Happy 4th of July! I had to go back to the surgeon this week. The news was not good. He told me that i'm going to have to be in pain for the next 20 years until my joint deteriorates enough to be replaced. And when it does hurt, i'm supposed to take Aleve to "take the edge off".

Now...i am not trying to have surgery. In fact that's the last resort to me. I'd much prefer something like a cortisone shot...or voodoo. I don't really care at this point...as long as it feels better. I've been in pain for a year now...and the thought of hurting for another 20 years is just down right depressing. I'm a chemist and i work with my hands everyday. It's part of my job. On top of work...i like to play tennis, crochet, cross stitch, and scrapbook. These activities involve working with my hands. So having my hand hurt to the point where i can't do these activities or work for 10-15 days out of the month is just unacceptable to me. Surely there's got to be something that can be done.

I'm alright with not having surgery. And if i do in fact have to wait 20 years until my joint deteriorates "enough" (whatever that is) then can't i get some pain relief while i wait for the inevitable? I'm no doctor...but i don't think i'm asking too much. Honestly i feel like the surgeon thinks i'm just being a baby about my hand. I don't feel like he's taking me very seriously. So i think i'm going to seek a second opinion. I don't like doing that...but surely something can be done to at least control the pain. Right?