Bear with me folks….

I can’t believe it but I spent this morning at the orthopedic doctor’s office….and none of my boys had broken a bone (it is a bad thing when you have a personal relationship with your orthopedic Dr. because of your kids!).   This time I was there for ME.

I woke up a few days ago with pain shooting through my right wrist (it HAD to be the right one…). Like all good momma’s, I ignored it and went about my day.  That night I could not sleep for the pain.  I slathered it with my arnica salve.  In the middle of the night, I got up and dug out my old brace from when I had carpal tunnel.  I slathered my arm with my aches away salve and managed to drift off to sleep.  Yesterday I tried not to use it at all.  This morning it was slightly better but still very painful and I finally admitted that perhaps I had a problem beyond what my salves could take care of…I headed to the Dr.’s office.

I found out that I tore the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon in my RIGHT arm (why the RIGHT one?)…the bleeding is causing the swelling which causes more pain.  I wish I could tell you that this occurred during a “farm moment”…you know something grown up and serious….like….maybe it was  caused by an animal or from shoveling the manure out of the barn…pulling a calf or rescuing something bigger than me…yeah!  that’s the ticket!…..something mature and grown up….but, since Christ requires me to be honest, I must admit that this most likely occurred during a massive tickling event with my boys. (Hey!  Just because I turned 50 last year does NOT mean I can’t play with the boys does it?)

I declined the steroid injection…and the physical therapy….accepted the tortuous splint that immobilizes me from fingers to elbow and listened to the admonition that I must not take this off except when showering.  I explained to the Dr. (as if he didn’t know) that this would prevent me from using this hand (….I know….that is the whole point!) but what about the laundry, cleaning, cooking….I can’t even stir soup like this!

I also tolerated the rolled eyes, condescending tone of voice etc. when I mentioned that horrific and threatening (at least to the medical community) four letter word….HERB!  However, I know that my comfrey based arnica salve will facilitate the healing of this injury while relieving the majority of the pain.  And I have the satisfaction of knowing that it does not contain steroids, chemicals or petroleum products.  I would take my salve over his steroid offering any day!

And since I know that God promises me that “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes” Rom. 8:28…here is the upside….I don’t wash dishes for 2 weeks   The two older boys will be immediately advanced into some extra home-ec classes that will cover meal planning, cooking and clean-up while handwriting will center around filling their personal recipe boxes (another story!).  The youngest boy will be strengthening arm muscles and improving hand-eye coordination as he takes over folding the laundry.

Oh, and if anyone really gets out of line….there is this hard metal rod running down the length of this splint.

So for my readers who pray….I covet your prayers for a quick recovery and please bear with me as I try to continue to post using the hunt and peck method….and please….just ignore the typos