Date: Mon, 6 Feb 1995 08:35:13 EST From: "Donna Foley (813) 974-4033 S/C 574-4033" Subject: upcoming surgery? In reply to Marcy Hirsh on CTS surgery: FYI, I had CT release surgery on my right hand in March '93, covered as a worker's comp. claim. For me the surgery has mainly decreased the numbness in the median nerve distribution fingers. I returned to my job as an applications programmer using mainly COBOL, with no change to my equipment, about five weeks after the surgery. Going back to a standard keyboard with no doctor provided limitations or schedule for amount of keyboard time worked for three weeks, then the pain (burning across the palms of my hands and other sensations) began again. I finally got a DataHand keyboard in May '94. It has helped some, however it is not a complete solution to the problem. Suggestions for dealing with daily living after surgery. 1. Get an easy to care for hair style. Shorter is easier to wash one- handed. Blow dryers and curling irons nearly impossible to use. 2. Driving is nearly out of the question for the first two or three weeks after surgery. Automatic transmission with a center console for changing gears is <> with your left hand. (This is in the U.S. for those of you reading from the U.K.) I can only imagine trying to drive in a manual tranmission car. 3. Have your significant other or spouse be ready to help you get dressed after surgery (if you have day surgery). Your arm will still be numb and flops around uselessly. Wear a shirt that has large sleeves as the hand with the surgery will have some sort of cast on it. 4. Before you have surgery stock up on easy to prepare foods, think of easy opening packaging things. Be willing to use paper plates and cups - no dishes to wash. 5. Do not have both hands done at the same time. You WILL be totally helpless if you go from having the use of two hands to no use use of either hand. 6. Begin trying to use your left hand for some things before surgery. Example: tooth brushing, putting on makeup, brushing your hair. 7. If the hospital gives you a plastic bag to put your belongings in while in surgery, save it. You can use it you wrap your cast arm while taking showers. Hope this helps, ************************************************************************ Donna Foley DBEABAK@CFRVM.CFR.USF.EDU (INTERNET) Computer Programmer Analyst Manager DBEABAK@CFRVM.BITNET (BITNET) University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Ave. - SVC 4010 Phone - (813) 974-4033 Tampa, Florida 33620 SUNCOM 574-4033 ************************************************************************