So awhile back, I noticed that my right hand was hurting when I pushed on the fourth knuckle or on the tip of my fourth finger. It would hurt when I grabbed things and I was having problems doing things like opening bottles, cans, etc. I had an occasional trigger finger on that finger (note for those that click, that is NOT my hand. My nails don’t look quite that bad). My dad was visiting and he had had a similar issue a few years back, where they’d gone in and opened up the sheaths that hold the tendons in the hand.
So I hauled my butt into the Doctor a couple of weeks ago.  Apparently, there’s a cyst on the tendon which is causing pain. He wanted to see if it would go away on its own and told me to take anti-inflammatories and come back in two weeks if its not better. The good news is that it’s a cyst because they can just drain it; if it’s the thing my dad had it would have meant getting the procedure re-done every couple of years.

Me: Excellent!
Doctor: I thought it hurt?
Me: Oh it does! But now I can tell my dad that I’m all Mature and stuff because I’m getting old!
Doctor: ??????
Me: Dad says that when you get old you start growing things. I think technically he was referring to things on the outside of the body, but I think this will do.
[crickets]
Doctor: So yeah. Just take some anti-inflammatories for a couple of weeks and see if that helps. Bye!

A week later I called for an appointment in a week because my fourth right digit started swelling up and it hurt to bend it. It was also difficult doing things like typing and using a mouse on that hand. At work I use a left-handed mouse, so that helps. I’ve switched my mouse at home to left-handed as well, but I can’t get away from the typing thing.

Yesterday, I went back to the doctor, schlepping the Poptart along because she had a rash on her face for the last month (we are extremely attractive these days, I have to say what with her spotted face and my swelled up hand).

Doctor: We’ll make an appointment for you at the hand clinic.
Me: How long does that usually take? It’s our slow month so if I could get it done in August or the beginning of September, that’d be great. [ed. note. I say this because I know he’s connected and can usually pull a string or two].
Doctor: Oh it doesn’t usually take too long because they put a whole bunch of people through each Friday. And there’s no way I’m going to try to drain that myself – there’re way too many nerve endings in there and I’d just make things worse.
[crickets]
Me: Oh, well. I’ll trust your judgment. You did, after all, catch my kid.
[crickets]
Doctor: So, yeah, I’ll see you for a followup after its done! Make sure reception has your contact information. Bye!

So now, I wait for the office to call me or email me and let me know if/when I get an appointment.

Update: October 13. Today I call the specialist’s office to see if they have a waitlist for cancellations.

Don’t get me wrong. I really like my doctor. He’s kind, sympathetic and has a good sense of humour. He just doesn’t know what to make of us because one minute one of us will be spouting about technology, and the next we’re spouting new age stuff and going on about the evils of dairy products.

You can still enter my A&D Diaper Rash Products giveaway here