At the beginning of March, I was diagnosed with Kienbock's Disease, a rare bone disease that affects 1 in 200,000 people. The doctor described it as a heart attack to the bone where the blood supply gets cut off, causing the bone to die, creating avascular necrosis of the lunate bone in the wrist.
It's a progressive condition. If it's not treated, the lunate eventually breaks down and crumbles, most likely resulting in a wrist fusion. Thankfully, I was diagnosed at an early stage, which gave me some treatment options. I had a vascularized bone graft surgery on my lunate in June.
After spending two weeks in a partial cast and four more in a full cast, I went back to the doctor this past week. The X-rays showed that my lunate had started to break down further since having the surgery, indicating that my body is clearing out the dead bone faster than the new bone is growing. It was hard not to be discouraged.
After a few tears and a whole lot of praying, I reminded myself to cling to God's truths. We walk by faith and not by sight. Nothing is impossible for Him. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. His grace is sufficient. Jesus has conquered death and the grave. He brings new life. He makes all things new. All things are possible for those who believe.
I believe that God is clearing out the old to make room for the new. I believe He will breathe life into this bone. I believe He will heal me and restore function to my wrist.
I was so thankful to be seen for a physical therapy evaluation yesterday with a certified hand therapist. I left the appointment full of hope and excited to focus on what I can do. So today, on my 40th birthday, I made a list of 40 things I'm thankful for. A year ago today, I'd have never imagined being so excited about what I wrote down today, but I can promise that I will never again take any of these things for granted. I have celebrated every single one of these victories, and I can't wait to add more.
Here's to 40 birthday blessings!
- Washing both hands with a bar of soap
- Washing my face with both hands
- Washing my right arm with my left hand
- Holding a shampoo bottle in my left hand
- Pouring shampoo into my left hand
- Washing my hair with both hands
- Wrapping my hair in a towel with both hands
- Holding a towel in my left hand without pain
- Drying my hair with both hands
- Using a straightener on my hair
- Holding a tube of toothpaste with my left hand
- Squeezing the toothpaste with my left hand
- Opening a tube of chap stick
- Putting lotion on my hands
- Putting my hair in a ponytail
- Turning off and on the lights with my left hand
- Holding a shirt in my left hand without pain
- Folding the laundry
- Putting on a pillow case using both hands
- Putting on socks
- Putting on shoes
- Tying my shoes
- Untying my shoes
- Taking off my shoes
- Taking off my socks
- Putting my hand in my pocket
- Typing with two hands
- Stabilizing a notebook with my left hand while writing
- Improvement with my therapy exercises
- More movement with my wrist and fingers
- Opening a candy wrapper
- Tearing open an oatmeal packet
- Opening a bag of chips without using scissors
- Peeling a banana
- Slicing a banana
- Holding a cracker in my left hand
- Holding a coffee cup in my left hand
- Putting on an oven mitt
- Making cupcakes
- Doing the dishes
