Ohio we have a problem...

2/20/14

My hand was shipped back to Ohio yesterday...sad face

The pointer finger has been getting stuck and not working properly since I received the hand, so I had to send the hand back to its mother ship for surgery.

I'm really bummed about this because initially I had the motivation to wear it out in public and try new things and learn new ways to do things.  Now that I have not been using it, I'm afraid that I will lose this motivation.  Ugh!

The Hanger Center said it would be a couple of weeks before I get it back...boo

So I will still probably be crushing Starbucks cups the next time you see me with the hand...but please know that it's not my fault! I will STILL be learning   :)

Please say a prayer for my hand that we would be reunited soon.

Love to all :)

I Wanna Hold Your Hand...

This past weekend was a pretty good one! Even though my pointer finger is still malfunctioning (my appointment is not until next week), I was still able to don it and use it.

On Friday night the hubs and I went to Shorebreak Pizza. I can't stay away from there. Their philly cheese steak is just too good!  I wore my hand the whole time!

Then we went to the River Room just down the street to hear our good friends Kerri & David sing for a coffee house show. They sounded awesome! I love hearing them sing together.

This was the first time showing them my new hand. The first thing Kerri asked me was "can I hold your hand?" I don't think she realized how much this meant to me.  You see, no one has really ever wanted to hold my hand before. People were usually repulsed by it or just scared of it. Dating was kind of a nightmare so it was a good thing I didn't do much of that. My husband was the first guy (other than my dad) that didn't mind holding my hand. That's how I knew he was the one for me! :)

So she was the first person I shook hands with. I'm still learning to do that so hopefully I will do better next time!

Sam is so funny. He always wants me to squeeze everyone's arm and ratchet down on them. Yes, my new hand ratchets! He's like "let her give you a squeeze!" LOL

I am still gaging my own strength. Step by step...little by little...inch by inch...I WILL get the hang of this!!!

Love to all :)

Group Shot!

I have been remiss...
Nate (one of the guys at Touch Bionics) sent me a group photo from the day we left.
Here it is:

So the gentleman on my left is Mr. Mitchell from Brooklyn. And the young guy on my right is Derek from Cleveland.  These were the 2 guys who were with me all week getting their hands. The tall guy in the white shirt with the goofy faces is my OT Steve Martin.

Ok...let me just go from left to right.

I don't know everyone's name because some of the employees do the behind the scenes stuff.

 

Back Row starting on the left: Guy whose name I don't know, but he helped build my hand; Steve Martin like the actor OT, 2 ladies behind me worked in the office not sure of their names but they brought yummy lunches everyday; Jeremy who is hiding aka Steve Wosniak prosthetist; Jeremy who helped build my hand.

 

Front Row: Lindsey OT, Mr. Mitchell, Moi, Derek

 

Don't you love our Jazz hands photo??!!

 

These people love their jobs and it really shows. They get to take these pictures every week! :)

 

I am so thankful for all of them and all of their hard work!

 

My hand is one week old today.  I think it might need a name...hmmmm

 

Happy Friday to everyone!

Feb 5 Hair Dos and Happy Hour

So I tried blow drying my hair with a round brush today holding the blow dryer with my new hand...and it worked!!!! I will have to work on my form a little bit but it is so much easier now. Hooray!

Finger update: my pointer finger has been malfunctioning. It hasn't been moving like the other fingers so I'm taking it in next week for a checkup. I know what you're thinking...yes I've only had it for a week...and no it's not my fault! Haha

Tonight I am going to happy hour with some of my current and former coworkers. Trust me when I say that we need this happy hour!

It has been a rough week and it's only Wednesday! 

I'm looking forward to holding my drink with my new hand. Hopefully I will not spill it in someones lap!

Hope y'all are having a better week than I am :)

Later on...

Just got back from Shorebreak...fun times with my friends and coworkers. I got to show off my new hand and lack of skills. LOL! There were a lot of requests for the middle finger and of course I had to oblige. I'm sure our server thought I was nuts.

My friend Ellen let me hold her wine glass. She is a brave woman! :) I did not drop it but had a hard time letting go, but let's face it...it's always hard to put down wine.

I really am blessed to have people around me cheering me on and encouraging me! This was a perfect end to a day that didn't start so well. My heart is full...and my belly.
Good night :)

Yesterday...First day back at work

So yesterday was my first day back at work after my trip. It was quite a blur of catching up. I didn't use my hand the whole day because my shoulder gets sore and I found that I can type faster without it. Funny huh?

People were interested to see it and I got to show it off a little. But it was a little stressful as I was trying to keep the same pace that I normally have, but my new hand slowed me down some.

And on top of that, our beloved office manager retired and we don't have a replacement yet so her duties have been divied up to the rest of us which equals more stress. But this too shall pass!

Last night I attempted to play Jenga with the hubby. The only problem with that is that I hadn't charged the hand in 2 days so the pointer finger got stuck. LOL. So it was a short game :)

I am going to the Hanger Clinic in Norfolk today to sign paperwork and show my doc my new hand since he hasn't seen it yet.

Have a great day everyone!

I'm home!

Hi everyone!

I'm finally home!!!! It is so good to sleep in my own bed and to be back with my hubby and fur baby.  Wow what a trip!

So I am easing into being back with a new hand. I am trying to take it slowly and not push myself too much.

Today we went to Starbucks so I could practice putting the sleeve on my coffee cup...and to get coffee of course! Well my first attempt was almost a disaster as my grip was too strong and I popped the lid of the drink.  Only a little spillage though!  My hubby helped me reposition and try again. He is so patient! I found that if I grip the cup just to stabilize it, then I can pick it up with my left hand and slide on the cardboard sleeve.  The paper cup is just too easy to crush...or maybe I don't realize my new found strength! LOL

I'm pretty sure I had an audience by the time we left the Starbucks.  That is what makes me the most nervous...people staring. I know they will stare, and I hope they think the hand is cool instead of freakish.

Millie Belle is still a little unsure of the hand.  It makes noise so I think she is more afraid of the noise. But she will adjust.  She did lick my fingers today so that pretty much means that she likes it. :)

I'm nervous about going back to work tomorrow but it will be good to see my coworkers. I know I'm being hard on myself but I feel like I should have a better handle on using my new hand...but it will take some time. Step by step...

Stayed tuned for more shenanigans with my new hand... :)