I woke up today, and I couldn’t feel my right hand.
After a few minutes, I could flex my fingers, but I couldn’t grab anything.
As the day wore on, I could grab with my fingers, but only with a fraction of the strength I had.
Suddenly, I had to rewire my brain and body to adjust. I had to use my left hand more.
I drove to my Pilates class, but my right hand could barely grab the steering wheel. The shifter was on the right side, and I could barely press it hard enough to get into gear – park, drive, or reverse.
Day 2
After two days, it was no better. I called a hand doctor for an appointment that was a week away.
Just like that, in an instant, I was disabled. I had to cope differently. I had to adjust.
Opening the refrigerator door. Nope. Use your left hand.
Grab a cereal bowl. Nope. Use your left hand.
Close the passenger door of my wife’s car while I sat in the passenger’s seat because I was afraid to drive. Nope. Pull the door closed with my left hand.
Ice.
Heat.
Nothing helped.
Day 3
I was still grabbing at about 30 percent.
I could barely put my socks on.
Is this the new normal?
I could not do things I took for granted.
I couldn’t replant the lilies I had planned to do.
I couldn’t rake up the leaves I had planned.
I couldn’t do simple tasks I never thought about.
Would I have to hire someone to do odd chores around the house?
Would I be able to play the piano and guitar again?
Would I have to sell my car and find one that was easier to operate?
Would I even be able to drive?
And what was I supposed to do with those 25 pound bags of salt for the water conditioner that was sitting in my trunk?
Losing a hand would be life-changing.
Day 4
Everything changed back to normal. Or near normal.
When I woke up, I could feel strength again in my hand.
Maybe 80 percent.
A few hours later, 90 percent. Near normal.
I realized how much I – and by saying I, I mean we – take everything we do for granted. Nothing in our health should be taken for granted. Anything, and everything, can disappear in an instant.
For no good reason.
Fortunately, I think I found the reason.
Was it cancer?
No.
Was it bone loss?
No.
I was leaning on my hand in bed while playing bridge on my phone for half an hour.
Night.
After night.
After night.
Finally, my body said, “I can’t take any more,” and my hand failed.
I realized this when I leaned on my other hand and felt the ache.
Aha!
So, as the old joke goes, “Doc, when I hit my head against the wall, my head hurts.”
Doctor: So stop hitting your head against the wall.
I was lucky.
But this was a wake-up call.
You can lose anything in an instant.
So be vigilant in your exercise and diet.
Whatever you lose, you might not get back.
Don’t take your health for granted.
Feeing grateful.
I’ll wait a few more days to unload the 25 pound bags of salt.
I don’t want to press my luck.
What are you grateful for?
