Thumb arthritis stole my ability to grip a coffee mug without wincing, but it also taught me to adapt and thrive. In Healing Hands: Understanding Surgery, Recovery, and Prevention, I, Merry Lockwood, a retired RN, share the emotional and practical challenges of losing hand function—and how I rebuilt my life with clever tools and a resilient mindset.
The pain started after years of typing as a case manager. It was a slow burn that worsened until my thumbs screamed after a workday. Diagnosed with CMC joint arthritis at 63, I faced a trapeziectomy, a surgery that sidelined my dominant hand for 12 weeks. Recovery was a maze of limitations. Brushing my teeth felt like solving a puzzle, and folding laundry was a distant dream. The emotional toll hit harder. A month post-surgery, I slipped into a dark place, my existing depression deepening. As a nurse, I recognized the signs and reached out to my counselor, a lifeline that reminded me to share my struggles.
Adaptation became my superpower. Left-handed scissors transformed kitchen prep, letting me chop vegetables without pain. Voice-to-text software saved my wrists while writing Healing Hands. A wedge pillow kept my hand elevated, easing swelling, while elastic laces made slip-on shoes a breeze. I swapped shampoo bottles for pump dispensers, a small change that simplified showers. These hacks, detailed in the book, restored my independence. My occupational therapist’s mantra—use finger pads, not tips—reshaped how I gripped tools, reducing joint strain.
Mental health was as vital as physical recovery. Open talks with my husband prevented caregiver burnout, and lowering expectations, like letting dishes pile up, eased stress. I began using my non-dominant hand for pouring coffee or opening doors, a habit I’ve kept to protect my recovering thumb. Pain became my guide: if my hand ached, I’d overdone it. Recovery wasn’t linear—two steps forward, one back—but patience paid off.
Healing Hands captures these lessons, blending my RN expertise with raw honesty. From managing nerve pain to navigating dependency, it’s a guide for anyone facing hand pain. My story proves you can thrive despite limitations, whether you’re recovering from surgery or managing chronic pain. The book offers tools, from dictation apps to ergonomic knives, and emotional strategies to keep you grounded.
Don’t let hand pain define you. With the right adjustments, you can reclaim your daily joys. Healing Hands is your companion, offering practical solutions and hope for a brighter, pain-free future.
Are you struggling with hand pain? Get Healing Hands for adaptive strategies and emotional support to thrive through recovery.
Order your copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6792CD6.
About the book:
Healing Hands: Understanding Surgery, Recovery, and Prevention by Merry Lockwood, RN, BSN, CDCES, is a compassionate and insightful guide for anyone navigating hand-related conditions like arthritis, carpal tunnel, or repetitive strain injuries. Drawing from her 30-year career as a registered nurse and her personal journey with thumb arthritis, Lockwood offers a unique blend of professional expertise and patient perspective. The book chronicles her experience with CMC joint arthritis, from diagnosis and trapeziectomy surgery to a challenging 12-week recovery, while providing practical strategies for preparation, adaptation, and prevention. With heartfelt advice on managing physical and emotional hurdles, using adaptive tools like left-handed scissors and voice-to-text software, and protecting hand health in a digital age, Healing Hands empowers readers to maintain mobility and thrive.
