Remember this?
Well, it’s back. About two weeks ago, my right thumb started hurting at its base near the PIP joint (just like last time). Soreness, stiffness and a small amount of swelling ensued. In shameless admittance of denial, I ignored it while secretly hoping it was my imagination. At the start of this week, it started getting worse and more painful so I caved and called the doctor.
Unfortunately, the first available appointment isn’t until April 4. I don’t even want to imagine what my thumb will be like by then. Each day, it gets more tender and swells a bit more. The range of motion is shrinking and my ability to grip things is also getting harder.
The pain is annoying, but tolerable. The biggest issue is the inconvenience. Today and tomorrow, I’m at the opening retreat for my Connect class, and we’re doing a ropes course. I’m not about to sit this one out, so I’m hoping my thumb/joint will get me through the day because if I don’t get to go all Indiana Jones on a zip line, I will be upset.
I do fear, however, that surgery is in my future. From talking with friends and doing online research, steroid shots are a temporary fix. If they don’t last long term, surgery is the permanent solution. The last steroid lasted from November till now, roughly five months. So if I have two more before looking at a scalpel, I have at least until after my bike ride and after Paris. Fingers crossed, no pun intended. OK, maybe pun intended. 😉
My daughter gives a thumb’s up (no pun intended!) to your black nail polish! =)
The surgery is actually very easy – I have had 4 of them. The stitches were what was a pain (although not literally painful!). Good luck with that.