Most of the week between 6 to 7 weeks I’ve been resting, and not because of the thumb. That’s mostly took a back seat to the hips and back pain I’ve had to settle.

YouTube short Day 45 post op The yellow egg is feeling quiet easy now to squeeze. Wonder if this strength will stay once the cast is removed?

Now we have much warmer temperatures, I can tell you the desire to pull this cast off is enormous. Now it’s feeling sweaty, heavy and smelly. The intrusive thoughts are here! But we have 6 days left of it Whoopie!! It’s looking rough and frayed in places so I’m glad it’s not much longer.

Can’t wait to not have this needle stabbing style pain, I’m convinced it’s due to the cast. Never had it in the last cast last year, but this one is stab stab stab in certain directions. Oh well just 6 days to go…..

I’ve tried exercises with the pinky red egg, and they are so hard compared to the yellow. So it’s still being challenged even in the cast. Youtube short Day 47 post op

This time next week I’ll be free. I can honestly say I’m struggling with it and this pain, so time is going so slow.

This week is the biggest week for the hand, it’s camping for 4 nights week!! Probably coming home just as I hit 6 weeks post op.

I can’t lie I was nervous, especially how to sleep and move about. But it’s time to get out and about, it’s Beltane Pagan Camp and it can’t be missed. Besides perhaps the drumming circle will be healing.

Still so much I can’t do, which is frustrating. Lids, carrying bags, helping set up the tent inside. So it felt strange taking such a backseat, I didn’t like it, I prefer independence. First day was the worst painwise, and finding new ways to do things, once I got into a good routine it made everything much more manageable. Helps that officially the cast could come off, so I’m not actually risking anything by going.

Sleep thankfully has been easier than at home, sleeping on my opposite side has meant it’s been easy to have the arm out of the way. Bodily it’s worn me out, but it’s been good for the soul to get out and do normal things again. Ironically it wasn’t the hand that sent us home earlier than planned it was the hips and back 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️( feels like even with 2 hip replacements I’m never going to get where I’d love to be mobility wise) especially as I’ve had to use the walking stick in the opposite hand, this really upset the back and hips!!

Once home and sleeping on my normal side, the hand aches came back, it must be blood pooling as it’s not elevated, like I had camping, so that’s definitely something to change.

Some days you are on top of the world, feeling like you can conquer anything. Next minute you are sobbing over a coffee lid, that has defeated your left hand (which was fused 13months ago) 😭😭😭😭 no lie I really did sob over it.

Ended up needing a glove and brace!

Left hand decided to have a snapping elastic band feeling, in the back of the hand. Then the lid pulled my thumb the following day. So had to admit defeat, rest and protect both hands. A reminder not to be too cocky!!

See here Youtube shorts

I’ve got the rubber eggs out again, to keep the fingers strong, and gently to build up strength in the thumb too. A spiky ball to help with movement as well.

Youtube shorts

Youtube shorts

I can feel weakness in the squeeze down the index finger and into that part of the hand, but steadily getting stronger each day.

This next week we are off camping so a real life test of the thumb, wrist and arm. This week it’s all washing, drying and packing clothes, and camping gear. But I must admit I’m excited to go, and although I hate the idea of the cast, at least I know it’s well protected in it.

I have missed doses and been bitten on the butt hard for that, so I’m not going to try and reduce meds again, seems I did this last time See here I obviously don’t learn my lesson 🤣🤣🤣🤣 its so good to be able to read back how I felt then, as now I know it’s normal at this stage to feel this way, only difference this time is I have an extra 2 weeks in the cast.

My best news was I washed my own hair over the bath, I squeezed the shampoo and conditioner out into tubs, so that would make it easier to get. I lent over the bath, and used taps to fill a cup and use that to wet the hair. Success and the cast didn’t get wet. You tube short of my hair

Sleep is sooooo hard, or rather the sleeping position to get some quality sleep is so difficult. I’m somewhere between falling asleep on my side, then waking up with a numb, tingly arm which prompts me to sit upright, and go back to sleep with it elevated. I guess that’s enough.

Watching videos on tiktok help with movement, ideas on how to sleep, move etc Cool the itch tiktok

I try to let the arm rest a bit more down my side while doing physio, so it can get used to it. Slow progress but every day is a step towards normal. And I always reward it with ice band elevation later.

Day 22 (I dated this one as it felt important) As this was My first day since surgery that I have felt like me. Hard to explain, I guess. But felt less broken today, managed to get into my yoga mat and do some hip and psoas stretches, like I was prior to surgery. Which was a huge boost mentality. With distraction comes naturally less meds,which make you feel better in itself. Though I have to try and avoid the massive payback at night.

