PATIENT

Shortly after returning home from the USA, Tom had to have surgery on his right hand.  Tom has a condition that is associated with Type 1 Diabetes called Dupuytren's Contracture.  He grows nodules on his palm and fingers.  These nodules if left alone will compromise the joints of the fingers and eventually cripple the hand.  So they need to be removed however, you can't just open the hand surgically anytime without the worry of infection.  Expert hand surgeons try very hard to time the surgeries when they are absolutely necessary.  In the last 18 years of marriage, Tom has had the left hand done twice and the right once.

Since marrying Tom 18 years ago, surgery has become one of our life's adventures.  Many times they are routine and some times they are not.  He is very accustomed to going under the knife and I am STILL a massive worrier.  I stress myself out with worry and he is very calm, collected with modern medicine and surgeons.  Maybe it is due to his line of business but, I am glad that one of us can remain so calm.  But, it should probably be the caretaker that is offering support and positive thoughts. I need to work on this....

The surgery went very well and the surgeon is very happy with the results.  In the past with his left hand he had about 180 stitches in his palm and about 20-40 stitches on each of his fingers.  It was ghastly looking but healed pretty quickly.  This time around his hand will be healing for quite a well due the fact that they could not close the incision on his palm.  The right palm had quite a bit of scar tissue under the top layer of tissue and so the doctor was not able to close it.  Apparently it will heal itself from the inside out....see what I mean about things not always being routine. We don't like ordinary in this house.  We strive for extraordinary or RARE!

Tom is a very busy, hardworking guy.  He likes to be active (no couch potato here) and the thought of sitting on the couch/bed for entire week following hand surgery is like torture.  He would much rather be burning the candle at both ends than being confined to a bed.  Needless to say this last week has been difficult on both of us.  Retirement will probably never be part of HIS future even if he is just a ranger at a golf course.

I am so grateful for modern medicine.  I am grateful for skilled surgeons who perfect their craft so that they can help us to life longer and with FINE working parts.  I love my Tommy and I am very grateful that he is able to have tune-ups from time to time.  I wish I was not so familiar with hospitals and surgeons but, he is definitely worth the WORRY.

12 days later and his hand is feeling much better.  He has a long way to go but, he is smiling.