Collect ALL the D-seases!!!
On Facebook last week, I mentioned that I seem to be collecting D-themed diseases. First diabetes, then depression. Now I have a third one to add to the mix.
During Penguicon, my wife noticed what looked like an elongated callus on my right hand, below the ring finger. (Spoiler: It’s not a tumor.) When it was still there two weeks later, I hopped online to do a little research, then went in to talk to the doctor. His diagnosis confirmed my guess, and the winner is…
That link goes to the Wikipedia page, which includes a post-surgical picture with incision and stitches, so don’t click if that kind of stuff gets to you.
Basically, some connective tissue in my hand is misbehaving, which starts to restrict the extension of the tendon. Right now, it’s just a little vertical speed bump on my palm. Eventually, it will restrict the movement of my ring finger, and I won’t be able to extend it beyond a curved, clawlike position.
I think of this soon-to-be claw as the first step in my very, very slow transformation into a werewolf.
The good news is that it’s not painful, and it’s fairly straightforward to correct. Basically, the doctor said to let him know when it starts to become a problem, at which point he’ll hook me up with a hand surgeon to go in and clean out the affected tissue. Six weeks of recovery and physical therapy, and I’m good to go.
Note: I’m not looking for medical advice.
Dupuytren is less common in people my age. I guess I’m just precocious. There seems to be a correlation to diabetes as well. And it sounds like there’s a decent chance of recurrence in the long run.
Compared to some of the medical complications I’ve seen friends and family deal with, this is little more than an annoyance right now. I am a little anxious about the eventual surgery, though. I’m a writer, which is a much easier job for me to do with functional hands.
Fortunately, I should have a little while–maybe a few years?–before that becomes necessary.
The silver lining: It looks like the surgery leaves a zig-zag scar on your palm, which means after I heal, I’ll be able to tell people I stopped a Killing Curse WITH MY BARE HAND!
EJC
May 17, 2013 @ 10:20 am
Perhaps this is the time to make plans for the future. Trouble with extremities and eyesight are both common with diabetes. If you start practicing with a voice typing program such as Dragon Naturally Speaking now, you will be in great shape should things go wrong.
Please do not think I am being pessimistic. I am just a strong believer in preparation.
My father lost much of his vision two years ago, which reduced his vision to less than 20%. The cause is still unknown. However he was and is still working as a consultant. Reading and writing are very important to his work since he mostly writes grant applications. While he was in the hospital investigating the cause, the people he consults for were upgrading his computer and peripherals. They didn’t want to lose him. He has a 69 inch monitor, Dragon for typing and another program which can read everything to him. He will retire at the end of this year, but the steps taken by his office allowed him to work for 2.5 years beyond the sight loss. Dad has since found how many of the documents and books in his field have been adapted for the blind. He is unlikely to learn braile at this point in his life, but the audio versions of the material he wants and much more is available.
Jim C. Hines
May 17, 2013 @ 10:27 am
Thank you, but as I said, I’m not looking for medical advice. I’ve been diabetic for 15 years now, and am familiar with the potential complications. My HBA1C is consistently good. I’ve watched my father handle diabetes for almost 40 years now, with minimal complications.
I’ve also watched friends with diabetes suffer from vision loss, kidney failure, and more.
Thanks for the concern, but the disease is currently under control, and I’m continuing to take steps to keep it that way.
pooks
May 17, 2013 @ 10:28 am
Zigzag scars = coolest D-sease evah.
But if you get your Hogwarts letter, I’m going to go hide in my cupboard and cry.
Annalee
May 17, 2013 @ 10:42 am
I’m glad it’s a treatable thing, but I’m sorry you have to deal with it. I hope it doesn’t interfere too much with your day-to-day activities.
On the lightning bolt scar, though, I think you’re shooting low. You ought to tell people you are ZEUS, KING OF THE GODS.
(He was kind of a jerk though. Harry Potter is a nicer dude. So maybe stick with that after all).
Joris M
May 17, 2013 @ 11:04 am
It runs in my family. Although I believe most people are/were too stubborn to seek treatment, although that might have changed.
Good luck with it.
