DQS: De Quervain's Syndrome

De Quervain's Syndrome is commonly referred to as Gamer's Thumb or New Mommy wrist. I'm no gamer nor am I a new mom but I was recently diagnosed with this thing. A bummer, I know. It is kinda, sorta related to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Who knows, they might even be cousins. Basically, I've lost any sensation on my left thumb and the right side of my left forefinger. I can move my fingers, yes, but my left wrist is perpetually in pain. Intense pain. I'm still waiting until my wrist+thumb support grows on me.

My left hand grew weaker too. I'm unable to grip well, let alone hold something heavier than an empty glass. I'm glad I'm right-handed which means I can still write with a pen with ease, one thing I rarely thanked God for in the past.

I'm still trying to figure out what to take from this experience. I'm pretty sure there are some lessons here that would benefit you and me. For one, I think, two is often better than one. Like having a pair of ears and feet, two hands get the job done twice as fast and twice as effective. Our hands share the task of typing, washing the dishes, wringing a wet towel, carrying an infant, and clapping, on a daily basis.

Meds and the humble wrist support are the temporary solutions at the moment. I wish they'd help me heal fast. If not, steroid shots and a surgery are possibilities I dread in the near future.

It's true that this became an overnight insecurity of mine. I'm worried about a lot of stuff I have no control over. Oh, my stupid vice and I adding damage to this literal injury.

Although I'm unable to do many things like playing the guitar, learning to play a new instrument (as you know, instrument playing requires both hands), longboarding, carrying my cute nephews, using the left hand as a substitute for when my right hand gets tired and lotsa other things, I am thankful for the chance to slow things down. I feel like an infant relying on my other limb and the kindness of the people around me to get by. I'm humbled by my handicap. It reminds me that I'm in constant need of grace and that the God I serve is ever ready to dispense the grace I badly need. God is good.

⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

New International Version (NIV)