One thing I wasn’t quite prepared for is the additional pain in the left hand, it’s a year post op, I felt super strong and ready. But it has shown that although I had been doing yoga and back to jewellery making, it still is weaker than the dominant hand, and now it’s being used more, it’s getting achy. Not a bad pain, just a reminder that some days it needs ibuprofen gel, and compression gloves at times.

The pains in the thumb this week have been burning pains in the thumb, I read it is usually the nerves waking up, so a positive sign, but I’m positive it really really hurts. So that icing, and some days more pain meds are still needed. Silver lining, only 4 weeks left in this cast now!! (Yes I’m absolutely counting down the days)

Let’s see if some healing Runes can help.

My biggest news Day 26 I had a BATH!!! Sat backwards so my right arm was on the outside of the bath, to dangle it out. Mentally it’s invigorated me, physically it was heaven. My dry skin was crying out, especially my legs.

Got the rubber ball and eggs out to give texture, resistance and exercise to the thumb and fingers. Day 26 rubber egg squeezing

It’s been a struggle since having thumb surgery to keep the momentum up for physio, I’ve had to adapt it to be standing exercises only. But I’m also battling the sheer exhaustion I’ve been feeling too

I felt I had gotten back into a good rhythm  but then this last week, I switched from the post surgical bandage, to a hard cast. And that has flared up the swelling and pain in the hand, which has had a knock on effect.

Thankfully the psoas pain is still gone, and it’s that fact which keeps me thinking to try my best to keep up basics moves, to ensure it stays away. I can’t wait to be able to get out walking again too, weather permitting.

The Aerobic step is being used the most, as it’s easy to have a chair beside it for stability, and do step ups, the hip flexion, abduction and extension on there, as well as lunges onto the step, all while being supported.

I’m hoping as the pain relief doses decrease and pain itself decreases in the hand, I can do more and more. This week I’ve introduced some household chores to help out, like washing clothes, tidying a bit. Do you guys have any motivation, or physio advice??

Now I’m not as ruled by pain,( famous last words, or tempting fate?) this week I’ve started to try and get on with things, physio as usual for hips, but also help with some jobs around the house, as I like to try some independence. Such as making my own coffee with my left hand, doing some tidying up, washing clothes etc. I’m sure those that live alone are way more independent than I am. Honestly I could not have got through this first 2 weeks without the help and support of my husband. He’s been a lifesaver. My movement today on Youtube shorts

Getting used to the cast is also a Biggie, as I get claustrophobic if a jumper clings too much, so I know mentally having a cast is a challenge for me. But I’ve found ice keeps intrusive thoughts away, and exercising the fingers, or distracting myself with a good movie. Celebrate each day as a victory and a day closer to 20th may. One week down 5 more to go!!

My mission this week is to ditch as many doses as I can, I’ve stopped the morphine as it wrecks your tummy, and you don’t get many either so had to wean off. But I’d like to ditch the extra tramadol too. And to get out and about. I feel like I’ve been too trapped indoors. Admittedly rain is the biggest culprit, I’m terrified about getting the cast wet 🥺 but I have bought this cast cover just in case, as we have a camping adventure to do in may. I got it super cheap from Asda Available here

So far I keep failing at night with pain relief, unless I take morphine, which just isn’t an option, had to swap it for tramadol and hope for the best. As with tramadol it either lets you sleep, or it keeps you up all night 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ but you never know which it will be.

I’m also experimenting with sleeping positions, as perhaps if I’m not bolt upright perhaps I’d sleep better. I’ve had the odd night success of sleeping on my side and not taking pain meds, but I need it to be consistent. A goal to work towards for sure. Especially for camping coming up in a few weeks time. Both excited yet terrified.

*side note* the operated Elbow is really giving me a lot of pain and weakness, some days trying to lift a duvet is so painful, I don’t know what I’ve done, I did have this pain before surgery, but since surgery it’s got worse

What a difference between last year’s recovery of just a CMC joint fusion and bone graft, compared to this CMC joint replacement and MCP joint fusion. It definitely is and has been more painful, due to the MCP joint area, it feels like a constant pressure. It can’t be the bandage as the colour and temp of the thumb is fine, so it’s not too tight.

Day 8 Sleep is still hit or miss but it’s improved overall. The shoulder and neck however are super stiff, and I’m doing arm exercises to try and combat that. Sleeping in the sling is hard on the upper body, so I’m going to try and sleep without it tonight. I also need to wean off the morphine at night, scary as I still wake up in pain with it. But try it tonight. I’m replacing it with tramadol for now.

