Ladies & Gents.... we have treatment!!!!!!!!!

So, Monday I was able to see a hand specialist. Thank you Lord that Tri-care approved the referral. The hand specialist did some very intense Motion and Motor Skills testing with my left hand/wrist/arm, and the final diagnosis is Carpal Tunnel and Severe De Quervain's tendinitis ( an inflamation of the tendons under the thumb and in the inner wrist). Apart from having a diagnosis, I am thrilled that we now can start a treatment plan to kick this thing so I can have my arm back. 

Recently the motor skills issue has gotten so bad that I can't pick up the snacks Reagan drops on the floor with my left hand because the motion of pinching my index finger and thumb together to grab cheerios is very painful. I usually end up dropping 70% of them and having to pick them up all over..... its been a VERY humbling experience.Another frustrating thing has been loading and unloading the dishwasher. We have had several casualties, and I am guilty of three counts of bowl and cup slaughter. 

Whats the "Stitch" on treatment? Phase one of my treatment is a topical anti-inflammatory cream I have to rub on the affected tendons and joints twice a day. I massage it on, let it soak in for an hour and then thoroughly wash my hands. I also get to sport this giant brace that totally immobilizes my thumb 24-7, the only place I don't wear it is the shower, I liken it to an ugly looking cast. We will try this for 4 weeks and see if the inflammation goes down enough to restore regular use.If my wrist is not better in 4 weeks, then we move to phase two; steroid injections in the wrist and tendons to loosen and repair them. 3 rounds of shots a few weeks apart. They didn't want to jump into those right away because I am still nursing, but I see the shots happening in my very near future. Lastly, after the third round of shots, they will then schedule a surgery if the problem has not fixed itself. The surgery will include snipping the tendons around my thumb and in my inner wrist to free them from the swollen tissue pressing on the nerves.  


So far; two days in, and I don't see any change in the pain level. The brace is pretty inconvenient, and I have had a few shouting matches with it already. I am trying to be patient and just tell myself that the end justifies the means. I am thankful to have an attentive Doctor, with a PLAN! More updates to come :-)

The Young & The Wristless Part 2

Quick update on my wrist pain because I know there are a few other Mom's out there with similar issues. First, the pain is not gone and if anything its worse. I am breaking object and knocking things over on a regular basis because it seems my fine motor skills are pretty gone in the left hand. Just typing is hard so I do alot of things one handed.
Second, I went through our insurance provider, change my primary care physician, and got a second opinion. HALLELUJAH the new Dr. told me she I either have horrible carpal tunnel or really really bad tendinitis. She is pretty sure its carpal tunnel, and said it could even be both. But the happy part is (drum roll please.....) she referred me to an orthopedic hand specialist! They will conduct some nerve point tests to determine exactly where the pain is coming from and which parts of my wrist are affected. Then we will talk about treatment plans and pain management! Surgery being the most severe option, and steroid shots mixed with therapy on the lower end. Either way, I will have some sort of plan in place to get better and no more of this "ice it and take a tylenol" crap!
I am still breastfeeding which will limit some of my treatment options, but according to my new Dr. who is 6 months pregnant herself, it in no way means that I have to continue living with the pain and lack of motion I am dealing with right now. She couldn't believe I spent a good part of my pregnancy and these last 9 months just using a brace and tylenol. I was just thanking God that someone finally stopped to listen and help me!
I will update again after I see the specialist....... for now, I don't think I can type much more before my hand gives out on me for the night, so toodles ya'll!

Striving to be a Proverbs 31 Woman

Many of you know that just over a year ago my husband Joe got a strong call from the Lord to ministry, and more specifically to attend Seminary. Over the past year of our lives aside from moving to a new city, buying a home, welcoming our first child into the world, running the S-3 Shop at work, and now taking Command of his first Company; Joe has selflessly devoted the very wee hours of the morning and the very late owlish hours of the evenings to seminary work through ACU. Now in his third semester of classes, we are looking forward as we discern God's plan for us. Joe is currently working towards becoming a Deacon (the first step towards being ordained as a Priest). As Joe finds his niche in the church, and God's call on his life; I have found myself asking God "well where do I fit in all this?". "How do I find a balance between our child, my husband, and responsibilities at church?". "Will I be any good at this?". "How to I battle what the world says a 24 year old girl should be, and what God is calling me to be". 


The answer to most of these questions I found while doing my quiet time today. I set aside some "Mommy time" while Reagan was taking her morning nap to just dig into the bible. I re-read one of my favorite passages;


 Proverbs 31:10-31 


¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find? 
   She is worth far more than rubies. 
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her 
   and lacks nothing of value. 
¹² She brings him good, not harm, 
   all the days of her life. 
¹³ She selects wool and flax 
   and works with eager hands. 
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships, 
   bringing her food from afar. 
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night; 
   she provides food for her family 
   and portions for her female servants. 
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; 
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously; 
   her arms are strong for her tasks. 
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable, 
   and her lamp does not go out at night. 
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff 
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor 
   and extends her hands to the needy. 
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household; 
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 
²² She makes coverings for her bed; 
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate, 
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, 
   and supplies the merchants with sashes. 
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity; 
   she can laugh at the days to come. 
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom, 
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household 
   and does not eat the bread of idleness. 
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed; 
   her husband also, and he praises her: 
²⁹ “Many women do noble things, 
   but you surpass them all.” 
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; 
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done, 
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Now, one thing I love about the old testament is they use all kinds of fun symbolism! But, symbolic or not this is a chunk of good scripture, and no matter how many times I revisit it there is always more to bite off and digest. In this round of reading I took away a few things... 

1. I need to trust that God wants Joe and I as a team to dive into this ministry call together. Because we are a unit and a team. 

2. Although its still a work in progress... God cares very little about my outward appearance and much more about the workings of my heart. 

3. Much like I have been whipping my body back into shape.... my prayer life needs a good whipping too. So, today I started a prayer journal with a weekly list of people & things that need prayer. This way I have a list to reference daily and no-one gets left out. 

4. I love the idea of your children calling you "Blessed". I mean television is filled with shows where the kids are yelling at their parents, and where children think they are much smarter than their parents. So this verse is very counter to our culture, but it makes me want to be an even better Mom. I have to remember that as a Mother I am a reflection of God to my children. 

5. Finally, as a woman of God, my responsibility is not just to my husband and my children. It is to the body of Christ as a whole. It is to be a mirror image of God and a light to those around me. 

This is going to take some time. Just like I can't wish myself back into my high school cheerleading uniform, I can't just wake up and be a living breathing Jesus reflection in the flesh. I am going to have to work at this. As I watch my husband studying away in the wee hours, I need to be pulling out my bible and praying for him, for our niche in God's plan, for our friends and family, and for the strangers who I have yet to make my friends. I am armed with a cheerful heart, a passion and a love for people, a compassion for those who have been through really hard heart breaking times, and an intense love for God! I don't know what is ahead but I am excited and ready. Sometimes in our lives I think God gives us just enough light to see the step we are on and no further. That way we have to trust Him as we take each step forward, tricky smart that God of ours is! :-) 

For this evening this is Mrs Proverbs 31 in training-signing off 

PS. if you have a prayer request you would like me to add to my daily journal let me know... its all confidential, just me you and God! I would be honored to pray for you.