Post your happy

Soapmaking Forum

Help Support Soapmaking Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Speaking of vaccinations...Public Service Announcement....have you had your tetanus booster? A friend of mine has been quite sick with tetanus the past 2 weeks so I'm on a mission to remind everyone. She cut her finger on a sharp can edge, and was either infected there or later when gardening. Her husband is a doc, so was able to recognize the strange muscle spasms, stiff neck, and dizziness as tetanus more quickly than most people might. We forget what life was like before tetanus shots, but in the 1940s, it had a 94% fatality rate! Immunization has all but eliminated illness and death--and even infection--from tetanus. I read that the US currently has about 60 tetanus cases per year...following population, that might mean that Canada has about 6 annually...and my friend is one of them??
Anyway, get your booster! It's been 13 years for me, it turns out...
 
My Happy:

My cast was removed on Tuesday. Apparently my body was regecting the pin that was stabilizing my thumb and although I felt as if the in had broken through the skin, I couldn't see it (due to the cast) and couldn't believe it because I had seen the huge head hoding it in place at the other end. Yet when the cast was removed, the pin WAS poking through the other side of my thumb and the head was pushed so hard against my thumb that it looked like a crater after it was removed from the pin.

Pin removal was painless, which I expected since 2 weeks prior when the pin was pulled back, that was also painless. There was a sort of a feeling of a pull toward the end of the removal, almost like a release of suction or a pop, although I did not really hear or feel that exactly. That the removal was pain-free is still surprising to me, because there are nerves in bone (they travel with the blood vessels) and I have had bone pain in other situations. It did hurt later, in an intermittent way sort but was easily subdued with Ibuprofen Acetaminophen. I do wonder how long it will take the bone to fill in where the pin was. I wish I could watch the progress of that process.

No more cast! I am so happy about that. Although I do have to wear a splint to stabilize the thumb and protect it, which is not totally comfortable, but can be removed as needed and I can get my hand wet to wash. I just have to be extremely careful with the thumb for some time to come.

I start therapy on Friday for both the thumb and the pinky finger. I did do a bit of exercise after washing the Povidone and dead skin off and let my skin breath for awhile yesterday. Not much, because even my wrist is weak from a month of immobility. The splint also prevents wrist mobility, so I am glad for the times without the splint and am really looking forward to PT 3 days per week.

My return doctor appointment is July 1st and when I asked if I can go to Alaska in July, the doc said yes. So that's another happy. Son & DIL & granddaughter asked me to go with them on vacation to Alaska in July. Hubby said he'd take care of Kitty Baby.
 
Last edited:
Started therapy for my hand yesterday and already I am very optimistic. My OT (it's not really PT, although that's what the doctor calls it - it's really Occupational Therapy) took a history, did and evaluation (some measurements, etc.), together we set some goals, and she is sure I'll be able to pack and unpack my own luggage and travel to and enjoy myself in Alaska in July. And drive with bilateral dexterity and make soap and prepare meals and all that other good stuff that makes up my normal Activities of Daily Living. I have a set of 5 exercises to do twice daily (at 10 reps per) and appointments for 3 visits per week for the duration.

Our first goal is to be able to brush Kitty Baby normally, using my right hand to hold the brush. Right now I cannot do that, let alone brush my own hair! I look a fright, BTW.
 
The adaptive nail clippers I ordered came today & I was able to trim, not only my fingernails, but my super-thick toenails as well. AND I was even able to use them with my post-surgical dominant hand without using my thumb AND without pain. They work so well. I am very pleased. Costly, but it's so good to finally have short nails that won't get in the way with everything I do and to be constantly aware how easily long nails can break at the worst possible spot, which two did this past week or two.

So today I can trim my nails, but writing is still pretty difficult, although with an adaptive device I can manage it, just not pain-free. I consider writing to be one of my hand/finger exercises, even though my OT did not assign it as a specific exercise. I intend to tell her that in the morning, since she is the one who have me the adaptive tool for putting around my pen/pencil.

ETA: Plus, while using my computer mouse, I am re-training myself to hold it using my thumb again. For so long I wasn't able to because of the cast. The thumb is still tender, but it's the more natural position, so I have hopes that the return to natural positions will help with the recovery. The other fingers like it better.
 
Last edited:
@amd' KimW' Dibbles .
Sorry for my late reply. Thank you for your input appreciated friend. 🤗💫.
This vaccination is scary' but getting Covid can be fatal' so I picked my poison w/ least side effects. Amd your symptoms sounded awful' glad you recovered fairly quickly.
I did have symptoms' right after injection hubby & I both felt tightness in our throat' I didn't want to tell him what i was feeling cause I didn't want to alarm him' just about the time I thought this he asked " what's the adverse symptoms"? my reply was well the symptom that can happen soon after injection is a allergic reaction' he asked what are they? my reply swelling in the throat that can continue & close off airway, this is why we are waiting 15 minutes. He quickly said my throat feels kinda tight' thats when I told him mine does too, Lets not get alarmed & stay calm' i'm sure it will subside. Luckily it did. the remainder of the day I felt great' picked up Grandson so he could go swimming, enjoyed Chinese Lunch, it was a nice afternoon no symptoms. but the next day I felt very tired' Hubby felt fine, as the days went buy I started having other symptoms' a burning itching feeling' then red tiny dots appeared ware i scratched' it looked similar to shingles, that had subsided after about 2-3 days. now I'm feeling great' not looking forward to Jab #2.
 
