January 2, 2011
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More personal stuff
Well, tomorrow I go in for Carpal tunnel and ulnar nerve decompression surgery (That's hand and elbow slicing for those of you without a med dictionary) I have plenty of symptoms of Carpal tunnel - have had ever since the knee surgeries- but I don't know about the elbow surgery - I have had no symptoms of that which I can detect - I'll ask the surgeon (Talk about waiting until the last moment! But have you ever tried to contact an MD during the holidays?)
I think the Carpal tunnel is the result of my having to push myself up out of chairs as I am re-strengthening my new knees. I just got a easy-lift chair as I certainly won't be able to get out of a recliner without help - at least until my hand heals. The whole procedure is a day-long out-patient thing. I'll keep you posted if anyone is interested.
Comments (8)
yes please keep us posted. take care of yourself, and work hard at the physical therapy....it will help.
Take care and good luck you have had alot of surgery lately let me know how you are doing!
Yes, please let us know how it went! Good luck and sending good thoughts your way.
I wish you a quick recovery and really hope you will not be hampered from blogging. Let us know how it went...You are a most valued Xangan.
Bummer about the additional surgeries. I hope they go well and you can be done with all this stuff.
good luck
After a long time without any hospital experience, I seem to be catching up. Four months ago I had both knees replaced - apparently with less hassle than most of us old guys - I was out of the rehab hospital in ten days - less than usual, I've found.
Yesterday I had outpatient surgery- Carpal tunnel release neurosurgery - they cut the ligament covering the nerve in your wrist; and Ulnar nerve transposition surgery - they move the "funny-bone" nerve in your elbow.
The ops take about an hour and you have to go through the whole hospital rigamarole - general anesthetic, lots of nurses, etc. I suppose neurosurgeons have to be extra careful.
The procedure takes all day, but the short of it was that yesterday evening, I drove us out to dinner to celebrate. There is some discomfort, but I can use my hand - to type this, for example, and just have a couple of large band-aids to show for several thousand dollars (thank you medicare) worth of surgery. I have no strength in my hand or arm and must avoid picking up anything heavier than a glass of water - not a problem as I couldn't lift it anyhow.
Thanks for all the kind thoughts.
PS it was my left hand and arm - unfortunately, I'm left-handed
Just wanted to see how you are doing? Hope everything is well.