At Last!

   Finally got 2 appointments confirmed:  I'm having my eyes done...a YAG Laser Capsulotomy...at the end of August at the Griffiss Eye Surgery Center in Rome.  It's to clear my fogged over the coronary implants in both eyes.  Debris left behind after cataract surgery caused the problem and this procedure is suppose to clear it up in 20-15 mins without and fuss or muss.  Sure hope so!  

  The 2nd appointment is for the next day at Bassett in Herkimer where I'll finally see the 'Hand Man'.  My left hand is still swollen and painful.  The pain still wakes me up while it travels from my left thumb up my arm to my shoulder and back to my hand.  I've tried knitting a little and I can only work a couple of rows before the pain gets to be too much.  I sure hope this helps, too!

 

Let's Try This Again

When I got the notice the other day that the referral to Orthopedics went thru and I had an appointment with a carpal tunnel specialist for Aug 27th I tried to explain to the woman on the phone that Dr Miller had ruled out carpal tunnel.  His test (a lot of little needles hooked up to an electrical current) showed that I did not have a significant blockage in my carpal tunnel but she said that's the appointment I had.  I emailed my 'attending' asking him what to do and this morning he emailed back and said he'd take care of it.  I do not have any blockage in my carpal tunnel and seeing a specialist for that would make us all look like idiots...not to mention charging my insurance company. He didn't use those exact words but he did say there had been a mistake.  He was going to resubmit the request for a ortho referral so it's back to waiting.  I emailed him right back thanking him for taking the time to do this and telling him that a friend had seen Michael Pelcer, a P.A. in Ortho/sports for a similar problem with great results.  Hope Bill can get me in to see him!

What Next?

    I am still waiting to hear from Bassett for my Orthopedic referral.  Tomorrow will be 1 week since it was sent in. You'd think it was possible for someone to look at the schedule and make a phone call or two in that time, wouldn't you?  

    Last night was a sleepless night.  The heating pad and extra-strength Tylenol did nothing!  I was moving

furniture at 3am!  Guess I thought the Feng Shu was off or something.  Anyway, after I rearranged some of the bedroom furniture I was able to get some sleep.  Of course, it was 5am by then and I was exhausted. (Ever try to move anything without putting any pressure on your left hand?)  I slept to 9:15 and then the pain in my hand started moving again.  Such fun!  Who needs an alarm clock?? 

   Finally, they called and my appointment is Aug. 27th at 2pm to see Dr Ries for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ...eventho, Dr Miller decided July 16th that I do not have a significant blockage in my carpal tunnel. The only good thing about this appointment is that it is in Herkimer.

   PT called yesterday to confirm my evaluation but when I told them I had been refered to Orthopedics Brandon said I could postponed the eval until after I see the orthopedist...who knows when that will be.  Referal went in Fri or Monday and it takes at least 7 days before you get an appointment.  Today my entire left hand started having 'trigger' pain and I had to soak it in hot water and then rub in the Voltarn and take the extra-strength Tylenol before I got any relief.  My arm is becoming misshaped from wearing that brace!  And the pain doesn't stop so I'm taking some time off from the brace. At least when I feel a pain starting I can message my arm/hand/wrist!  Slept in my chair again last night.  Tried laying down but couldn't get comfortable...the arm kept hurting so I got up and got comfy in the chair.  Fanny okayed that arrangement because it gave her the entire bed and she liked being able to stretch out...nobody was kicking her!  Boy, those dogs know how to live, don't they?  Think I'll get a ball of yarn and start squeezing it with my left hand...maybe that will help?