| |
|
Lovin IT! & Injuries Recovery 4
 I am rebelling and want to wear my bikini under my clothes to work, I still want to be on vacation! Slowly going through the mass of photos we took while on vacation. Reminising along the way as I look at each one of them. Ok, B & NJ, I will get the photos to you, but I am not sending the whole shebang, so it is taking a bit of time. K and I talk every day about what you are up to and we agree, every moment of the trip spent with the two of you was just so awesome-you're the greatest tour guides ever and we learned so much!
While taking photos we saw the coolest grasshopper. Yes, he really is as big as pictured here. They were everywhere and as we walked along, many jumped around us. While I understand they are a nuisance, they're still really colorful and it's not every day you get to see one this big.  Update on my hand and arm: diagnosis, Carpal TunnelI already suspected I had carpal tunnel in my hand but never went to see a doctor to confirm it until now. He put me in a splint for 30 days at night time. While on vacation, I didn't have any pain but he said I still have inflamation around the nerves. Now that I am back to work, the pain has returned. Hopefully the splint will help; I started wearing it to work to see if I can speed my recovery along. The splint is a bit big (even though it is for a small hand like mine) and is rubbing the skin off one of my knuckles, so I am a bit challenged at the moment. I just finished the bi-monthly newsletter (that I am editor of) and have a brochure to create by the 27th and I hope I can manage through it all. Think positive- I know I can! I am off to bed for some rest to see if that will help too. Labels: "carpal tunnel", "Maggie Summers", family, grasshopper, injury, ocean, recovery, vacation
Silver Bella & Plans
 Picture: Delphiniums in my garden. Silver Bella 2008 is fast approaching, set for November 13 - 15th. Last year's event was such a fabulous time and I had the opportunity to meet so many creative and talented women. The classes I attended were so inspiring and I came home with oodles of projects, some I must admit are still unfinished and lying in a drawer-a winter project maybe? I will get to them one of these days, I promise! I won't be attending this year as my priorities have changed however I am tickled that so many of the great women I met will be in town again. I do hope I will get to see them all! Of the priorities I mentioned, one is to to get my arm back into tip-top shape. No news on that front yet, I still have to see a hand specialist and I think I will need surgery but that isn't a definite either. We'll be heading to Florida for a vacation soon and I am SO excited, I can hardly wait. We'll be going to see my brother and SIL and it's been way too long since we last saw each other. Labels: delphiniums, flowers, garden, recovery, Silver Bella
Injuries Recovery 3
 Feeling small as a bug today, wish I could fly away! I had my EMG tests today and let's just say, they were shocking! I took a couple of tylenol prior, hoping it would take the edge off. The pain from the needles wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, though the electrodes were the most painful/uncomfortable. The doctor actually gives you a shock or jolt of electricity, then more and more until she/he gets the results they are looking for. Painful enough to get your attention. It made me jumpy, anticpating the next jolt which would leave you flinching from it. Most weren't bad until the doctor tested the area where I had the most pain. Then I really took notice. The doctor was 30ish, and a pretty red head, German, with no bed side manner whatsoever, quite void of emotion. Completely analytical, focused and all business, yet she was wearing a long floral skirt and a blue jean jacket. What's that all about? Cold as a fish. :) She didn't smile however when I asked her a particular question about her profession for a milisecond I think I actually heard a smile in her voice rather than saw one on her face. I have to say she did a thorough job and my anticipation was worse than the procedures. NOTE TO SELF: never read about the procedure on the internet prior to the appointment. She did give me a glowing report though and said I had no never damage- YAY! I will survive. Now on to the hand specialist for more tests. Labels: EMG, recovery
Injuries and Recovery 2
 This morning I go in for an EMG test. My understanding is that the test is unpleasant and painful-oh joy! I feel like a human guinea pig, not enjoying the thought of being stuck with several needles intramuscularly (electrodes) and then the electrical activity is picked up by the electrodes and monitored to see if there isn any nerve damage. Geez Louise! I KNOW. The knowledge that in 20 minutes to an hour I will be out of there and back to work motivates me. Then once the test results are in, I will be sent to a hand specialist. I just want to get on with working again without pain. I am off to take some Tylenol...I was hoping to take something much stronger...he he, but tis not the case. Have a great Wednesday and say a prayer for me will you? Labels: EMG, recovery
Injuries and Recovery
  My gardens are a bloom with color! I've recently been struggling with pain in my right hand and arm. It is exasberated by doing anything with my right hand which as a graphic designer and illustrator can be disheartening. I don't believe it is carpul tunnel though I do experience a bit of it from time to time. I've had a blocked vein (feels like a little nodule) near my elbow for at least 12 years now and often when working,when I rest my arm on something, it puts pressure on that spot. I try to adjust this as needed. The nodule seems to have gotten bigger and is tender with inflamation. I believe it is blocking the blood supply to my right hand resulting in some of the pain, the other I think is some form of arthritis.
An injury occured at my oldest son's birthday party (when he was young). One of his friends who was quite a big, sturdy fellow for his age, was rocking back and forth on our oak kitchen chair and fell backwards. I tried to break his fall by grabbing the back of the chair and went down with it crushing my hand between him and the floor. Oak is not forgiving. It took quite a while to heal but my hand has suffered the damage and now from time to time it has started to ache. It couldn't have been my left hand, right? So, tomorrow I will make and appointment to get the nodule looked at. Years ago I showed it to my doctor and he didn't seem concerned, just said as long as it doesn't bother you don't do anything but watch it. It's one of two I have on my arm.
Drawing has been put on hold for time being. I also belong to a professional organization where I am the editor of the chapter's newsletter (more about that later) and have some concerns as the next edition is due soon and any time spent on the computer hurts (like now!) My hope is that my hand and arm will recover so that I can continue doing what I love to do best.
So I will sign off but apologize for my lack of illustration postings. Posting photos will have to be it for now. I have to say I just love photography and its so hard not to take pictures of such beautiful subjects. Don't you agree?
On thoughts about injuries and recovering from them, it brings to mind an article I read about in the newspaper, about Thomas Auen, 14, of Sioux City, Iowa, a young boy scout who was injured in the recent tornado that killed 4 of his fellow boy scouts while on a camping trip in Iowa. Thomas who is in intensive care is unable to speak because of a breathing tube. When asked by his father if he had anything to say, Thomas took a notepad and wrote: "Lord, together we can handle anything." What an impression this boy's words left upon me, from one so young but so wise. It is his thoughts, courage, and that sentence, that will stay with me as I deal with my hand and arm. Thomas, you are so right and I thank you. May God be with all the families of the 4 young boys that lost their lives, the young boys who are still recovering from their injuries, and those boys who walked away from the storm unharmed but emotionally in need, I wish you a swift recovery, I know you are in Good Hands! P.S. Mother, don't worry, I have a handle on the arm thing and will be fine! :) I'll let you know what I hear after I see the doctor. Labels: "Iowa tornado", "Thomas Auen", boy scouts, EMG, flowers, garden, geraniums, Maggie Summers, petunias, planters, rain, recovery
| | |
