They Come In Handy

Hands. What would we do without them? I think I might have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Over a year ago we spent some time helping a friend clean up her property in the hope that she would have her horses, and her livelihood, returned. (It never happened.) That afternoon in early November of 2013, I picked up a grass and leaf rake and took to the yard. I raked leaves for about four hours and went home with sore arms and aching thumbs. My arms recovered, but my thumbs have not been the same since.

It wasn't until this Monday afternoon, while I was outside snapping a few photographs while waiting for Rachel, that the pain in my hand became unbearable. Although my thumbs have been popping down along the sides of my hands, it was my right index finger (my camera trigger finger) that was shooting pain. I felt like I desperately wanted to crack the knuckle between my finger and hand, but knew better than to try.

Yesterday morning I left early for Prayer and Bible study and picked up a wrist brace on the way. two actually, one for daytime and one to wear at night so I don't curl my hands up when I sleep. This morning My Darling brought me one he had purchased for his left hand. (I look crippled...) I really don't want to face the possibility of surgery so I am going to try and take it easy for a while and I'm going to find out how to be more careful with my hands. I'm going to need them for a while longer. How would I ever crochet, or paint, or make pies, or build snowmen?

More photos from that walk in the park last Friday. They're too fun not to share.

On second thought, maybe I have this, Mommy's Thumb.  Not sure what's up with the index finger...