A Warm Hello to All!

I am scheduled for surgery on this Thursday, July 10th!

I am scheduled for a procedure called a "subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve." (A long phrase!)

I have an ulnar nerve lesion. (The ulnar nerve comes down through our arms, passing by/through our elbow regions, down through our forearms and into our fingers... thebaby and ring fingers).

In my left arm/hand, this has progressed to the point of extreme pain in arm/hand, severe muscle wasting and severe weakness. My hand has atrophied. This has occurred rather rapidly. (Much further damage had occurred while awaiting correct diagnosis and also waiting for sugery!)

Doctors do not expect my left hand to regain strength, nor muscle mass. This type of damage is considered irreversible.

The reason for having any surgery, at this point, is to stop any further atrophy of the hand. (The hand will continue to show worse atrophy as time goes on if this procedure is not done.)

I have idioipathic peripheral polyneuropathies throughout my body, along with additional nervous system problems.

I have this same pattern showing up in my right arm/hand.
We are hoping to get the surgery done on the left side and have some recovery time before we must also do a procedure on the right side. We are planning to interrupt the process before the right side has atrophied to this point!

I am currently told full recovery time for my left will be between 9 and 18 months! We are hoping the right arm/hand (nerve) does not deteriorate as quickly! We hope we can allow the left to heal (at least some) before we must do this same procedure in order to save my right arm/hand.

I will need to be in a full length arm brace (straight) for three full weeks after surgery. (I cannot take my arm out of the brace at all for a week, and until stitches are removed. I then can take my arm out of the brace intermittently, to flex my elbow.)

I will not have any formal PT prescribed (nor approved/covered by insurance) for my hand, as the expectation is that of no potential for rehab.

I will, however, be working hard to strengthen any muscle possible in my hand, as I have been doing, trying to keep strength during this time of atrophy. I have a therapist lined up to work with me on this, even though the docs will not prescribe it and the insurer will not recover it.

I am going to try anyway, as I have nothing at all to lose. I fully understand that I might not recover anything. Yet, I also know some for the muscles not directly affected might be able to get stronger and help to compensate for the muscle directly affected. I can forgive myself for trying, despite being told trying was "fruitless." I would not be so able to forgive myself for not having tried my best anyway! Even strengthening some unaffected small muscles has got to help some.

I am grateful for any prayers, positive thoughts, meditations, positive enrgy offered up on my behalf!

I know this issue is very minor compared to some here.
So many here are in my prayers, and/or I offer positive thoughts/energy on the behalf of all in need.

I will be doing my best to check in , intermittently, between now and surgery time (Thursday a.m.) and also in the days after surgery!

Love and Deep Inner Peace to All!

With Deep Gratitude~

Sending prayers along with positive thoughts Dejavu for a successful outcome on Thursday surgery. May the Lord guide your surgeons hands.

Thanks so very much, Alffe!

Oh ((DejaVu)) I think you've heard by now I been bugging poor Moi for more info on you. I have definitely noticed you not being here and am so happy that you still are.

And I'm so very sorry for what you are going through, it sounds just awful. I wonder if the doctors considered doing t he right arm first before you lose anything more in that one? I'm sure they would if that were the right thing to do.

Damned insurance restrictions!!!! It blows me peabrain at how many things insurance does not cover. grrrrr

YOu have already been on my mind and know that I will definitely be sending out prayers for you a lot dear lady!

And also know that you are taking a group of us NT folks with you to surgery. Take care of yourself and I'll be looking forward to when you'll be able to post again.

Much love and hugs.

You said, "I know this issue is very minor compared to some here."

It's never minor when it's your personal issue. So glad you posted so you can benefit from the prayers and cheers from your board buds.

I hope you are able to get some good benefits from the surgery. My prayers will certainly include you. Be well, DejaVu.

I am very happy to hear from you both!

I had a severe reaction to a vaccination last week, quite unexpectedly, and... that put me suddenly out of commission (and out of sorts) in the few days I'd had so much to do before surgery!

Isn't that the way it goes, though? Lol!

I will go forward with surgery despite being far behind the eight ball on other matters.

We have to do the left hand/arm first, as it is getting worse each week!
The function is not good at all... but there is still a little left to lose there.

The right will wait awhile. I don't know how long. We will continue performing nerve conduction studies on the right in order to hold out as long as we can, without placing the right in danger of such extreme loss! Right now, despite symptoms of the same occurring on the right side, the testing does not pick up permanent damage on any level of the nerves in right arm/hand. (As the neurologist says: These can show up as permanent within testing any day, so we will have to remain diligent!)

Unfortunately, we cannot do both arms at once!

I thank you for your warmth, sincerity, concern and well wishes!!!

dear dejavu -
and so you are in my heart prayers...

I am grateful and honored to be included in your heart prayers!

(By the way, I am a fan of J. Reuben's work, too!
I will share more about this on your thread about this.. sometime soon!)

This NT communnity brings a smile to my face and great warmth to my heart and soul!

~With Deep Gratitude~

I just love your attitude!!
I too would like to say I will be holding you up in prayer.

Thank you for your kindness.

Thank you for your support in prayer (if you are feeling up to it).

I want you to understand this post means alot to me, especially considering all you are encountering these days, dear soul.

So...we will do our best to pray for one another?

With Deep Gratitude