Lila
May 17, 2013 @ 11:49 am
Stephen Maturin (of Patrick O’Brian’s Master and Commander series) is a fanboy of Dupuytren’s Contracture. So you’re in good literary company.
Seriously, best wishes for swift and uneventful treatment and recovery.
Pam Adams
May 17, 2013 @ 11:58 am
I think of this soon-to-be claw as the first step in my very, very slow transformation into a werewolf.
But, but, will you have to fight BigFoot?
Wendy Clements
May 17, 2013 @ 12:48 pm
Hi Jim,
Darn, when I had to have surgery on my elbow for ulnar nerve issues (caused by editing–we just won’t go there) that effected my pinky and ring finger on my left hand, I only had a scar on my elbow that I couldn’t see and now you can hardly see at all. It would make a messy superhero power, though, if I had to point my elbow at people, I’d probably hit sweet little old ladies in the face while fighting evil. Nice that yours will be on your palm AND a zigzag. I think the best part of PT is this melted wax thing that covers your hand with layers of wax (and always made me think of ‘Buckets of Blood,’ which my PT hadn’t seen so she didn’t know why it cracked me up so much) and then the wax gets taken off and your hand just feels all nice and relaxed. I even thought about getting one for home. Lol. For my hand, not for making art.
Personally, I think Bigfoot might like someone to pal around with after all these years of imposed exile. We do have a restaurant here, The Laughing Planet, that has a Sasquatch Salad. Even large furry forest cryptozoological creatures need their greens.
Best of luck!
Wendy
LaShawn
May 17, 2013 @ 1:39 pm
Well…you know what they say. Stuff like this always happen in ‘D’s.
::ducks for cover::
Goddess of Java
May 17, 2013 @ 1:42 pm
I’m glad it’s correctable, though sorry it’s happening.
FWIW, I totally feel for you when you say you’re not looking for medical advice. It keeps me from being forthcoming with friends and most family about my own health conditions.
Random Michelle
May 17, 2013 @ 3:00 pm
Oh! I know about that! My grandmother had it. She chose not to (couldn’t afford to, really) get it treated, and although it was on her dominant hand, it never caused her a lot of issues, other than the fact she couldn’t wear gloves–only mittens.
Let me tell you, in the 90s, there weren’t a lot of grown-up mittens out there.
Sally
May 17, 2013 @ 3:43 pm
I was thinking “dropsy”, but I’ve been reading a lot of historical stuff lately.
Jim C. Hines
May 17, 2013 @ 5:12 pm
D’oh!
Jim C. Hines
May 17, 2013 @ 5:13 pm
🙂
Laurie Robey
May 18, 2013 @ 6:39 am
I guess I’m just precocious.
Best line!
reader
May 19, 2013 @ 3:01 pm
D00d d00d d00d
That reminds me of something.
This isn’t medical advice, this is wishful thinking from when I was in elementary school.
What if schools had enough money to teach ALL their kids Braille and sign language and writing with your non-dominant hand too (teaching righties to write lefty too, etc.)?
Just in case?
So if later you lost your eyesight or hearing or a hand you wouldn’t be screwed AS MUCH? So if later you wanna talk with someone else who’s deaf, you can without someone interpreting (OK, unless that someone is talking in a foreign sign language instead, gotta remember ASL isn’t the only sign language)?
Elspeth
May 19, 2013 @ 10:24 pm
Hand surgery is so much FUN! You’ll be amazed at how much you use that finger. I promise you. Hope it takes a while for you to get to the point of needing the surgery, and that you heal up real fast when you do.
Only advice that I have to give you? Drawstrings and elastic. Before you go in for surgery, you stock up on cloths that you don’t have to mess with too much.
Susan
May 22, 2013 @ 8:32 pm
Viking’s Disease. At least you have something with a super cool name.
As a result of a car accident, I have a claw hand (fingers w/ about a 45+ degree curve) that no amount of surgery/therapy could fix. Yes, there’s pain and loss of function, but it’s surprising how quickly you can adapt to stuff like that. Compensation becomes second nature. Even tho I’m not a writer, I’m on the computer most of the day and have very little difficulty typing (even immediately after the surgeries). I’m not trying to minimize your situation, just providing some reassurance.
Best wishes.