I saw the physical therapist yesterday morning and then the doctor. My range of motion is coming back nicely. I’m going to continue with the same exercises for the range and now I’m adding in some strengthening exercises as well.

The pain is still pretty bad. The area where the incision is remains extremely sensitive. It’s not the incision that hurts, but the nerve and muscle underneath. The nerve was actually relocated. That involves cutting into the “sack” around the muscle and inserting the nerve. It had to be done that way so the nerve wouldn’t try to go back to it’s original position.

The doctor and physical therapist both said it will be painful for several months longer.

Unfortunately the tingling in my fingers hasn’t gone away. It’s a little better, but not gone.

I don’t have to wear the splint any more, unless I want to. I will probably wear it at work to protect it. People tend to run into me at work. I don’t want to injure it further.

I’m allowed to use my arm a little now. I have a 2 pound weight restriction. Basically I’m allowed to use it for little things like bathing, eating and that type of thing. No heavy lifting and no repetitive actions. 5 months ago

Today is day three after my post-op doctor visit. I was told I can remove the clear bandages covering the steri-strips holding my incision closed. They said the steri-strips may come off. When I removed the bandage ALL of them came off. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’m a little concerned that it’s too early for the steri-strips to come off. There are no stitches so that’s all that was holding the incision closed.

I’m going to have to watch it closely.

I’m still very sore today. I may be trying to do too much. I’m not lifting anything with my left hand, but it’s difficult not using my left arm at all.

I’m still taking the Trammadol for pain. Only 1 pill every 4 hours while I’m working. They don’t mess with my head as long as I only take one. 6 months ago

This is getting ridiculous

Jen called me today to tell me she’s my new case manager. She wanted an update. I found it funny because Courtney had already called me this morning for an update.

I guess Jen is a nurse. She said when a case is 90 days old they assign a nurse from her department as case manager. My case is 6 months old… guess they’re a little behind.

Jen said a nurse will be going to my next appointment with the surgeon to monitor my progress. I wish they would have cared a little more during the 9 weeks it took to get approval for surgery. 6 months ago

the incision is much longer than I thought it would be

still very swollen and painful

exercises every 2 hours. uncomfortable splint to wear for 2 to 3 weeks.

released to work with restrictions for right hand work only 6 months ago

I’ve been a great deal of pain since the surgery. The pain pills aren’t taking all of the pain away, but they help a little. However, I don’t like the high I’ve been on because of them.

I’ve been taking them every 4 hours as instructed to manage the pain. Last night I skipped the 4 a.m. pill. I’m hurting quite a bit right now, but I survived without the pill. Going to try to switch to Aleve today. 6 months ago

can’t sleep for more than an hour at a time. Pain meds are making me nauseated. This sucks. 6 months ago

I’m pretty high on pain pills at the moment but I wanted to let my friends know I made it through.

Will post again tomorrow. 6 months ago

My surgery was finally approved last Thursday. I haven’t been thinking about it too much because of dad’s health. I scheduled the surgery for next Thursday.

Now that dad has passed away I’m feeling like I should reschedule the surgery. I need it done, but I need to be available for my mom. Her well being is more important right now. 6 months ago

I’ve made several calls to my case manager. Well, to my new case manager. My old case manager isn’t there any more. The new woman gave me the adjuster’s phone number to call her. Well, the temp case manager gave me the number. I finally spoke to the actual person in charge of my case now. She also told me to call the adjuster.

It kind of pissed me off. What’s the point of having a case manager if I have to do the calling and bitching? That’s her job.

I’ve left 3 messages for the adjuster over the past 2 weeks. Not one call has been returned. I’m in pain. I’m using my hand and arm too much. I have to help mom stand up, get in and out of the car, push her in the wheelchair at the hospital and help her walk pretty much everywhere else. It’s too much strain on my body. But it doesn’t matter. It has to be done.

But I need an answer about the surgery. I work in retail. We are going into the busiest time of our year. I can’t take time off for surgery after November 19th. We are too busy. We can’t afford to have me out of commission. It’s getting ridiculous.

I’m going to call an attorney next week. Maybe that will finally get things moving. 6 months ago

She said she spoke to the adjuster Tuesday. Adjuster needs a little more info. I answered a lot of questions 2 weeks ago. I can’t imagine what other info they need.

I was in a lot of pain yesterday. The tingling has progressed to pain rather than tingling and numbness. I called the doctor. They called in a prescription for Tramadol to help with the pain. We’ll see how it goes. 7 months ago

just waiting for the official notification

The adjuster said she thinks I will be off work for a week, then probably restricted work for a few more weeks. The doctor said only off work for 2 days, but I’m going to plan for longer, just in case.

