Being surprised? I don’t like it at all, especially if it disrupt the regular course of my life.
Six months ago, I woke up with locked fingers on the right hand and no pain. What the heck is this I thought with stupor? I wanted to take a hammer a beat it to get it open, but I did not. I massaged it instead until the finger warmed up and opened. I didn’t think anything was wrong and went on doing the usual. The next day, I woke up and there it was, a locked finger again and for the next three days it happened every morning. Irritated enough I visited a doctor. The diagnose was Dupuytren’s Contracture, a shortened of a tendon that commonly happens in men from the North of Europe. What does it have to do with me? I am a female and from the southern Europe. It wasn’t it. Apparently, computer work, a load of hours on the computer can trigger this ergonomic problem and I am culpable of that, I admit it.
I refused any medication and decided to go with natural medicine. Six months later, many essential oils applications, a new Contour roller mouse at a whopping $265 that I can use with both hands, acupuncture, hand therapy, a costly splinter, and a lot of natural remedy, I am still at the starting point. The finger hurts like hell, the splinter is in the way (of course, the idea is to prevent the hand from closing and grab something) and my life seem to have taken a sabbatical. I put on slow motion writing blogs and other things I do. Cutting with a knife is difficult, my cooking has been affected.
I drive a stick shift car, thus driving has become challenging. At a young age, I learned to do my manicure and pedicure, which I used to do in about an hour for both, now with this ergonomic problem I enjoy the tears more than the manicure itself. Drawing for my work, knitting and sewing is totally out of the question. My garden….is growing, but in the wrong direction. It’s so hard to believe one finger can cause all of this and it is so uncharacteristic of me to write about it.
(Click on each photo to view it larger).
In Europe when someone is incapacitated, even temporarily, there are all kinds of home services one can draw from, such as hairdresser, manicure-pedicure, doctors, nurses, cooks, tailors, even a daily grocery arrives at home with only a phone call. They are convenient home services that alleviate small and large problems. In America if life happens we are on our own.
Life sometimes plays tricks on us when we are the least prepared. Just six months ago I was like a train going at a 1000 mile per hour. Now, I have to be thankful for all the activities I can do even in slow motion.
However, it is not the end. I am stubborn and pain resistant.
While I am repairing my finger, I am editing my studio and my house heavily, something I have wanted to do for a long time. Getting rid of things no longer needed is important to breath, feel free and allow a new energy in my spaces.
My clothes are a hard to eliminate. I have unique and original clothes, it’s very difficult to get rid of them, of well… they will go under a heavy chop as well.
By the time this blog is published I will be on the plane going to far away lands.
I will be roaming on cobble stones again.
I will eat spectacular seafood dishes every day.
I can smell the sea from here.
Tasting food is my primary goal during my trips, I will meet nice people in beautiful panoramas and will discover new things. I will stay away from emails, social sites, no blog, no phone calls, no computer, only me, my camera and occasional travel notes. Forgetting the world will be one way to forget my painful finger.
“Loving myself is my magical wand” ~ Louise Hay.
Life happens…..the only way to cope is to deal with it. Ciao,
Valentina
https://valentinaexpressions.com/trips-to-puglia-2/
Copyright © 2018 Valentina Cirasola, All Rights Reserved
As a writer and cultural promoter of Puglia, her native land, Valentina’s intention is to let readers feel and experience a new ”wheel of emotions”. She wants to encourage them to visit areas of Italy not beaten by massive tourism. Through stories of local customs, art, architecture, fashion, food-wines, shopping, she wants them to create their special adventures and live it up in Puglia! Check out her books on
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May 09, 2018 @ 20:35:14
I can totally relate to what you are going through Valentina as I have problems with my hands. I hope that you can find a cure that works for you my friend. Ralph ❤
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May 09, 2018 @ 20:48:36
I hope so too, Ralph, otherwise, I will beat to submission.😀 I am joking, it has beat me to submission already. 😀I hope your hands get better too.Thanks for your support.
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May 09, 2018 @ 16:24:17
Ouch! Valentina, I’m so sorry. The pain and the frustration. And yes, all the things we love to do that require us to use our hands in “repetitive motions.” I developed carpal tunnel (hurting my hands, arms and elbows) from all my years typing on the computer. And yes, all my hobbies required hand work.
When I fell and broke my right wrist (I’m right handed) I was alone and felt helpless. I held jars, wine bottles, whatever between my feet so I could open them with one hand — for months.
Oddly, that gave my tendons a good rest, and the carpal tunnel didn’t bother me for a long time. Of course the same cause has brought it back some…
What I’m trying to say, is this is a great time for your vacation. I hope the “rest” to your hand of being away from what you normally do will give it a good healing rest. Enjoy your holiday. Safe journeys and hugs!
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May 09, 2018 @ 20:45:41
Gee whiz, Teagan. who knew one finger can cause such a stressful life. I am learning to use my left hand, it’s like learning to write all over again and if mindlessly I use my right hand, I receive a jolt in my brain, a great reminder to stay put. Thanks for your support. 😀Hugs, 🤗
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