Day 37 post Thumb surgery recovery

Hi All! I just got home from the hospital! PIN IS OUT! Thank you God!  -- fingers are not moving the way I want. Surgeon was surprised with bruising, but not surprised about the swelling. He said everything else is great. I did hold my breathe when the surgical pliers came out trust me..they look the same as any other pliers! Chef watched as I did my Lamaze breathing that was used 26 years ago! Chef said it was like watching someone pull out nails from a baseboard haha! My physiotherapist kept me focused on breathing! Thank you Vanessa!

 

The titanium  pin is as long as those flowered quilting pins! LOL I told him I wanted to keep it!

My splint has been cut to expose my wrist for more movement but to immobilize the base of the thumb.

I have exercises now 4 times a day and massaging the tissues. I am sure it will help with my skin! Amazing how limited my motion is just 5 weeks out. I'm on the upswing now, or so physio says!

I have cold sensation waves that come and go through the whole hand. Like a flush...for a few seconds. No response to my mentioning it.

Still left-handed typing -- but I am hoping physio will help me get back to my normal! This one handed stuff is for the birds! I feel like I have to hunt and peck! I have been watching my videos on Craftsy and browsing anything quilty! most times it's Pinterest because I can just click on the photo's and get to the websites! My favorites have grown exponentially.

Tigger of course is keeping close tabs on me! He literally follows me everywhere. Chef wakes up in the morning and comes downstairs - Tigger still waits for me to get up before he moves!

Chef is feeding me nutritious meals and helping with literally everything! I'm still having trouble pulling up my pants on my own. He says he doesn't mind! Oh Boy! I'd better get a handle on that before I head back to work!

The Youngest  has some quilting news to share this weekend, so stay tuned!

Thanks to all of you for your encouraging emails! I couldn't have done this without my family and of course my quilting friends! I hope that my journey about my surgery gives you good information in the event you have to go through this. No regrets!

Happy Quilting everyone!

Margo

Surgery Update

Date of photo's for reference: Aug 10 - Four weeks ago was surgery .... this is 28 days later. Lots of swelling despite RICE. Nine more days before the pin comes out. Right hand sore from one finger typing on right hand :-( The scarring is not too bad! Much better than what I anticipated

Lois Creative Gypsy gave me some sound advice: "...mix you up a little Jojoba oil (1oz) with a few drops of lavender and gardenia essential oil multiple times a day and the scars are virtually invisible! " It's great to be able to compare notes as she is through this!

We'll give this a try! I have only been able to tolerate once a day , as I still have the pin in. Pin comes out next week, so I would imagine this will be much easier after that!

Keep quilting on! I'll be visiting your blogs to pass my recovery time!

Margo

Surgery update and project to come!

Next project....last time I sewed the pieces still in the machine from before surgery!..and design wall ready for The Youngest to come help put the blocks together!

Little Man came to help this past weekend and helped Grandpa make pizza for supper. He also went to fetch ice packs for me and said, "Don't worry Nana! You now have three hands! One you have and two of mine! See! Three!" How can anyone not adore this Little Man? Adorable!

Today, Aug 5 - back to hospital to remove the last of the stitches. Now instructions to massage the "S" incision and don't touch the pin. I am 22 days post surgery. Waiting to get the feeling back in my thumb and be able to move the fingers more. Lots more to go, but feeling quite positive it will come along in time. This one or two right finger typing sucks!

My change in splints was night and day! The old splint was resting on the incision site. X-rays were taken and I was re-examined by another surgeon on duty -- everything still in place. A new splint was made and I am going to have the pin in now for an additional day. Still no using left hand, REST - ICE - COMPRESSION (the splint) - ELEVATION.

 I'll update again when I have more energy! I miss touch typing and I remind myself daily that I will recover and be good as new!  Happy Quilting All! I'll be clicking and reading your blogs!

Margo