The right hand- 9 months in CRPS 24/7 pain, for months in a 6-9 pain range on scale of 10, then after months of physical therapy and a remarkable trip to the Calmar Chronic Pain Clinic in Rhode Island I am now in a 2-3 range, but with a very inflexible and disfigured hand with a weighty heavy stiffness, a totally frozen pinky finger, a nearly fused thumb, deep penetrating pain in the bones of the hand that seems to be in a perpetually alternating extremely hot and sweaty to ice cold and frozen, bearing a nerve disorder, losing flexibility though continual stretching, physical therapy, attempts to regain additional flexibility rather slide into less and less use. Without losing hope it often seems like a losing battle. Thankful for what use I do have with it and committed to keep what I have and gain.
A left hand that has gained a very prominent position, one of vast importance in my life, one that was only an able assistant for 66 years to the right hand— now carrying a heavy load of learning to be the major functioning agent in the daily functions of hand use. Having to carry the load, to not only do its job but to compensate as much as possible for its partner’s loss of use. One that now feeds me, shaves me, brushes my teeth, tries to zip pants, button shirts, turn on the ignition keys, turn door knobs, opens doors, pulls on socks and pants, etc. Thankful for that left hand!!
Feet that move, that carry me through the day. A left foot that is somewhat normal, a right foot that has the lingering affects of that same disease of the right hand, CRPS from surgery 14 years ago that was never diagnosed at that time. Alternating hot and cold same as the hand. Also the inflexibility and stiffness of toes and movement of joints of the foot but all the while moving me where I want to go. Thankful for feet that carry me through the daily routines and all of the places I go.
Some days it is a battle to escape from discouragement, to not let it drag me down, to stay on top of it but I am intent, in the long run, to Taking the Up Elevator.
takingtheupelevator 