in Sconnie in about 13 hrs assuming the flights are all on schedule.


Being the two biggest hospitals are next to each other, we could visit our parents together!

Who says I don’t know how to party?!
deadeyedick Offline
#79 Posted: Tue, May 23 2023, 7:18 AM EST
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 17,097
8trackdisco wrote:
Being the two biggest hospitals are next to each other, we could visit our parents together!

Who says I don’t know how to party?!


A hospital herf! d'oh!
Gene363 Offline
#80 Posted: Tue, May 23 2023, 7:24 AM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,819
Ram27 wrote:
Glad all went well for Mom Bucky.
Keeping family in our prayers.
Safe travels.



+1
MACS Offline
#81 Posted: Tue, May 23 2023, 7:39 AM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,789
8trackdisco wrote:
Being the two biggest hospitals are next to each other, we could visit our parents together!

Who says I don’t know how to party?!


Now that's a pooper, not a Par-tay.
Stogie1020 Offline
#82 Posted: Tue, May 23 2023, 11:33 AM EST
Joined: 12-19-2019
Posts: 5,341
Glad it went well Bucky. I hope the recovery goes as smoothly for her.
rfenst Offline
#83 Posted: Tue, May 23 2023, 1:49 PM EST
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,330
BuckyB93 wrote:

I'm amazed with modern medicine. Not including pre-op and post-op, her operation was a 90 minute process... I take an hour or hour and half while I lazily change the oil and oil filter in my car.


Hope your mother does well fast!

ON THE MIRICLE OF MODERN MEDICINE: My then 80-year old mother had a heart valve replacement entirely through her groin in less than 90 minutes. They did it all by catheter/scope- through her groin to her heart- to cut out and removed the old failed valve and installed a new fully functioning artificial one. They did not go through her chest. She went home the next day and couldn't drive for only like 2 days.

UNBELEIVABLE!
8trackdisco Offline
#84 Posted: Tue, May 23 2023, 9:13 PM EST
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,078
deadeyedick wrote:
A hospital herf! d'oh!


In an oxygen tent.
DrafterX Offline
#85 Posted: Wed, May 24 2023, 6:15 AM EST
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,552
8trackdisco wrote:
In a nitrous oxide tent.


ThumpUp
8trackdisco Offline
#86 Posted: Wed, May 24 2023, 3:55 PM EST
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,078
Azz kicker of a day. Case Management person, Hospitalist, several nurses. A long 3.5 hours.

Now prepping notes for the conversation with my sister to get her up to speed.
delta1 Offline
#87 Posted: Thu, May 25 2023, 1:03 PM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,794
Sister had her fifth radiation treatment yesterday. Twenty two more to go...

She is feeling depressed again, after a couple of upbeat days. She said she knows her mental abilities have been impaired, along with the physical problems that have immobilized her. She hates being bedridden and confined to a wheelchair. Tried to cheer her up and encourage her by telling her that the radiation treatment will possibly help her regain some lost function by reducing the stress in that portion of her brain that controls those lost and impaired functions. I told her that with physical therapy and lots of effort on her part, she may be able to get out of the chair and move on her own again, with a walker.

I honestly don't know if the outcome will be restored function. After the tumor was discovered and the biopsy done, the neurologist said that with radiation, there is some improvement in a few cases, but the likeliest outcome is to stop deterioration and maintain current function, a depressing thought.
Stogie1020 Offline
#88 Posted: Thu, May 25 2023, 2:14 PM EST
Joined: 12-19-2019
Posts: 5,341
Sorry to hear, Delta. Does your sister have any hobbies that she can still enjoy to take her mind off things?
Ram27 Offline
#89 Posted: Thu, May 25 2023, 2:24 PM EST
Joined: 04-30-2005
Posts: 49,025
Prayers for you and family delta. Pray
Huzza3045 Offline
#90 Posted: Thu, May 25 2023, 2:34 PM EST
Joined: 11-07-2022
Posts: 545
I don’t know if you all have the coverage for it, but health psychologists can be extremely helpful for folks going through chemo. My aunt said that they made radiation 100x less depressing for her.
delta1 Offline
#91 Posted: Thu, May 25 2023, 5:24 PM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,794
thanks for the support, brothers...

my sister just watches TV...she used to be an avid reader, and I've brought her a variety of books, but she no longer cares to read. I'm not sure if it's due to loss of strength and dexterity in her left arm and hand making it difficult to hold a book and turn the pages, or what. It could be her mental impairment and short term memory issues negatively affects her reading comprehension and retention of information, making reading less enjoyable.

