This is my latest piece of jewelry … actually my only piece of jewelry.  I’ll leave it up to you to figure out what body part it should adorn …

…

Done guessing?  Here’s your answer:

I went to see Naomi yesterday.  She’s an occupational therapist, someone who sells or makes braces for hands.  My right thumb is weak with arthritis and it’s hard to hold my cello bow.

I had been given a hard plastic and fabric brace last week but it didn’t work.  I could only play for five minutes until the pain and loss of grip took over.

Naomi said that one joint of my thumb hyperextends and will continue to weaken until I immobilize it.  “It’s time to think outside of the box.”  I imagined her saying “Have you considered jewelry?” but that didn’t happen.

Anyway, consider Exhibit A:

I’ve often demonstrated my unusual thumb angle to friends in the spirit of “See how cool I am?” but Naomi told me to say goodbye to that attempt at humour.  Instead I’ll start wearing the brace three hours a day and work up to maybe twelve.

It’s an experiment, and I’ll report the results next Thursday. The demo brace Naomi gave me was too small but if it’s working she’ll make one for me that fits.

Meanwhile, later yesterday I had my group cello lesson with Lieven.  Would it be a thumbs up or a thumbs down?

Up! I could play for fifteen minutes at a time before my dear thumb needed a rest. Oh … I love progress.

***

I moved from Canada to Belgium

The task continues to be huge

And someone immense is holding me