Reaching Out with Damaged Hands

"Did You Know...
Hitting a ganglion cyst with a book is not recommended?"

This bit of insightful medical advice is from Mercks Manual, the disease and treatment Bible. I am sorry to say that I have strange things developing in my hands. One started off as what the doc thought was a nerve ganglion that grew after I caught a frisbee smack dab in the joint at the base of my thumb with a resounding and painful thwack. That was about two years ago. Lately, it has grown slowly such that now it has enlongated and stretched up the tendon in my thumb. And then, I noticed a hard nodule in the palm of the other hand. I made another doctor appointment, but first did my own internet diagnosing.

For all of you tempted to self diagnose, always be prepared to be freaked out. Quite often, many diseases have risks, such as death associated with them. The internet has no bedside manner, and doesn't care if its pronouncements make you pee in your pants. Nonetheless, I took a deep breath and prowled the internet. The very first hit I got when I searched, "nodules in hand" said that the vast majority of people who have nodules in the hand have a disease called "dupuytren's contractures." This is not a favored disease of artists and writers as, while not fatal, it is progressive in most cases, and can lead to crippling hand contractures. Ronald Reagan had this disease, which made me feel that at least I was in good company.

There is no accepted treatment outside of surgery, and no cure. There are promising alternative treatments suggested, and I quickly hurried to read about those. One is to rub vitamin E on the nodules, as well as take it orally. I am little and know that fat soluble vitamins like E can be overdosed with bad results, so decided to start with just the rub on treatment. I actually think the nodules might be a touch softer after two weeks of this treatment. I am praying for a miracle and that they will just disappear on their own. My hands are currently highly useful in writing and drawing, and also in covering my mouth in horror when I read things on the internet that scare the pants off me.

The doctor agreed my self-diagnosis of Dupuytrens could be correct. She also felt that they seemed like three separate nerve ganglion cysts. She assured me they were not cancer- cancer in the hands is almost unheard of. She felt comfortable just measuring the lumps, and watching to see if they change. IF they do grow or become painful, I need to see an orthopedist, but for now, we are just watching. If you are the praying type, I would covet your prayers. Surprisingly, my blood pressure was only 102/60.
"That's really fantastically low! What's your secret?" asked the nurse.
"I guess it must be job concerns, having a good friend die, another on death's doorstep, and developing strange hand diseases," I confided, "Also, I prayed this morning."

Fortunately, as with all troubles, I rush to a book of great comfort. It is on my iPhone, iPad, and a print copy of it in almost every one of the many bookshelves in our home. It has many references to hands- hands that stretch out, perform wonders, and especially clasp my own always, even when they are gnarled, and painful, and lumpy.

Psalm 77:1-7,10-12,19 (NIV)
I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. [2] When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. [3] I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. [4] You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. [5] I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; [6] I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked: [7] “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? [10] Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. [11] I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. [12] I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” [19] Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.



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