United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Well I just had what will hopefully be one of the last in a long line of surgeries. Dr. El Hassan at the Mayo Clinic transfered my tricep to my bicep in order to hopefully get some flexion in my arm, and then did a ton of work on my hand to try and get some kind of usable grip with it. He fused the wrist, loosened the fingers into a better position, and then he transfered the one or two working tendons that allows my wrist to bend, to my fingers so I may be able to mildly open and close my hand. I'll have better details after my follow up appointment. All in all it was a much bigger surgery than I intended and I was under for about 10 hours. It's been a pretty painful couple of days but I am excited to have the cast off in a few weeks and see what's going on under there. If they look good I will post pics of the results.

Yahoo Angela!! PLEASE keep us posted on your recovery. Hand surgeries are new to me, so I am very interested in how it all goes for you. Thanks.
HUGS too, 'Cause HUGS HEAL!!!!
"Gramma" Carolyn J
LOBPI/72

Glad you are recovering, despite the pain!

Thanks ladies!
I thought I'd keep posting picks of the different stages so that you all can have some kind of idea of what this kind of surgery means.
This is the splint/cast I came out of after surgery. As you can see it looks like they grafted Arnold Schwarzenegger's arm onto me. It actually had to be suspended above the bed in the hospital. It's supposed to be held very high in the brace, near my collarbone, but I find it's too heavy and hard on my back. The first week was pretty painful but now in the 2nd week I am feeling better every day. 2 weeks from surgery I get to go back and get a cast that is hopefully smaller and lighter. I'm kinda excited to pick the color.

Thanks for your update with pictures, Angela.... keep on keepin' on & have a FUN pick with your colors, it makes wearing more bearable,mine does..[brace that is, not cast... lol].
Hugs,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/72

Well I got a normal cast today and it is so much lighter. Life is much easier now. My hand and wrist had a ton of stitches that were removed. I had a lot for the tricep to bicep work too. I can tell immediately that it has been succressful and was flexing a little until Dr,Elhassan told me to stop it.......heheheh. The hand and wrist are still quite swollen and it will take longer to see some of the results. All in all I am very pleased and almost can't wait another four weeks to get the cast off. I will post pics tomorrow when I am less tired.

good to get your update, i'm looking forward to your "pics"...kerep up the posts on your progress.
HUGS,
Carolyn J

keep us posted

Took A little longer but here are the pics. My hand looks a little scary but it's still swollen. In 4 weeks I get the cast off and I can't wait. It's amazing that Dr. E has now operated on me from the shoulder to the fingertips. He's doing a great job so far lol.

Pretty Cast, Angela! pretty casts really help heal.
HUgs,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/72