Well I thought I write a
short piece about how I am coping after a small operation on my wrist. I have
suffered with symptoms of carpal tunnel for about 5 years. Carpal tunnel is a
syndrome due to the compression of the median nerve as it travels through the
wrist at the carpal tunnel. The main symptoms are pain, numbness and tingling
in the middle finger and the thumb. This is a common condition and the major
causes are trauma, overuse and pregnancy!! WTF I am defiantly not pregnant. I
have been suffering with pain/buzzing sensations that have kept me awake at
night for years and since my spinal injury this wheeling around everywhere has
totally exacerbated the symptoms and at times brought me to tears as it’s so
painful but also so debilitating.
Since my para status I have
had pain in my right wrist and my left, but the right hand has been so much
worse, to the point that I drop things, when am holding the phone or pen at
work I find it so uncomfortable. Well I was initially referred to the CATS team
for physio. I saw a great physio and we discussed exercises, which I did and it
didn’t really help much, then we discussed having cortisone injections. Well
over the last 18 months I have had 4 cortisone injections into my wrist, these
injections are given directly into area to help reduce the swelling of the
nerve. Symptoms from nerves generally take longer to respond and it would
normally take about a week for it to work. They have all worked really well and
once the symptoms have gone it feel’s great. But this was only masking the
condition and the injection only ever lasted about 12 weeks ish and then the
symptoms came back!! After 4 injections the doctors were reluctant to do
anymore.
I was then referred to a
consultant Mr Amirfeyz, he has been really helpful and discussed all the
advantages and disadvantages, to be honest the advantages long term out way the
short term discomfort. So through my work I have private medical insurance so
we booked a date to go in for the surgery. As you can imagine the surgeon says
it’s a 10 minuet operation and you can go home the same day!! Well that was
when I started to get some concerns as to how I would manage. In trying to be
as organised as I could I set about trying to make my life as easy as possible.
I obviously called on my contacts from my District Nursing team where I use to
be team leader, so I was able to order a hospital bed to be delivered for uses
downstairs as I knew I wouldn’t be able to transfer very well, let alone get up
2 floors in a town house.
So as it’s been nearly 9
months since I started my extension and building work, I still don’t have a
downstairs wet room in, the tiles and floor has been done, just waiting for the
Plummer to fit the suit now. So sleeping down stairs is a good idea from a
transferring point of view but not great from a showering and bathroom point of
view. Well I am as ready as I will ever be; I asked the consultant if I could
stay in hospital for a rest and recuperation post op, he said go home!! You get
less infection risk!! Hahah has he seen my house??? Well I got my date and my
right wrist carpal tunnel release was planned for October 8th. I
booked 2 weeks off work to recover and it falls well with my holiday also as am
off to Cape Verdi for a bit of sunbathing. Hopefully after my recovery and
holiday I will be like a new person!!
Well on the morning of the 8th
I went into the Spire hospital in Bristol, I was first on the afternoon list
and when I got in I was met by a great team of staff each wanted to do their
job, assess, admit etc.… Mr Amirfeyz came in and I transferred into the bed and
he gave me a nerve block into in right hand.. let’s just say ouch that was not
comfortable, well after a good hour I had no feeling at all in my hand, this
was due to the aesthetic and as I was having the procedure under a local
anaesthetic and not a general once I had no feeling I knew it wouldn’t be long till I went down. It’s strange being a patient
when you’re a nurse as you look at things differently; I was wheeled on my bed
into theatre and then transferred onto the operating table, which apparently is
heated!! The staff said you’ll feel comfortable and warm; well it always makes
me laugh as I can’t actually feel quite a lot.
Once the procedure was
started I couldn’t feel pain, but odd sensations, I could hear the diathermy
burning and smell scorching flesh!!
Reminds me of my nurse training days, I actually watched a carpal tunnel
op in the days of Frenchay hospital. Well the consultant talked to me all the
way through telling me what he was doing and true to his word he took less than
10 minutes!! More like 5 minutes.. And having no feeling in my hand I had no
pain either. I had a cortisone injection into my left wrist to help with the
symptoms and this was numb as well. Back
to the ward I went. I had a sandwich and a cuppa tea on tray with a tea pot and
cup and saucer, this is the difference between private and NHS and then I saw a
physio who gave me a sheet of paper with exercises on and an appointment for 2
weeks’ time in hand clinic, I saw the pharmacy who brought me loads of pain
killers!! I wonder if they know something I don’t for once the nerve block
wears off??? . Then I was free to go home. Think I was in there a total of 4
hours!
Well it was only when I
tried to get off the bed back into my wheel chair I think then I suddenly
realised how hard this was going to be. I managed to flop in to the chair with
my PA Janes help and get to the toilet. Once in the loo I had my ISC catheters,
and one hand to remove my trousers and use the catheter!! Well let’s just say
it took ages... Good job I’ve got 2 weeks off work as it takes that long in the
bathroom….. Getting into the passenger seat in the car was entertaining too. I
had to use my slide board and like pull in with one arm, the whole thing was
extremely difficult. I had realised how hard this would be for me as I have
become so independent asking for help is hard. I even hate being pushed in my
wheelchair, but needed help as pushing with one hand makes you go round in
circles!!. I can’t really do the method of using one hand on both wheels as can’t
reach over me with left hand to comfortably get grip on my right wheel. So I
will have to have some help.
