Early On-Set Arthritis

Do you remember back in first grade when your teacher had a fit about holding your pencil correctly? The delinquent students even had to put a grip thing on the tip of their pencil that looked like a piece of play dough. I tried the "correct" way for a while, but then my rebellion against the man kick started in my little seven year old body, and I declared that I would hold my pencil however I felt like it! I switched up positions regularly and never had any problems. My high school English teacher senior year even took a picture of my hand because he said he had never seen someone hold a pencil that way, and he had a collection running of pictures of tons of students through the years (Side note: I hope that I never develop such a weird habit in order to make my life as an English teacher seem interesting).

Well, after writing hundreds of thank you notes (which unfortunately I have taken WAY too long to finish), I actually have a throbbing pain in the space between my ring finger and my little pinky on my right hand.

I can no longer pick up a writing utensil. I can hardly press the enter key on my computer without calling out in agony.

I guess I should have trained myself better in my youth, and instead of attempting independence from the rest of the written world, I should have humbly joined with those who used the play dough reform tool.

My punishment is an ice pack and a tylenol for the rest of the night.