A short update for those who keep up with me here instead of Facebook:
Diagnosis: De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and Dupuytren’s disease, which runs heavily on both sides of my family. I have custom-made hard splints to wear at night and for times when I need extra support, and soft braces to wear at other times. Physical therapy a few times over the next few weeks, and then I’ll go back just before I go to Art & Soul to followup. Injection and surgery are Plan B and Plan C.
Carpal tunnel test was negative, as it was back in the 90s, which is good, but as the doctor said it makes it harder to figure out what is causing my pain. The Dupuytren’s is definite, but I think that the De Quervain’s tenosynovitis might be a bit of a shot in the dark. That’s cool, even if it is something else at least we are getting closer to it. I thought that it would be a complicated thing. Maybe I should call House.
I love the therapist so far, and feel lucky that I got one with 30 years of experience. These braces are very comfortable.
I feel optimistic, and that in itself is progress. These new braces and splints support my thumbs, which hasn’t been the case before. No one seems to be too concerned about the Dupuytren’s yet – I guess that we’ll need to focus on one thing at a time.
I’m headachy tonight but my plan is to try some bookbinding on Saturday and Sandy will help me set up downtown on Sunday for Shindig on the Square. I have photos to take and photos to post, but haven’t been able to do the computer processing necessary. Will do soon, though.
slowly she turned 