The Hand That Holds The Suction

As most of you already know, back in May 2007, I developed a "problem" with my right wrist. I say "problem" since we don't exactly know what is wrong. When I went to see the doctor about it, my family doctor, who is just the best doctor I've ever had in my life so far, was away on holidays unfortunately, so I had to see his college, a female doctor, who is just the worst possible doctor I've ever had the misfortune to meet! And I'm not the only one who thinks that. Her reputation precedes her and not at all in a good way if you know what I mean. But I had no choice!

She looked at me, touched my arm here and there and concluded that my wrist was.....get this "too skinny" and her solution was to.....no, not to rest it, on the contrary, to use it more, as much as I can, and to do exercises with it. Now, the exercise part I kind of understand, but then again, isn't work exercising it and using it? It would make sense to rest it as much as possible when not at work, no? Anyways, she prescribed some sublingual anti-inflamatories for a week and gave me an arm brace to wear. I took the pills which helped a little with the pain and tossed the brace at the bottom of my medicine cabinet. I then submitted myself to daily massages administered by my non-licensed husband using a special balm which was recommended to me by a couple of well-wishers, I took some time off work and rested my hand as much as possible and wore a sports bandage around my wrist at work when I did go back. I also cut one day off my work schedule.

It worked. My wrist got better. But it never healed completely. It still acts up now and again. A simple thing like buttoning up my jeans or holding a wine glass can set it off. I had learned to be careful with it and learned to use my left hand as much as possible. I wasn't too worried, thinking I still had one good hand and that was fine. Well, that hand is now starting to act up as well. It's the hand that holds the suction. Unlike many in my profession, I never got into the habit of leaving the suction hooked onto the patient's cheek. I hold it instead and use it to retract as well as suction. This proves challenging at times especially when patients have strong cheeks and tongues which push against me. And it's taken its toll now.

Now I am worried, ... a bit. I really don't want to end up with both wrists kaput. So I'm taking matters into my own decrapped hands cuz there will be no dropping the baby on its head! Because, hopefully and with God's blessing, the hand that holds the suction today will one day be the hand that rocks the cradle.