Severed Nerve Recovery Blog

Excellent new! I'm getting better at typing! Normally, I type around 70 or 75 words per minute, so I'm getting close to being just as fast as before. Even though my hand position is still a bit awkard, I'm really excited about this progress! Here's a typing test from today, about 5 months after my injury. Yay! April 3, 2018 And here's my typing test from about a month ago, just over 4 months after my injury. So much improvement! March 6, 2018

Yesterday, I had another appointment with my orthopeadic surgeon so he could evaluate my progress. The last time I saw him I couldn't extend my fingers or thumb at all so the first thing he asked me was if I could "do any new tricks." When I showed him that I could extend my pinky and ring finger he was genuinely delighted since that means that my nerve repair surgery was a success, which was never a guarantee. He was definitely happy for me, but I'm sure he was also pleased on a personal level since that means he did good work. Because I am still making progress, he said that there is no rush to do a tendon transfer and he is happy to continue seeing how things progress. We can basically wait until it seems like my functionality is no longer improving and then evaluate if we want to do the surgery. During my appointment I also asked him if I can start weightlifting with my right arm, which I really want to do because I feel like it's important to keep a...

My hand continues to improve, but there are still things I cannot do, including clapping and shaking hands normally. Most days, this doesn't mattter much, but I was recently at a conference for work where I met lots of people and where there was lots of clapping. I knew that would be the case so I had sort of been dreading the conference for weeks. I was having trouble imagining what it would be like to give awkward handshakes for 3 days straight. How exhausting was it going to be? Would people notice? What would they think of me? At the conference, I'm sure a few people noticed my handshakes, but I'm pretty sure no one noticed my clapping. I am also sure it shouldn't matter at all. Why should it matter that my handshake isn't perfect or that my clap isn't the most ideal. Who the hell cares? It doesn't influence my abilities or even my life most of the time. And yet, it's hard not to feel normal, even in these small ways, especially since I feel ...

I'm sorry work, you are not my main priority. I'm sorry house cleaning, you are not my main concern. I'm sorry world, I will not be stressed. All I will let myself care about is healing my body: sleeping eight hours, eating nutritious foods, working out, doing physical therapy, finding happiness, relaxing. This is all that matters right now.

I have amazing news! My pinky and ring finger have suddenly awoken and are no longer being giant lazy bums! But for real, I can now extend my pinky and ring finger, and I am so excited. This means that my nerve repair was a success, which was never a guarantee. Joy!!! Now the waiting game continues in hopes that my remaining fingers and thumb come back quickly before the muscles atrophy too much, and also in hopes that my injured muscles repaired themselves enough that I can use my hand. Let the [slightly more hopeful] waiting continue.

Hello everyone! Meet Turbo Arm! About a month ago my physical therapist made me this crazy custom brace, which I have taken to calling my turbo arm or bionic arm. The brace basically functions to pull the joint at the base of my finger up so I can extend my fingers and have more functionality. At first, I was hesitant to get the brace because it is rather giant and cost $300, but my physical therapist was insistent. I'm glad he was because I actually think the brace is awesome. I wear it between 2 and 4 hours a day (mostly at home or when I'm hidden away in my office) and it does help my hand function more like normal. Also, my physical therapist was telling me last Thursday that using the brace allows me to use my hand and fingers like I used to, which also prevents my brain from entirely remapping the use of my hand. Sounds kind of weird, but the nerve regrows so slowly that the brain can kind of forget how to use the hand like it did before. The brace will ho...

Improvement with my hand is slow, almost imperceptible, but as the weeks progress I find I can do more and more. Here are some things I can do now without a problem: Use chopsticks. I was pleased to learn this during a sushi dinner with Ryan in Berkeley. Thanks for the picture, Ryan! Use silverware Cut with a knife Write (!) Open bottles if the lid isn't too tight Carry things Braid my hair. I did this for the first time yesterday, and I was very excited. Put on makeup Put on a bra Strum the guitar. I am even starting to be able to fingerpick a little. Sleep normally with my arm tucked under the pillow the way I like it. Unlock a door with a key Tie my shoes These might seem like small things, but when I was able to do each one again, they seemed like big victories. Things are good!