I had carpal tunnel surgery done on both hands on the 9th of last month. The first night was painful and I couldn't sleep at all. The surgeon and the anesthetist did not dare to give me any painkillers. I was put under general anesthetic and was given a local anesthetic in both hands. When the local anesthetic wore off, my palms felt as though they were on fire! But nothing can beat an anal surgery!
On the second day itself, all the carpal tunnel syndromes were gone. No more tingling, no more pain, no more numbness. I slept like a log with no carpal tunnel waking me up in the middle of the night. It had gotten so bad that my hands would 'disappear' whenever I drove.
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| Post surgery - Day 2 |
It was difficult during the first two weeks as the stitches could not be wet. Imagine, not being able to wash your hands for two weeks!!!!! But I did wrist exercises as much as I could everyday. The surgeon said that exercising the wrists is a must.
When the two weeks were up, I was ecstatic to get the stitches off as it meant that I could finally WASH MY HANDS!!!!!!
But it was a disappointment for the left hand as it wasn't fully sealed up!!!! Imagine seeing the wound come apart a little as the stitches came off.
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| Today |
Even though they look fine on the outside, the insides still hurt here and there. The surgeon said that it will take 4 to 6 months for it to fully heal as the nerves grow 1cm per month. The scars have to be massaged with a moisturizer a few times every day. The scars are still very sensitive. Whenever I go out, I cover them with band-aids. I still cannot use my hands in certain positions and carry heavy stuff. But I can see my hands improving everyday.
The trick to surviving this surgery is to have someone who will have to wait on you hand and foot. For the first 10 days, all I did was watch TV all day long. I think this is the first time in eons where I got to do NOTHING! I could feel the slave-driver-miss-clean-freak-everything-must-be-perfect in me trying to surface from my insides. But miss-rationale-use-your-brains-grab-this-break-as-it-will-NEVER-happen-again won!
Hubby did an excellent job in looking after me. Joel then took over the cooking and cleaning once hubby's leave was used up. I could shower, pee and change by then. Joel was amazing.
Here's to a great 2017!
Glad that all is well with you and Joel is indeed amazing to cook and clean at his age!
ReplyDeleteHi Yixi! Yes, he is! Truly amazing. So proud of him. How has your boy been? How about you?
DeleteMy boy seems to be able to tolerate food chemicals better. I still continue the weekly Epsom Salt footbath. And peel all fruits and vegetables thickly. And mindful of the amount of spices I use. Overall, he is doing well. For me, hmm, several health issues. Keeping my fingers crossed all the time.
DeleteGood to hear about your boy. I hope and pray that the both of you will grow stronger this year.
Deleteoh dear oh dear, that looks really really painful!!But glad that you managed to have a little 'break' for yourself, well done to your husband and joel!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Evelyn! Hope you feel better and soon and enjoy the CNY!!
Happy Chinese New Year Lily! How are you? When are you coming back for holidays?????????
DeleteWow, both hands at once. That's amazing. I had one done and that was hard enough to function. One really takes for granted the use of their hands until they no longer have them. I wish you a speedy and full recovery!
ReplyDeleteYes, I was so frustrated during the first month. Still am as I am as slow as a snail. Still unable to carry heavy things and also certain positions still hurt. But I am so glad that I am two months post surgery now.
DeleteThank you Evelyn :)
ReplyDeleteAlso praying you will get stronger this Rooster year!