Thursday, January 29, 2009

My diagnosis correct… Physician's plan in place.

Well Wednesday I had my appointment at the TRIA Orthopedic Center with Dr. Jeffrey Husband.

He is a doctor who “knows his stuff”.

I had diagnosed my condition correctly, (and that makes me feel good and smart, as well) and he was able to treat it properly, as only a Dr. can do.

He gave me an injection of  Lidocaine & Cortisone, and fitted me with a removable wrist/thumb brace.  The injection was quite painful, and I said to the resident who was in the room, Is it nighttime?, because I’m seeing stars”.

Here is a photo of the sporty brace I get to wear.Picture 10

As to the cause of the injury, more was learned on that front too!  The condition is also known as “Mother’s Wrist”.

An injury can occur when, say… lifting a toddler or diapering .

Most of you know that “our toddler” is 22 and weighs 110#.

Additionally, during the window of time when I noticed the onset of the problem, I had installed 6 new windows and one new Atrium door. They all weigh far more than Jessica, and those projects are likely the culprits!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

“Physician, Heal Thyself”

As many of you may know, I have been troubled by an extremely painful left wrist. Tomorrow I have an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Husband, at TRIA Orthopedic Clinic. He is a specialist in the areas of wrists.

Today I thought I would do some further research into the condition, that “I believe” I have… that being; “de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.”

It was first diagnosed by the Swiss doctor, Fritz de Quervain, in 1895.

Here is Wikipedia’s definition: de Quervain syndrome (also known as washerwoman's sprain, Radial styloid tenosynovitis, de Quervain disease, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, de Quervain's stenosing tenosynovitis or mother's wrist), is an inflammation or a tendinosis of the sheath or tunnel that surrounds two tendons that control movement of the thumb. [1]

While I am a “washerman”… (a.k.a. to Sandra as the… “laundry guy”). Most of what I do is push the start button on the Maytag!

It wasn’t until today, when assembling the billing for a project for one of my customers, that I put… two and two together!

The condition began to present itself in late November. While looking at the calendar and the tasks I had been doing on a job-site for billing purposes, did I realize what 190px-Finkelstein%27s_testmay have caused the sprain.

I had been laying a new tile floor in a bathroom.

i.e. mixing & troweling out thin-set, and wringing-out sponges for the grouting process etc.

I will wait however, for the “real” Doctor’s diagnosis tomorrow, and his treatment plan!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Arctic Cold Hits Camelot

Today we awoke to –20 degrees in Bloomington, MN.

JJ is home today, as the day program called and didn’t want to try to drive the roads in sub-zero temps, as it would not be good for their passengers if there was a problem in the drive.

I think it was a “good call” on their part.

When I took these photos, it had begun to “warm”. I think it was only –16 on the thermometer!

The photo of the thermostat shows the house at 65 degrees actual temp, though the stat was set for 68.

The furnace can’t keep up with the call for heat!

We are very thankful for a warm place, regardless.

65 degrees is a whole lot better than being out in the “cold”!!!

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Tuesday, January 06, 2009

The Babies are packed, they’re ready to go, I’m standing here outside our door…

Nathanael & Sarah and the babies rolled out at 10:00am this morning.

The house is hauntingly quiet already. We will miss them much!

Please pray for safe travel and good health on their return trip to FL.

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