Taking her out and about is extremely difficult because she weighs 135 lbs, and has to be lifted out of her transport chair and into the passenger seat, and then vice versa. She cannot stand on her own, so it's like a 135 lb sack of potatoes. Lifting and pivoting in such tight quarters without banging her head is tough. I can barely do it, and I'm fearful of dropping/injuring her during the transfer.

We have suggested seeing a psychologist, primarily to replace the Prozac she's taken for years. Her primary care doctor made a referral...sister declined. We'll monitor her progress as she gets deeper into her radiation treatment and revisit this if warranted. She may change her mind if her depression worsens.
Gene363 Offline
#92 Posted: Thu, May 25 2023, 5:33 PM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,819
Pray

Audio books?
delta1 Offline
#93 Posted: Thu, May 25 2023, 5:35 PM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,794
dammm, Gene, didn't even think of it...I'm gonna check into them and see how sister likes them. Thank you very much!
Gene363 Offline
#94 Posted: Thu, May 25 2023, 7:50 PM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,819
Glad to help is such a small way. Perhaps headphones or ear buds too.
8trackdisco Offline
#95 Posted: Thu, May 25 2023, 8:21 PM EST
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,078
delta1 wrote:
thanks for the support, brothers...

my sister just watches TV...she used to be an avid reader, and I've brought her a variety of books, but she no longer cares to read. I'm not sure if it's due to loss of strength and dexterity in her left arm and hand making it difficult to hold a book and turn the pages, or what. It could be her mental impairment and short term memory issues negatively affects her reading comprehension and retention of information, making reading less enjoyable.

Taking her out and about is extremely difficult because she weighs 135 lbs, and has to be lifted out of her transport chair and into the passenger seat, and then vice versa. She cannot stand on her own, so it's like a 135 lb sack of potatoes. Lifting and pivoting in such tight quarters without banging her head is tough. I can barely do it, and I'm fearful of dropping/injuring her during the transfer.

We have suggested seeing a psychologist, primarily to replace the Prozac she's taken for years. Her primary care doctor made a referral...sister declined. We'll monitor her progress as she gets deeper into her radiation treatment and revisit this if warranted. She may change her mind if her depression worsens.


Loss of the retention of the information is a bummer and would ruin reading for me as well. You are doing everything you can. Be sure to take care of yourself in the care taking process.
Stogie1020 Offline
#96 Posted: Fri, May 26 2023, 11:40 AM EST
Joined: 12-19-2019
Posts: 5,341
8trackdisco wrote:
Loss of the retention of the information is a bummer and would ruin reading for me as well. You are doing everything you can. Be sure to take care of yourself in the care taking process.


I second that motion.

Also, if the audio books are a hit, it may be worth getting a library card at your local library. There are usually a ton of books on audio for borrowing.
rfenst Offline
#97 Posted: Fri, May 26 2023, 6:13 PM EST
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,330
Sorry to learn of this, Al.
Prayers.
delta1 Offline
#98 Posted: Fri, May 26 2023, 8:17 PM EST
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,794
I do have some good news...about me...

had an appointment with an orthopedic doctor today regarding my arthritic left wrist/thumb...she had me take some additional x-rays so she could get different views of my left wrist and thumb...

I explained the pain had been getting more constant and severe with any activity that involved squeezing, lifting, holding and twisting with my left hand. The pain was most severe at the base of the thumb.

She identified on an x-ray the area with the damage and showed me two significant bone spurs and the muddled cloudy appearance of the damaged cartilage. She compared it to the same bone and cartilage in the x-ray of my right hand - the difference was shocking. She said she could do a steroid injection which would provide immediate pain relief, but she acknowledged the steroid could do more eventual damage to the bones at the site of the injection.

She said she believed that surgery was the best next step, and that she is a hand and wrist specialist who has done similar surgeries for the past 13 years. She said she would remove the arthritic bone, clean out the damaged cartilage and debris. The she'd remove a section of tendon from my left arm that would be used to provide a structural replacement for the bone and serve as a tendon to hold that area together.