Day 9 I actually slept even though I swapped out the morphine for tramadol, and I didn’t use this foamy splint either. I was nervous not to use it, but the neck and shoulder ache drove me to try to sleep upright, but with arm on a pillow resting instead. And it actually went well. But I will say it’s a success when I can do a few nights in a row. As so far I have one bad night, then a good night, followed by bad night (and so on) never 2 nights good back to back, so let’s keep trying. I found this Exercise video to follow on YouTube, which will be good for the arms and shoulders.

Day 10 Last night I tried tramadol again instead of morphine, and it was Hell. So at 3am I ended up taking morphine to ease pains and get some sleep. So I’ve felt super exhausted today, so it was a day of resting and danger naps galore!! I guess my body and mind needs all the rest it can get. I have my appointment to see my consultant at 6 weeks post op, and it’s actually 8 weeks post op on 20th May, I presume the cast and x-rays will be done on this day. So I am in the hard cast for 6 weeks. Tiktok video of my movement

Day 11 Pondering on how to have a bath, or wash my hair. Definitely feeling a bit restless at times, I want to do things, but I’m unable. At least I do have this blog to keep me occupied, as well as physio for the hips and shoulders. Thumb is starting to feel hypersensitive and the bandage feels more intense at times, I know it’s normal and part of healing, but it’s wild to feel texture so much when it flares up. Cool air from a hairdryer helps or ice. Decided in my infinite wisdom to turn a dial with my hand 🤦🏻‍♀️Why!!!! Ouchies 🥺 My elbow is super sore and swollen too, not sure why? Nerve block? Or position in surgery? It needs ice and ibuprofen gel daily. YouTube video of elbow

Day 12 Last day in this bandage, I will not miss the weight of it. Maybe then the elbow will heal better. Sleeping a lot better at night, but still sat upright and propping my arm up. So I long for a normal way of sleeping, and feel refreshed. As somehow I do not wake up feeling like I’ve slept all night 🤦🏻‍♀️ I did try it a little bit half way through the night, and it did feel better. So fingers crossed this can be the new way. We went out for Sunday dinner so I managed to put my make up on and brush my hair, even though it was difficult. Tonight I’m going to try and sleep flat all night. Second night taking 1/2 morphine tablet as I’m weaning off them before they run out.

Day 13 Up nice and early for hospital. It’s cast time at 9am. So the day starts at 6am alarm 👀 grab some coffee and get ready to leave. Had the night from hell, so not the best start. I ended up having tramadol at 3.30am and just not sleeping well, had to go back to sitting up as well 🤦🏻‍♀️. Of course the weather is terrible and traffic on the roads too. Let’s hope the rest of the day goes smoothly. Cast is a lot lighter, got a lovely colour. It’s now on for 6 weeks, o can’t move as much as before, but hopefully it’s all good. Obviously feel quite sore after wound clean up and cast being put on, so resting up for the day now. With much needed ice and elevation.

Day 14 Two Weeks Today!! Pain has kicked off a bit since being cleaned and moved, and recast. So the sleep wasn’t amazing, but it will get better I’m sure. Just hoping pain meds when needed. As the cast is tighter and more restrictive than the bandage, it’s all about learning how to do things around this now. It is nicer that I can get one more normal clothes as the cast is a lower profile, and it’s so much lighter too to carry.

Let’s hope the next few weeks (6 of them in this cast) fly by.

Because I got to speak to the Consultant on Day 13 cast day, she mentioned the silicone spacer replacement is taped in as well for added security, (who knows what this tape is made of, or what it looks like? And the mcp fusion is 2 pins and a figure of eight wire holding it in place. Has anyone else had these?

Last year when it was cast day it gave me a world of pain!! So I saved a few doses of morphine specifically for these couple of days, as I know I’m going to need it. Thankfully once you have a hard cast the icing pads work a lot better than the bandage, so Ice will be my best friend as well. Saw this which made me laugh it’s so like this Tiktok cast video

Goodbye mister big bandage. I won’t miss your heaviness, and bulk!!

Night of hell, so barely any sleep at all, and seeing red traffic doesn’t bode well. Let’s hope it all goes smoothly.

Managed a fairly stress free drive as we set off early, to give us some grace period. Thank goodness we did as traffic did eat into that time.

A few colours and lots of swelling under there, it obviously had bled a fair bit, but was all dried up and healing well. Two long stitches needing snipping to skin level and hopefully time will dissolve the rest. Now for the cast I’ve gone for a tealy green which is usually for a soft cast so they did a white hard cast underneath, and topped it with this soft cast colour. I love it. Good job I do, as it’s on for 6 weeks now. Ms Smith did check the wound and how I was feeling, which I didn’t expect to see her today. So I asked about my elbow, which she checked for me. Confirmed soft tissue damage and to use ice and elevation.

Now to get used to this as it’s more restrictive, but lighter to wear. Home to have meds and rest up. Slept in the afternoon, I was wiped out.