So with both hands with no
feeling and both numb made being an independent para impossible, I was so glad
I had ordered a bed for downstairs as the transferring was not easy at all, I
went to bed early taking only paracetamol as I didn’t want to bung myself up
with codeine.. As managing my bladder and bowels is always my worst fear. Well
once the nerve block wore off then the pain was quite bad, if I didn’t move my
hand or knock it, it was fine. I suddenly was finding my bladder playing up and
started being wet, by waking up in a puddle and not being able to shower or move
it was getting quite hard to manage, I carried on trying to manage for a couple
of days but the bladder obviously has been upset by the ?? Anaesthetic, or
something as so sensitive and can’t transfer to the loo, I have been using
catheters kits with a bag attached to minimise the need to transfer, but it was
still proving too much.
I made a decision to put a
indwelling catheter in. I have passed lots of catheters over my time, but not
with one hand and while not being able to move my legs!! Well my skills are
still pretty good and I managed with not too much difficulty. At first I just went free drainage and drank
loads to flush out traumatic insertion it wasn’t but flushing out is good. I
used a flip flow and night bag while in bed. Straight away this made things
easier so I can now concentrate on recovering and resting. Without being wet
and having to keep changing, washing and transferring. To be honest I should
have put one in straight away, but I was trying to put off needing one. Just to
make things easier, well doing bowel care with a left hand is more difficult
than it seems.
Getting dressed with one
hand, trying to wash and change all the small things I take for granted now, it
makes me think how hard it must be for individuals who are tetra-pelagic. Well
now each day post op things are getting easier, I haven’t left the house all
week, I haven’t brushed my hair, as Stella’s been doing it for me. By Friday I
am managing a bit better, getting use to using my left hand and right arm
instead of my hand and making a fist to transfer. I went out with my daughter
Stella and sister Vicky and niece Jasmine to St Brendon’s college open day on
Saturday, This was the first time left the house, Vicky drove my car and we
managed to slide me in!! I did struggle a bit trying to push myself around as
my daughter does find it hard in public to push me if needed. Had to take some
extra paracetamol after today and I had an early night as was pretty shattered
again.
It’s quite difficult and I can’t
drive yet, I think after the weekend I may find that I will be able to do a bit
more, I am doing the hand exercises that the physio gave me. I have removed the pressure dressing of my
wrist now as I was told to do and I will be having the stiches out in another 7
days, I will continue to write a blog of how my week goes and let you know when
I have BWO!!!! Hahaha
Over the last few days I
have been able to manage a little better, now I have actually stopped wheeling
in a circle as can actually gently push myself now using my right hand. I still
can’t put weight on it very well but it is improving and I can now manage a
transfer on to the loo.. #goals!!!!! I am well chuffed. I am actually doing as
I am told, using my fingers and doing my hand exercises, but I remember the consultant
saying the pain could last up to 3 months, I hope this isn’t the case as I am
really missing my activities like swimming, the gym and riding. I really want
to step it all up and push myself more.
Yayyyy 7 days post op and I
managed to transfer myself out of bed this morning into my wheelchair, not
gracefully let me add.. But I did it. I am using this quiet time to catch up
with all my admin, which actually takes over my life at times. I really like
doing my blog as I’ve said before I can be like therapy, looking back how far I
have come, not only me but my children, family and friends.
The week is going so fast
and I can’t believe it’s nearly 2 weeks since the op. I am now well and truly
rested up. I don’t think I’ve spent so long in the house being quiet, resting,
reading pottering in the last 3 years. Well I can now transfer independently
and have managed to go upstairs on my own for a shower, I have decided to leave
my indwelling catheter in as I am due to go on holiday soon, and I always have
to put a catheter in for the holiday and flight. As long haul flights I am
confined to the seat for a few hours, I will also wear flight socks and a leg
bag so I can drink plenty of fluids as not to get dehydrated. But the catheter
can sometimes be quite easy when you are away.
I am well into the second
week post op now and things are getting so much better, I have been to see the
consultant for my post op follow up. I had the stiches removed and the wound is
dry and healing well, just need to get some Bio oil apparently this will help
the scar and heal the wound by moisturising it. So I have been signed off as
the team are really pleased with the progress, I am still wearing a hand
bandage so the wound is not exposed as when I push my wheelchair it feels
dirty. I need to keep it clean and infection free. Well I am now happier that I
can go on holiday and not worry about my hand, also the horrible symptoms that
I had for so long have gone now.
I waited a full 2 weeks
before I drove the car and only went a short distance, it was difficult getting
into the car as I couldn’t push on my right hand but I used the steering wheel
to pull myself up into the car, and I use my right hand on the break so I just
tried to make sure I was steady and didn’t apply the break to hard, it seemed
to go well. Which I am glad as I will be driving to Gatwick in a couple of
days!! That’s about 3 hours away. As the days went by things have been gradually
improving. Which is great as I am looking forward to a holiday to Cape Verde to
celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday?
As the weeks go by post
operation the wound is healing well and I am becoming more independent. I have
the hand/wound uncovered now and 2 weeks in the sunshine did wonders for my
recovery. Now back home and it’s sort of hit the ground running, washing, loads
of it!! back to work and driving. I am now getting a bit of pain in my hand and
wrist and especially over the new skin on the wound it is very tender.
I find putting my weight on
it hard for transferring and it’s defiantly lost a lot of power, it’s very
weak. I think now at 6 weeks post op things have got easier but I am still
cautious about looking after it. I have enjoyed this small journey explaining how
such a small operation can affect my independence so much. I have to go back to
see the consultant in December and he is thinking of doing my other hand!! If I’m
honest not sure I want it done this soon, but it’s good to get it over and done
with its causing me concerns as I want to get back in the saddle as soon as I can
but obviously I have to listen to the advice from the medical team as my hands
are so important to me. Well onwards and upwards now!!
This para lark is hard going
at times!!!!!