She said the actual recovery would be about a year...when many patients who have had the procedure done reported the wrist and thumb felt normal and pain free. First is post op immobilization for six weeks, then two months of physical therapy to "teach" the new joint how to function. After that it would be my responsibility to continue physical therapy on my own, doing exercises to strengthen the thumb and fingers so that I can pinch the thumb to each finger, make a fist and grip large and small items...basically dexterity, mobility, flexibility and strength. Along the way there will be periodic visits with her to monitor my progress.

Finally...a game plan to fix an ailment that has annoyed me for more than 50 years!!!
8trackdisco Offline
#99 Posted: Fri, May 26 2023, 10:22 PM EST
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,078
delta1 wrote:
I do have some good news...about me...

had an appointment with an orthopedic doctor today regarding my arthritic left wrist/thumb...she had me take some additional x-rays so she could get different views of my left wrist and thumb...

I explained the pain had been getting more constant and severe with any activity that involved squeezing, lifting, holding and twisting with my left hand. The pain was most severe at the base of the thumb.

She identified on an x-ray the area with the damage and showed me two significant bone spurs and the muddled cloudy appearance of the damaged cartilage. She compared it to the same bone and cartilage in the x-ray of my right hand - the difference was shocking. She said she could do a steroid injection which would provide immediate pain relief, but she acknowledged the steroid could do more eventual damage to the bones at the site of the injection.

She said she believed that surgery was the best next step, and that she is a hand and wrist specialist who has done similar surgeries for the past 13 years. She said she would remove the arthritic bone, clean out the damaged cartilage and debris. The she'd remove a section of tendon from my left arm that would be used to provide a structural replacement for the bone and serve as a tendon to hold that area together.

She said the actual recovery would be about a year...when many patients who have had the procedure done reported the wrist and thumb felt normal and pain free. First is post op immobilization for six weeks, then two months of physical therapy to "teach" the new joint how to function. After that it would be my responsibility to continue physical therapy on my own, doing exercises to strengthen the thumb and fingers so that I can pinch the thumb to each finger, make a fist and grip large and small items...basically dexterity, mobility, flexibility and strength. Along the way there will be periodic visits with her to monitor my progress.

Finally...a game plan to fix an ailment that has annoyed me for more than 50 years!!!


Game Changer to say the least. Long road, however you’ll be on the pavement, instead of the ditch you’ve been it foe half a century.

Hope with a Plan beats just Hope and continuous pain.

Early Congrats, Delta.
rfenst Offline
#100 Posted: Sat, May 27 2023, 7:07 AM EST
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,330
delta1 wrote:
I do have some good news...about me...

had an appointment with an orthopedic doctor today regarding my arthritic left wrist/thumb...she had me take some additional x-rays so she could get different views of my left wrist and thumb...

I explained the pain had been getting more constant and severe with any activity that involved squeezing, lifting, holding and twisting with my left hand. The pain was most severe at the base of the thumb.

She identified on an x-ray the area with the damage and showed me two significant bone spurs and the muddled cloudy appearance of the damaged cartilage. She compared it to the same bone and cartilage in the x-ray of my right hand - the difference was shocking. She said she could do a steroid injection which would provide immediate pain relief, but she acknowledged the steroid could do more eventual damage to the bones at the site of the injection.

She said she believed that surgery was the best next step, and that she is a hand and wrist specialist who has done similar surgeries for the past 13 years. She said she would remove the arthritic bone, clean out the damaged cartilage and debris. The she'd remove a section of tendon from my left arm that would be used to provide a structural replacement for the bone and serve as a tendon to hold that area together.

She said the actual recovery would be about a year...when many patients who have had the procedure done reported the wrist and thumb felt normal and pain free. First is post op immobilization for six weeks, then two months of physical therapy to "teach" the new joint how to function. After that it would be my responsibility to continue physical therapy on my own, doing exercises to strengthen the thumb and fingers so that I can pinch the thumb to each finger, make a fist and grip large and small items...basically dexterity, mobility, flexibility and strength. Along the way there will be periodic visits with her to monitor my progress.

Finally...a game plan to fix an ailment that has annoyed me for more than 50 years!!!

GREAT news!!!
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