Suspended Animation

I haven’t been writing much lately. Instead, I’ve been learning how to maneuver with this oversized plastic splint on my arm. (I photographed it with our Christmas tree in the background, to add a festive holiday touch to the image.)

I hurt my hand more than a month ago, and while I thought it was getting better, any sort of movement seemed to screw it up again. Last week I finally gave up with the home remedies and found a doctor. Believe it or not, the verdict was … arthritis.

Arthritis! I’m hardly out of my 30s! I’m in the prime of life!

Well, maybe not … especially since the orthopedic specialist I consulted actually had a nose ring. That little piece of jewelry in her right nostril made me feel older than the diagnosis did.

Technically, she said I have carpal metacarpal degeneration in my thumb, combined with swollen ligaments in my wrist.  Now, for a professional writer and tarot reader, doesn’t that sound like a career-threatening injury?

But all hope is not lost. All I have to do is wear this custom-molded plastic splint for a month, 24/7, except when I’m showering or doing housework.

I’m kidding! I can’t do any housework with this thing on my arm! We’re wallowing in filth! (I am still taking showers, though.)

The splint totally immobilizes my thumb and wrist, which is supposed to make the swelling go down and the pain go away.

And in the meantime, I hired a housecleaner.