The doctor does surgery on Monday and Thursday. Going to ask for Thursday so I can work Sunday through Wednesday to get my hours in. He sees patients in my area on Tuesday. I will take my 2 days off Sunday and Monday following surgery and use vacation time for Tuesday. Hopefully that will work out. I don’t really want to lose time from work, or use a lot of vacation time.

Hopefully I will hear something definitive this coming week. 7 months ago

I saw my surgeon yesterday for the EMG test results. I already knew the tingling in my pinky is due to a pinched nerve in my elbow. The doctor who did the test told me when the test was over.

My surgeon said it is still possible that the fall at work caused it. We have no way of knowing one way or the other. I didn’t have this problem prior to the fall. He recommends surgery to correct the problem. He will go in and move the nerve from one location to another. He said the nerve is the one that causes pain when you hit your funny bone.

He is going to send his report to my case manager recommending surgery. He will let her know he feels this could be a result of my injury at work. She will then contact the insurance company to see if work comp will pay for it. I’m sure I won’t have an answer for at least a week.

Either way, he wants me to have surgery. If work comp will pay for it I will absolutely have the surgery. If not, I will have to think about it. I need to find out what my insurance will pay and how much my co-pay would be.

The doctor said I would only miss 2 days of work. That scares me a little. I can’t imagine doing my job after only 2 days off. I need both hands to work. If it’s considered part of work comp I will get a transitional associate to help me again. If not, I don’t know if I will be able to do my job. Which really sucks since I’m full time now and the assistant store manager. I have a lot of responsibilities. I need to work at my full potential.

I guess I will wait until I know what the work comp people say before I decide.

Unfortunately I can’t mark this goal complete yet :( 8 months ago

I had the EMG today. I have a pinched nerve in my elbow. That is what’s causing the tingling/numbness in my hand. It is not related to the wrist injury, so… no surgery! I have a follow up appointment with my surgeon next Tuesday. Hopefully this will all be over very soon. 8 months ago

scheduled for August 27th

Fingers crossed that nothing is seriously wrong. I really don’t want to have surgery. 9 months ago

I saw the doctor today. Since the tingling/numbness is still present about 65% of the time he wants me to get the EMG. Waiting to hear from Workers Comp for the approval for the test and where they want me to get it done.

If the results aren’t favorable, I’m looking at surgery. Not looking forward to the test. 9 months ago

The doctor released me to work with no restrictions this morning. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’m still having the numbness/tingling in my pinky. I have a follow up appointment in 4 weeks to see if that has gone away. If it hasn’t we will schedule an EMG to see what the problem is. 10 months ago

I’ve been keeping track of the time I spend going to the doctor and physical therapy. I feel as though I should be compensated for the time. I’ve scheduled everything to not interfere with work or school. That means most of my appointments are between 8 and 9 a.m. That’s a real inconvenience. It sucks having to get up so early for appointments, especially on Tuesday. That’s the only day my doctor and therapist are at the office near me. I have class from 11 until 2 every Tuesday and I usually work from 3 until close those days too. It makes for a very long day.

Since the company is closing I’m also worried about my claim being taken care of. I may have to consult an attorney. I really don’t want to do that. 10 months ago

doesn’t seem to be doing much

I don’t really see why I’m going. The first few visits were ridiculous. She gave me one exercise to do. The fourth visit was a little more detailed. She gave me several different strengthening exercises. They cause a great deal of pain. The doctor removed my splint that day as well.

I went for another therapy appointment Tuesday morning at 8:30. I was exhausted after being up all night in the ER with a dear friend. I thought it was important to keep the appointment. The therapist checked the strength of my grip, had me straighten my fingers and make a fist. That’s it. Such a waste of time.

I was scheduled for one more therapy sessions next Tuesday before my doctor appointment. She said she doesn’t need to see me again. Just keep doing the exercises and see the doc Tuesday.

I’m still in a lot of pain. Most of the time it’s bearable, but at times it’s excruciating. I’m trying to treat it as though it were healed, but I think it’s too soon for that.

I’m ready for this whole ordeal to be over. 10 months ago

started Tuesday morning. Feeling quite a bit of pain tonight. Dr ordered PT a week ago. Took that long to get the approval and get scheduled. Work Comp is frustrating.

Doing a little better not using my left arm. Some things are very difficult (getting dressed, fixing my hair, etc). You never know how much you use your arm until you can’t use it.

The therapist adjusted my splint again today. It provided some relief, however, the original problems I had corrected with the last adjustment are back (the splint cuts into the back of my hand and also on my ring finger and pinky). I’m going to have to get that taken care of.

I will be extremely happy when this ordeal is over. 11 months ago