I Have a New Thumb Joint Celebration Sale

You might have noticed me complain once or twice (or a gazillion times) about the arthritis in the joint at the base of my thumb. On Wednesday I had the offending little bone removed, and replaced with a wad of tissue taken from one of my tendons. This should last longer than I do, and I'm so excited about regaining full use of my right (dominant) hand!

For now though I'm sprawled on the sofa, my hand wrapped in many layers of bandages and a rigid brace, enjoying a nice pain pill buzz. Typing this short post is probably the only constructive thing I'll do today, so I've decided to have a sale.

Shop at my Etsy shop between now and Friday, June 19--the day I get a new rigid but removable brace--and save! Just type "NEW THUMB" in the comments to seller box during checkout and I'll either send you a revised invoice or refund your overpayment.

Buy 1 item, Save 10%
Buy 2 items, Save 15%
Buy 3 items, save 20%
Buy 4 items, save 20% and get FREE shipping
Buy 5 or more items, save 20%, get FREE shipping and a free GIFT

Torture, Ed Sullivan Disease, and a Giveaway

My right hand doesn't work correctly, and the pain and fine motor control has been getting a lot worse over the last couple of months. Enough so that I finally broke down and made a doctor's appointment. This has snowballed into many appointments and tests, and the past two weeks have seemed like near constant medical events. We've determined that I have some arthritis, miserable but common so no big deal.

They're still trying to figure out the rest of the puzzle, and at one point a doctor mentioned Ed Sullivan disease. It's real name is Ankylosing Spondylitis (try saying that three times fast!), and it causes your spine to curve and your neck to stiffen to that you have to turn your torso in order to look right or left. I don't think I have that, and besides, I don't want to spend my remaining days saying things like "rillly big shew."

Yesterday's tests were, officially, valid medical tests: a nerve conduction test and a needle EMG. The doctor seemed like a pleasant, soft-spoken sort when he introduced himself. As he started sticking needles in my hand and zapping me with electricity, I swear he morphed into Jack Bauer. I keep having flashbacks to the scene where Bauer rips a lamp from its electrical cord so he can use the exposed wires to shock some poor guy into confessing some horrible crime or other. (If you don't get this and haven't seen 24, it's time you visited Netflix.)

I left the doctor's office totally and completely traumatized, and with the knowledge that I'd give in to torture before it even started. After sleeping for 14 hours I'm still feeling the effects and am about ready for a nap. But let's move on to the happy part of this!

I love how you've all jumped in and left opinions on my Little People post! I feel like spending more time reliving my childhood right now, and it seems as though many of you are ready to join me. I have (left over from my years working in publishing) an extra autographed copy of Marianne Gingher's How To Have a Happy Childhood. It's a sweet little gift book I worked on some years ago, just the thing to bring back memories of a simpler and less-tortuous time.

To enter my Happy Childhood giveaway, leave a comment on this post telling me about your favorite childhood toy by September 18. Earn an extra entry by blogging about this giveaway, linking back to this post, and leaving a second comment directing me to your post. Make sure you leave some way for me to reach you if you're the winner. Open to bloggers and non-bloggers world-wide. On September 19 I'll use the randomizer thingie and choose a winner. I'm off to take that nap now. Good luck!