One day about a year ago, Aliyah liked something I did, and gave me a big thumb’s up. Only, her thumbs weren’t quite up. They hooked inward more than just a little bit. How had I never noticed that before? At the next doctor’s appointment I brought it up and learned that Aliyah had what is known as “trigger thumb.”
Apparently that’s what happens when the inner thumb tendons get aggravated and swell, locking the thumb in either the upward or downward position. Who knew? We could either have the thumbs operated on (a quick, easy surgery) or just live with the fact that she would never be a concert pianist.
Obviously, the second option was not an option. So this month we made an appointment and headed over to Primary Children’s Medical Center for the surgery. I have never been so impressed with a hospital. We had gone over before the surgery for a tour and little introduction to what surgery is like in the hospital. They did such a great job that on the day of the surgery Aliyah was not even afraid. She knew just what to do, just what would happen, and felt very in control of the situation.
When the anesthesiologist came to take her back to the O.R. (mom’s can’t go back there) I was more nervous than she was. She waved goodbye, held onto her blankie and the hospital buddy she had gotten on the tour, and went happily on her way.
An hour later she was in post-op, eating popsicles and sleeping of the anesthetic. The surgeon had even gone to the trouble to wrap her hospital buddy’s hands exactly the same as Aliyah’s.
Once she was more alert, they wheeled her out to the car in her own little wagon and got her situated in the car. She never complained once about her thumbs, or pain, or the stitches. She was such a trooper. And even if she never cares to become a concert pianist, at least she’ll have a fantastic thumb’s up!
