Something Must Be Done

The end of August is almost here. I usually want time to slow down, but not so this week. My appointment with the hand specialist is on the 2nd of September and I can't wait. My wrist has recently reached the point where something must be done.

When my wrist was only hurting and swollen, I wasn't in any hurry to have surgery. The Avascular Necrosis of the Lunate and Scaphoid has now progressed, and not in a good way. I don't know if the dead bones have moved or crumbled, but I have new symptoms.

For about a week my thumb started to go numb for most of the day and night. A few days ago my thumb and three fingers were numb. That included most of my hand and that entire part of my hand was throbbing.

The burning and throbbing of numbness was a lot more painful than I would have thought. I've never had such a big area of numbness that just doesn't go away with wiggling or moving the hand. When I squeeze my fingers, wiggle them, and move them around, the numbness doesn't improve. Ice packs around the wrist can calm the pain down for a little while. I also am using a tens unit on my neck to change the pain signal.

Because my neck disks are bad, I have anterolisthesis C4 and C5 and cervical spondylosis. Spondylosis brings on cartilage breakdown, bone spurs, and disc degeneration. Numbness is the result because the pressure on nerves leads to numbness, tingling, and pain.

When the numbness is at it's worst, I can't use my right hand for anything. So, this condition is preventing me from doing much of anything.

I'm so glad that I'll see the hand surgeon soon, because I really need her help. I don't want hand surgery, but if these bones can be removed it should take away the inflammation in my wrist. The nerves and blood flow should improve, I hope.

The pain in my neck and cervical damage is probably why I have this very large hump on the back of my neck. It's so ugly and embarrassing. I try my best to cover it, but you can tell that my shirt has something big underneath.

I would love to get the fat pad removed, but I don't know if insurance will cover that surgery. Maybe because the deformity is causing severe pain and inability to move my head properly, there could be an exception.

I hate to think that I'm wanting surgery. Surgery is horrible. There are always risks that are very serious. Because I'm older and in poor health, the risks are higher. Pain after surgery is awful and healing is hard. Not being able to use your dominant hand for a long time is very inconvenient.

But, sometimes we come to the place that we're really wanting to go ahead with surgery. I hope and pray that my doctor will be excellent. Having Avascular Necrosis in both the Lunate and Scaphoid at the same time is very uncommon.

Having surgery in that place could fail and then the wrist would have to be fused. There are many worries, but there is a need to do all that can be done to improve the pain that I'm experiencing.

The surgery bill for my ankle is almost paid. My September payment will be the last. I will soon get the bill for my hospital visit a few weeks ago. I know that the hospital portion is over $50,000. I know that my insurance works with this hospital, so they will take less.

The doctors and radiologists bills are separate and I saw quite a few doctors. The ER bill is also pretty bad. I'm thankful that the final bill hasn't come yet. I'm counting on the insurance to lower these amounts.

We'll need to set up a payment plan with the hospital if the bill is very big. I hope we can pay a lot of it off before I have wrist surgery. Why is my body falling apart?

“For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

My physical body is in rough shape, but my spiritual condition is wonderful. I know that whatever happens to me, I'll have a home in heaven and a new body. There won't be anymore pain or suffering there.

@2025, copyright Lisa Ehrman

Disclaimer: I'm not a medical expert. This post contains my experiences and opinions and is not meant to be taken as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please consult your personal physician.