Well, 2023 is nothing, if not, eventful.
During my breast cancer scare (November 2022 to January 2023), I also found a lump on my left hand. I waited until I’d had had my surgery and things were less stressful to have it looked at, as I wasn’t particulary worried about this one. I visited the GP and he ordered an ultrasound (Always get any new lump checked!)
Wednesday was scan day.
Again, the staff were wonderful and supportive. The technician (do radiographers do ultrasounds?) had the results checked by a doctor-on-staff who came back with a diagnosis of Dupuytren’s Contracture or Palmer Fibromatosis… (possibly related to the Focal Fibromatosis – not cancer! I’m still excited by that – removed from the left breast?)
Dupuytren’s Contracture is a thickening of the fascia (fibrous layer under the skin), and is benign, but progressive (thank goodness it’s in my left hand), which causes one or more fingers (usually ring and little finger) to curl towards the hand. Various sources suggest it’s a chronic inflammatory condition, possible a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disorder, related to rhematoid(?) arthritis, and possibly heriditary (so I’m asking around the family to confirm if Grandma had it as I don’t drink or smoke, or have other possible related causes).
You can see the two raised lines of thickening on my palm here.
This all explains why I’ve had some issues with picking up things with my left hand recently. I’d thought it was migraine (vertigo and depth perception issues) or fibromyalgia (fibrofog and chronic pain)- related.
So… I’ve made an appointment with my to GP to discuss my options going ahead. Research says it can affect doing tasks and therefore work options in the future. At least it’s my left hand, so I can still write!
(This post was posted as an early sneak peek for Patreon supporters on 23rd Feb)
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