Ten Things That Suck About Having Weak Hands (and How I am Dealing With it)

I must be spending too much time online these days as I find myself thinking of top-ten lists for posts. But why not, they are kind of fun. So here is one that has been rattling around my brain for a few days: 10 things that suck about having weak hands. My focus is normally my legs and quest to get out of my wheelchair. Really, if I could do that and see no other improvements, I would be ecstatic. However, there are days and times when having really weak hands is very annoying. Here's why:

1. It is nearly impossible to open new screw-top bottles and jars. Using a little rubber jar-opening aid helps.
2. It is nearly impossible to open a can with a lift tab - pop, beer can, tuna, you name it. I forget this frequently and end up bringing my lunchtime V8 or pop home with me. The best way to deal with this is to ask someone else to do it for me or to deftly use a flat head screwdriver to help. I have managed to open the odd can on my own, but am a little worried about spilling if my attempt goes awry.
3. I need to drink using two hands for fear of dropping my beverage. It looks really silly to two-hand a pint glass or coffee mug, but I do it.
4. My handwriting is even worse! Who knew that was possible? I am trying to fix this by joining the adult colouring book craze and also by writing and re-writing lists each day.
5. Picking things up or putting them down with one hand is dicey. This is similar to #3 and my solution is the same - use two hands, even if it looks a little goofy.
6. It is hard to squeeze. Toothpaste, shampoo, lemon slices, clips, childproof caps - all can be tricky. I can squeeze the toothpaste and shampoo using my right hand but not my left. Lemons and limes can either be pre-stabbed/cut for easier squeezing or someone else can lend a hand. My night splints and transfer belt both have plastic clips that require squeezing to release. I can manage the splints with the good ole two-handed approach but am not yet able to undo my transfer belt. I employ a gripper and silly putty to help regain this strength.
7. Measuring while holding a spoon or measuring cup is not a good idea. First of all I have to switch my hands (hold the receiving vessel in my left hand, pour with my right). Secondly it is likely that I will drop or spill the measured amount as it becomes heavier. Just not a good idea all around.
8. Buttons, hooks and snaps are not friendly. This boils down to dexterity more than strength. My fine motor skills are just not great at the moment. Elastic waist pants (I basically live in yoga pants now and am not sure I will ever give them up), patience, avoidance, and asking for help when all else fails is the way to go here.
9. It's harder to use dumbbells for my upper body as my hands and wrists limit the weight I can lift. I spoke with my physio about this and she suggested wrist weights around my forearms. I don't have any yet but am going to try with my ankle weights. This will at least allow me up to 10lb bicep curls and shoulder presses.
10. I'm even more dropsy and clumsy than normal. And I'm normally pretty clutsy! For this I need to constantly remind myself of my number one rule - Don't rush. Anything. And never, ever multitask.

I'm sure these will improve over time. I'm really not all that discouraged about it and know it could be a lot worse - just getting it out there.

 In other news...

I had another pretty good week below the waist (minds out of the gutter!). It was IVIG week and my physio decided on Monday that I should swing by each day if I wanted to go for 'a quick walk' following my treatments. This is in addition to the 3 sessions we already had booked. I will never turn down a chance to put weight through my legs, so this is great. We will continue this routine whenever I have IVIG and am in the hospital already. I did not have any major breakthroughs but can certainly tell that strength is returning. My legs were tired today and happy to have a bit of a rest.

I did notice that I'm starting to do things without really noticing (if that makes sense). For example, we were watching a movie in bed and I looked down to see that I had crossed my right leg over my left. Now, this is a normal and comfortable position for me but I can't remember the last time I crossed my legs! Once I noticed I had to uncross and cross them again about 5 times before I believed it. I tested this a bit further and found that I could sit in the  lotus position. Feeling inspired, I threw caution to the wind and rolled over to try getting on all fours for some cat and dog yoga movements (this may sound really weird to those of you who don't do yoga - trust me, it isn't weird at all). Wouldn't you know, it worked! Not as smoothly or naturally as I would normally find it but not bad at all. I took about 10 nice long breaths while settling into a mini bed yoga practice (with the new Star Wars on Netflix on the TV and Scott and Barney looking at me like I'm a little nutty). I'm not entirely surprised that my flexibility is good. I have always been flexible and am spending even more time stretching these days. Maybe flexibility is all that is needed for what I did tonight, but I think it is a little more than that. The act of lifting and crossing my leg unassisted was certainly not possible even a few weeks ago. I'll mention it at physio on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!