The Measure of a Thumb

What is the measure of a thumb?  I never realized how important a thumb really is, even the one on my left hand.  Let me tell you it is mighty important.  It is much more than an appendage a few inches long.  If your thumb doesn’ t work the rest of the hand is basically useless too.  I am finding as the days move forward that I am having a harder time with this than I first anticipated.  Maybe as healing occurs  things will improve. I hope so! I am really one handed still.  I am still fighting the swelling.  Swelling in a cast is painful!  I spend much more time than I would like with my hand elevated.

I cannot carry anything in that hand.  I can barely hold anything.  Even though my four fingers are free, they are basically useless too.  What little they can do the cast often gets in the way.  They do help with typing a little when the cast doesn’t nail the space bar over and over again.  Aside from t hat, when putting much pressure on those fingers, the rest of my hand pulls and as we all know, the thumb is connected to the hand.  Pain shoots through straight to my thumb.  I cannot open jars, cans, baby bottles, sippy cup lids, or medicine bottles unless it can be popped off. I am finding it nearly impossible to multi-task in the kitchen.  I can only hold the little one in my good hand because letting her sit on my casted hand HURTS!

And sadly, for vanity’s sake…..  I am learning to wash my hair one handed but have yet to find someone who can place it decently into a pony tail for me.  Getting dressed is even an ordeal.  I do not wear many short sleeved shirts during the Alaskan winter.  My small wardrobe has become even smaller.  What can I fit over this cast?

Ok, I really am not whining here.  I am so very thankful it is not any worse than it is.  The Lord spared me from having to endure surgery.  I am simply trying to point out some of the struggles that have taken me a bit by surprise.  I feel as if I am not fulfilling my duties around here.  I am just not physically capable of doing some of these things and to be completely honest, it is driving me crazy!

SO what is the measure of a thumb?  To me the value of that little seemingly insignificant thumb really has become immeasurable.  Once again I am amazed at how something so small can make such a large impact.