Touchy wrist

Somewhere in this blog, I mentioned that I was a tennis player. And, even though I’m a grandmom, I swing a pretty mean tennis racquet….I took up tennis after having a stroke when I was 29…a long, long time ago.

However…after nearly 40 years, I’ve worn out parts of my body…after 65 things began to fall apart. Right now, my wrist is giving me the most trouble, with leg cramps and “Charlie horses” running second and third.

I played tennis Friday and when my friend saw me wince as I hit the ball, she immediately asked “are you all right?”

“NO, my wrist hurts like crazy and I’m really miffed because I can’t hit the blasted ball over the net!”

Pat is an earth mother, she wants to help and care for everyone. The next morning, I answered my phone and she was on the other end.

”Jim (her husband, a doctor) said to come down to the hospital so he can have a look at your wrist”....Oh great! I didn't mean her to do this!

Its winter in Nebraska and the temp was bone chilling….I did not want to drive down to the hospital for Jim to look at my hand….but, since Pat went to the trouble of calling him and telling him my tale of woe, I had no choice. So, I bundled up and drove to St. Joseph’s Memorial Hospital….a really long way from my home.

Jim examined the wrist, tapping on the top and bottom of it, telling me to squeeze, twisted it hither and yon (and getting a few yips out of me in the process.) and did some other tests. “Well, you don’t have a carpral tunnel problem, but you could use some physical therapy” “I’ll call Pat and have her get you an appointment with Phil…he’s the best physical therapist in town.” …

It’s great to have a doctor (or the wife of one) as a personal friend....they know the best doctors in town. All you have to do is mention their name, and Wham! You have an appointment…even though the receptionist may have told you “I’m sorry, the doctor doesn’t have an opening for at least 3 weeks". It’s even better when the Dr.’s wife calls for you!

I am now getting physical therapy twice a week with a list of exercises that I do daily. The wrist feels stronger and I can write my name in recognizable script.

I think I’ll see what Phil can do for my knee, it’s been grouchy lately too. Might as well add those exercises to my list.