It's been a little while since I've written about my arthritis. While the progression and the loss are (thankfully) slow, I'm noticeably worse off with each new year than I was in the previous.
In regards to my art, most of the accommodations I have made (and blogged about here) have minimized the discomfort and allowed me to focus on the creativity rather than managing the pain.
Outside of that, I get aches in my hips, shoulders, knees, and neck now. Deep aches that are easy to be distracted from during the business of the day but hound me at night. There are hot Florida nights where I sleep with a heating pad loosely wrapped around some body part. There are moments when I get up for a drink and hobble like an old man into the kitchen.
Even when playing video games (a hobby I realize I will also, regrettably, someday have to give up), I must adapt to the limitations of my hands and the strength left in my fingers. For example, I find now in many games where a selection of weapons are available I only use automatic weapons where I can just hold down the trigger to fire or high powered weapons like sniper rifles, where one shot does the trick.
I tell myself, "Celebrate. These are still the good years."
We need a miracle cure! Where's the nano meds? We must keep this man making art!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. Luckily, I believe I've found the miracle and it's Scotch whisky and dark chocolate (at least, that's the hypothesis I'm currently testing). Results pending.
DeleteI agree with the comment above, we MUST keep you making art!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could offer solace. I have it in my shoulders, and had to have a shoulder replaced damn near two years ago now. It's amazing what a bit of titanium can do, but I don't think they can do that with fingers yet.
Every year medicine will progress while every year, the arthritis will as well. Maybe it's a race.
Here's hoping you win!
Thank you, Kevin.
DeleteI actually believe I remember when you had that surgery, but must have forgotten that it was caused by arthritis. I'm happy to hear your augmentation was successful.
Here's to hoping. *clink*
I'll drink to that! The shoulder replacement was interesting. I've 0 cartilage left in either shoulder. The left was worse. They reshaped the ball and covered it with a titanium cap. They reshaped the socket and lined it with cadaver tissue which is attached with porous screws through the bone into the marrow--with the idea it will draw out stem cells. It's been 20 months since the surgery, I've regained 100% movement in my left shoulder--better than it's been since I was in my mid 20s. Strength is returning, but hindered by a very reluctant right shoulder and my general laziness. Still, I'm really, really happy with it.
DeleteI don't know what parallel progress has been made in hands--they're much more delicate and intricate joints, but the general progress is pretty amazing.
You're a good bit younger than me too, which might mean your recovery from any procedure would be quicker.
One warning to bear in mind. When I had the surgery, we had a 3 1/2 month old beagle puppy in the house. One day, about 4 weeks after the surgery, I was home alone, and the puppy grabbed a package of Sharpie markers. Visions of indelible markings and a call to poison control flashed through my mind. I reached to grab the markers, and he thought I wanted to play chase. Long story short, I got the markers from him, but at the expense of falling on my new shoulder! It set my recovery back about a month. I know you have dogs. Consider yourself forewarned.