I have an orchid that did not winter well in my very cold bedroom! I lost the last bloom earlier this spring and prayed it would come back and today I have the first bloom with about 20 more buds, many of which are ready to burst open! That makes me very happy! 😍
That's excellent news! Since I recently received an orchid in full bloom I'm wondering how or if I will be able to get it to bloom again next year? What's your secret?
 
So i am cutting bak “bob marley” aka bougainvillea just now and i found this!!! Neat!!!! I am the keeper of the wildlife lol
75962836-0608-4EFB-A941-FBD0076A0E02.jpeg
 
Not for the first time, but again today my Occupational Therapist told me that making soap is very good therapy for my thumb and hand and that I should be doing it more.

Today I was able to turn the key in the ignition in a normal fashion, holding the key between my thumb & fingers, turn it the right to start the engine and not feel pain. Of course there is pressure and it's not yet totally comfortable, but it's the first time since my surgery I have accomplished starting my car normally.

Today I was able to clean off my soaping worktable without adapting my thumb and my hand in order to get it done. I was able to get it tidy without wearing out my hand to the extent that I had to go lay down and wear an ice pack. I am really happy about this progress!

And I am supposed to make more soap! How's that for therapy orders?
 
Last edited:
Not for the first time, but again today my Occupational Therapist told me that making soap is very good therapy for my thumb and hand and that I should be doing it more.

Today I was able to turn the key in the ignition in a normal fashion, holding the key between my thumb & fingers, turn it the right to start the engine and not feel pain. Of course there is pressure and it's not yet totally comfortable, but it's the first time since my surgery I have accomplished starting my car normally.

Today I was able to clean off my soaping worktable without adapting my thumb and my hand in order to get it done. I has able to get it tidy without wearing out my hand to the extent that I had to go lay down and wear an ice pack. I am really happy about this progress!

And I am supposed to make more soap! How's that for therapy orders?
Wonderful News. for the record I can't think of a better "Thumb Thearpy" Happy Soaping 🤗🧼👍🏼
 
Cuteness alert!!!! I somehow felt the urge to watch out for a new avatar photo, and browsed Commons for cute owl photos. Awwwww!! Sooo beautiful animals – sometimes attentive and curious (construed as stuck-up or sapient, by our human mimic standards). Sometimes tired, sometimes playful, sometimes diligent, sometimes attentive, sometimes lazy. They look clumsy, but they fly elegantly and inaudibly, and are unbeaten in their head rotation skills! Notoriously nocturnal. A true spirit animal.

I'll leave my second-favourite findings here for general amusement:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spotted_owlet_.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chevêchette_(114136663).jpeghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snowy_Owl_(8456435228).jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Athene_noctua_vidaliihttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Glaucidium_capensehttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/...rontera,_Cádiz,_España,_2015-12-08,_DD_03.JPGhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snowy_Owl_(8287904309).jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ferruginos_pygmy_owl.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/...obe_National_Park,_Botswana_(33770050492).jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bubo_scandiacus_Delta_6.jpg
Source of my previous avatar: File:Athene cuniculariaa.jpg - Wikipedia
 
Cuteness alert!!!! I somehow felt the urge to watch out for a new avatar photo, and browsed Commons for cute owl photos. Awwwww!! Sooo beautiful animals – sometimes attentive and curious (construed as stuck-up or sapient, by our human mimic standards). Sometimes tired, sometimes playful, sometimes diligent, sometimes attentive, sometimes lazy. They look clumsy, but they fly elegantly and inaudibly, and are unbeaten in their head rotation skills! Notoriously nocturnal. A true spirit animal.

I'll leave my second-favourite findings here for general amusement:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spotted_owlet_.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chevêchette_(114136663).jpeghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snowy_Owl_(8456435228).jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Athene_noctua_vidaliihttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Glaucidium_capensehttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/...rontera,_Cádiz,_España,_2015-12-08,_DD_03.JPGhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snowy_Owl_(8287904309).jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ferruginos_pygmy_owl.jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/...obe_National_Park,_Botswana_(33770050492).jpghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bubo_scandiacus_Delta_6.jpg
Source of my previous avatar: File:Athene cuniculariaa.jpg - Wikipedia
Such beautiful pictures "Snowy Owl" is my favorite. 🦉
 
I started on my new face mask and to my happy surprise, not only was I able to thread the needle (with the assistance of a needle threader), but I as able to cut the bone for the nose-bridge, cut the fabric (minimal cutting) AND hand sew a length of about 5 inches without pain.

I totally expected I would not be able to even manage to thread the needle, let alone sew without pain using my thumb to hold the needle while sewing. I quit after getting that much done to rest my thumb, but I am really pleased with this progress.

The last time I made a mask completely with hand-sewing, it took me some hours (I don't recall how many, but I'm thinking it was around 3 hours.) This time, I expect it will take a bit longer, but it looks like I can manage it and I am very glad about that.
 
I started on my new face mask and to my happy surprise, not only was I able to thread the needle (with the assistance of a needle threader), but I as able to cut the bone for the nose-bridge, cut the fabric (minimal cutting) AND hand sew a length of about 5 inches without pain.

I totally expected I would not be able to even manage to thread the needle, let alone sew without pain using my thumb to hold the needle while sewing. I quit after getting that much done to rest my thumb, but I am really pleased with this progress.

The last time I made a mask completely with hand-sewing, it took me some hours (I don't recall how many, but I'm thinking it was around 3 hours.) This time, I expect it will take a bit longer, but it looks like I can manage it and I am very glad about that.
Yay wonderful news.
Here in Ca. they lifted the mandatory mask requirement, But it was a fleeing moment of bliss' once again mask are required indoors of Business's, Restaurants & Such.
 
Back
Top