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 :-)