My Thumb: One Year Later

One year ago today, my life changed. 

I still remember the excitement as we traveled to the hospital. Everyone who entered my hospital room knew that I was getting a thumb. The day was emotional. Going into surgery, I didn’t know if I would come out in better or worse shape. It was definitely a step by faith. 

Now one year later, my thumb helps me in ways that I can’t even explain.  Being able to grip the steering wheel with my left hand enables me to give my right hand a break and be able to drive longer without pain. Now I can open things, especially doors, with my left hand. While the use of my left hand is not completely automatic, I still find myself using it more and more. It has helped to relieve my pain tremendously. That in itself has been such a blessing.

Now, I’m going to share something with you that may surprise you. My thumb did not turn out entirely like I wanted. I don’t have very much feeling in it. Sometimes I forget that it is there and I injure it. I’ve stubbed it and stabbed it numerous times. As long as I’m thinking about it or looking at it, I can make it move. Otherwise, it doesn’t move on its own. Also, the center part of my hand gives me trouble because of the shape of the bone and the design of my hand. The bone actually presses on the palm of my hand and causes it to swell and be sore most of the time. One year later, I still can’t move the joint in my thumb nor hold a weight comfortably with my hand.

I am sharing this with you because things don’t always turn out like we expect. In order to get my thumb to function better, I would need another surgery or two. The thought of going through the pain and rehabilitation process again is overwhelming. So is the financial aspect of that type of surgery. 

So I have two choices, I can either whine about the problems with my hand or I can be grateful for what God has blessed me with. In my heart, when we add it all together, the good and bad, I am so incredibly grateful for the things I can do with my thumb. Even when it hurts, I am grateful because, praise my God, I have a thumb. I will not allow the devil to steal my joy. While it wasn’t everything I wanted in my mind, in my heart, it is so much more than I had ever hoped for and more than I even deserve. I still cry when I look at it and think about the blessing God has bestowed upon me. Going throughout my day without the tremendous physical pain has opened a new world to me. My whole life I had been told that nothing could be done to help me, and then God intervened on my behalf. He has helped me— despite the circumstances. 

He understands our tears. He saw me struggle every day. He knew my situation completely, and He helped me. He doesn’t forget our prayers. He bottles them up and when the time is right He answers them in His way. And it is always to our benefit. 

Romans 8:28 (KJV)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Even though my thumb doesn't function exactly like I wanted it to, I can still use it. God can take the smallest, simplest thing and bless it to help us greatly. That is what He did for me. My thumb is a daily reminder to me that God still performs miracles, and when we open our eyes and search for them we will find them everywhere. 

Love and blessings, 

Candida