In case you thought I’d fallen over a cliff, I didn’t really, but my right hand took a leave of absence. Something went wrong last weekend — not sure exactly what or just a combination of things like working with plant pots, trying to get the outdoor thermometer screwed back on the wall (harder than it sounds since the drill bit was recalcitrant), doing hand washables (all that wringing), computing (although that wasn’t special on the weekend) or whatever.  In any event, by Sunday afternoon my right pinky finger hurt. Not overly unusual since I have recurring pain in both hands anyway. Took some aspirin and went to a movie (my favorite relaxation tool).

Monday it was worse and the base of the finger seemed puffy — also   touching anything caused sharp pain, not just the ache of the day before. That made working with a mouse unpleasant and doing most other chores uncomfortable. By evening the right side of my hand was swollen and I was beginning to be concerned. No evidence of insect bites or broken bones, but dramatic increase in near constant pain. Did internet research (left-handed) to see what other possibilities might be — didn’t like any of the options, including the pictures of fingers bent to the left that bore a striking resemblance to mine.

Tuesday, I couldn’t tie my shoes because I simply don’t know how to do that left-handed. Couldn’t grasp anything with my right hand without serious pain. Abandoned all thought of writing — I’m a good typist which means all fingers on both hands. Hunt and peck is just aggravating. Plus it’s difficult to be creative through a haze of pain. Could just  barely type on phone since  that’s thumbs only, but holding the device was a problem. Planned household work abandoned as well as income-producing work. Pain-killer, cold drink (left hand only) and reading a mystery while keeping right hand elevated. Went to a going away party (public transit — couldn’t have driven anyway) which luckily had finger food so no trying to use a fork with my left hand. Glass of wine seemed to help.

Wednesday, swelling went down — back to the original injury site. Still not happy to be touched but not continuously painful. Good news is I could tie my shoes (and hadn’t forgotten how). Still not happy on a keyboard though. Skipped computer meetings and went to another movie — French with subtitles to distract the brain.

Thursday, betterish but not good. Realized that pretty much all projects I had planned for this week either get recycled to next or just tossed. That’s a little discouraging.

Friday — can type (hence this post) but not for very long. We’ve hit the heat wave in Portland now so those ideas about cleaning are over for this week anyway (running a vacuum cleaner in unairconditioned apt would not only aggravate my hand but the rest of me). I enjoy the warm weather but low activity is the way to go.

Happy Fourth!