Just a cut that ended up being deeper than i thought. My other hand has no movement and nothing useful in my arm. I burned a finger last month and had to buy new pants, because i couldn’t put the ones i had on without the finger that was burned. I found out the hard way that loose skirts get tangled in my cane. Lol Now i just cut a different finger and discovered i need that one for all sorts of tasks, too. Most days I’m really positive and keep moving forward. … but it really is hard coping with losing the use of a hand in general, and I’m feeling really sorry about the consequences of hurting my good one again.
I am strong and athletic and more capable than most in recovery. Many things are going well. The reality is that my left hand is not likely to wake up and this sucks.
I would love to read stories from others that are struggling through this.
The teaching is starting to finally come aroun as my endurance has improved dramatically! I’ve been able to do almost 3hrs 3 or 4 days per week and start to make a little money! The walking is going well, still with a cane on public spaces and still need a scooter for shopping, but it is easy to see how that will be better next year.
I have some movement in my shoulder, back and elbow. Nothing useful yet and very spastic, but it’s happening now that the inflammation in my shoulder is under control. Not even a twitch from the wrist forward, though. I am not giving up hope but understand that it is going to take a long time if it is going to happen. I find it frustrating to search hand issues on this forum.Because most of the suggestions about what to do with your hand seemed to be based on having something to do in the first place. I think that I am pretty aware of most. If not all the techniques out there that I can use, but it is very discouraging at times that most of the doctors and therapists do not expect my hand to return. Although they are careful to say that it is not impossible and I am really good at making the impossible happen. Which is why my attitude is great, most days.
My son is able to help me with things around the house, which is fantastic, and most of it is Chores that are appropriate for his age anyway. I think the two things that really upset me about my hand today is that I had a bad time with my pants going to the bathroom and I couldn’t lift myself up off the step with the railing like I normally do. I realize there are workarounds to all of that, but it contributes to a sense of embarrassment and vulnerability. I had problems with the bandages in the shower and was not able to use the normal skin care routine as a result, and that is also annoying at best.
I know I will adjust and get over it. Thank you so much, simon for your perspective. I have overuse problems in my good side too. Both my shoulder and my hand.
You know, it really just helps to talk with people that understand.
With stroke recovery, that’s the only attitude that will cut it, Heather. “not a twitch from the wrist forward” are you saying you can move nothing more distal than your wrist? So not a twitch in a finger? I won’t be helpful here, as I had my whole arm remapped and went from not being able to twitch anything on my affected side to being able to move in 3 weeks ; but, I had no strength in my affected side, as it withered away. Building muscles was a full time job for 2 years.
I could say “it could have been worse” and @Apple can attest to that when she broke her wrist. But that doesn’t make your predicament any easier and injured fingers can be such a pain even when you’ve got two good hands. Just keeping dressings clean and dry must be hard as you can’t “just pop a rubber glove on” I have non stroke hand issues which frustrate the heck out me at times but that’s just part of old I have to get used to
Here’s a little facebook clip my hubby just sent me. Just goes to show how well even able bodied can still do stupid But if it gives you a laugh, its worth it
But don’t go writing off your stroke hand just yet, it’s way too soon for that. You’re only 6mths post stroke and it takes years of hard work and persistence. You have to be in it to win it as the saying goes. But its ok to have your down days too, we are only human and you are entitled, stroke is a big life changer.
You’ve still got one good hand albeit temporarily incapacitated.
But it pays to watch youtube clips from paraplegics on how they manage their day to day lives, coping around the house etc, you can pick up some useful tips from them
This particular video is from a stroke survivor who also has Aphasia, relearnt to crochet with one hand.
The kitty in the background playing had me so distracted I forgot to watch what the woman was doing
The biggest difference between you or I, compared to these 2 women, is that they’ve had a lifetime to learn and adapt both physically and psychologically. You’ve only had 6mths and I’m not suggesting you need to learn to use your feet But these two women are an inspiration Fascinating to just watch how they go about their daily lives.