I need to apologize to my readers but, yet again, I have had another surgery and have been set back. This time, it was right elbow surgery. I feel like Job in the Old Testament when his health was challenged.
I had a shredded tendon in that elbow that I decided to just have fixed instead of going through the time and money to have shots and therapy when the majority end up having surgery anyhow. I know that I have disc degenerative disease but my son seems to think that I might have muscle issues as well. My thoughts are that I should have that checked into as well.
We all go through things in our lives that we do not understand. Some may have issues of health, family struggles, mental challenges, or anything. No one is immune to living. We don’t like any struggle and we want everything to be perfect, but if everything was perfect we would not be seeking out our Lord for His help.
Paul in the New Testament struggled with some “thorn” in his side, but the Lord told him when he asked for that to be removed that this was sufficient for him. We may not understand the intent of what is expected for us, but Paul kept on and so we shall keep going.
Every challenge I have had has been different in dealing with it. I have learned over time that as I trudge on through, my experiences have helped me deal with how to heal and prayerfully to help others through their issues as well.
So on that note, for anyone who is having elbow surgery, here are a few helpful hints to help you in preparing and after your surgery. Before your surgery, it would be helpful to start training the opposite arm and hand that you will have to use because the arm affected will be off-limits.
I am right handed and as I worked with my left hand to do everything after surgery, my whole left arm, wrist, and hand has been very sore. It is now strengthened and I am getting quite good at using my left hand, however, I wish I had worked with it earlier than before my surgery because then I wouldn’t have had two sore arms.
Another thing to consider, is the idea that you will not be able to hold some thing in your hand to open a lid with the other. My husband has been an angel helping me with these things, but he’s not in the house with me 100% of the time to help.
Luckily, I had on hand a grippy cloth. It is maybe a foot long by maybe 8 inches. I am able to put it on my counter and fold it over the edge where I can place a jar or drink against my hip and onto that grippy on the edge enough to where I can open any item with a screw on lid.
I am a woman with just a bit of extra stomach weight and I find it had been difficult pulling up my underwear and pants. When my husband is in the house, of course he can help aid me in this issue. But, when he is out in the yard or shed, I have to manage by myself.
I was in that difficult position one day and was getting pretty frustrated when I saw my hairbrush and then my back scratcher on the counter. I had a harebrained thought to use those lengthy items to maneuver to the side I couldn’t get up and raise my britches. It worked! You see, I am not a very tall person and I was blessed with pretty short arms compared to others.
Yes, I am going to go there when I talk about wiping, and I think you know what I mean. You have your own personal way of wiping, but I don’t have any helpful hints for that except for good luck. I can tell you that the shower is a wonderful place to go for help though!
Putting on socks and shoes has not been too difficult for me. It has been fairly warm weather and I am able to slip on sandals and not tennis shoes. But, for those of you who have to wear warmer shoes for winter, I would suggest purchasing some sort of shoe that you can just slip into and not tie shoe strings.
The first week or two after your surgery, it will be difficult finding a comfortable position to sleep. I found it quite helpful to sit on our reclining sofa with pillows to my left and right.
My doctor practices doing a block before his surgeries. That first week after surgery, the arm was numb and felt like I was touching someone else’s hands and arms. It was a very weird feeling kind of like my last shoulder surgery, but for some reason the tingling in my fingers is still there.
My right pinky was suddenly hurting so bad I cried. Keep in mind that some of these things are normal because to keep your arm secure during surgery, they have to secure your hand and arm to something to keep it straight. That being said, do not be afraid to contact your doctor if you are feeling something you are not sure of.
I hope that you find this useful and I have giving you ideas to help you if you are having to have surgery. Keep in mind that The Good Lord has you and He says in Psalms that “as you go through the valleys” that He is with you. The valley of surgery can be painful and disheartening, but He’s got you!
