A note: As I share my experience with removing my ganglion cyst, please remember that I am not a doctor or expert of any kind! I’m simply a mom who experienced this. I am sharing my story and all I learned in case it helps educate or provide solidarity to other moms who need it. Be sure to always consult your physician with any physical issues or concerns you may have.
The Story
I woke up on Thanksgiving Day in 2018 to an aching in my left wrist and hand. I have an embarrassing tendency to be a bit of a contortionist while I sleep, so I thought I had just slept on my hand wrong. The day carried on, and I shook it off and proceeded as normal, as it was my daughter’s first Thanksgiving, making it also my first Thanksgiving as a mom. I was in holiday mode, so I had no time for whatever was going on with my wrist.
As I went about my day prepping and making food, the aching in my wrist progressed and became more uncomfortable. I felt all around it and noticed a small, solid bump in my left wrist that didn’t exist in my right. After a quick consult with “Dr. Google,” I was able to identify that it was most likely a ganglion cyst.
Many other people shared their experiences online and stated how they were able to make it go away with the use of a large Bible. Yes, that’s as cringeworthy as it sounds: many have found success by “popping” their ganglion cyst by slamming a heavy object on it with force.
I admittedly tried this, and the cyst went down in size a tad, but it soon began to grow again. (It is not recommended to do this as it can create further issues with the affected joint, so be sure to not try this at home!) 
What is a ganglion cyst?
How is it possible to “pop” a ganglion cyst? Ganglion cysts are benign lumps filled with fluid that often form along a joint or tendon. They commonly pop up on the wrist, hand, ankle, and foot. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, about 60-70% of ganglion cysts appear on the front or back of the wrist, but they can appear on any joint in the body.
You may assume that a ganglion cyst would feel squishy or soft since they are full of jelly-like fluid, but this is not the case. They’re surprisingly solid! Especially if you neglect yours for five years; it’ll really solidify then.
There is a quick little at-home test you can do to determine if your bump is a ganglion cyst or something else. Hold a flashlight up to your bump and, if you can see through it, it’s full of fluid and more likely to be a ganglion cyst. If you can’t, it’s a more solid mass and unlikely to be a ganglion cyst. Make sure you always check in with your doctor and have them look at it, but it’s an interesting little test to try for yourself.
Ganglion cysts do not have one main cause, but a common reason for their formation is tendonitis in the wrist. Tendonitis is often referred to as “mommy’s wrist,” and some have referred to ganglion cysts as “mother’s wrist.”
Tendonitis is frequently caused by overuse in the wrist and hand joint, and we moms constantly overuse just about every limb we have, so it makes total sense. Injuries to a joint can make it more prone to develop a ganglion cyst, as well as overuse.
My Decision
As I began sharing my experience and documenting the cyst growth on social media and in real life, I had so many women sharing their stories with me (which were extremely similar to mine), as well as pictures of their own wrist cysts.
I noticed that most of these women were either mothers or women in career fields that require heavy use of their wrists and hands. There is a surprising amount of us ladies out in the world with ganglion cysts, especially in the wrist!
After five years of dealing with my ever-growing cyst, I finally decided to get it evaluated. At that point, my only option was to get it surgically removed, as it was too large and solid to be aspirated. Aspiration is one of the treatment processes for a ganglion cyst, and it involves draining the cyst with a needle and syringe. If you seek treatment for your ganglion cyst early enough, you will likely get to have this less invasive option.
For my ganglion cyst wrist excision, I went through the UAB Orthopedic Clinic and was so pleased with the care and results I received. We are truly blessed to have top-notch medical care in Birmingham!
My surgery was early on a Wednesday morning, and I was leaving the hospital by mid-morning. Usually, the surgery itself only takes 10 minutes, but mine took almost 45 due to the cyst being so intertwined and deep in my wrist. (Yet another reason to deal with your cyst sooner rather than later!)
Navigating Surgery and Recovery as a Mom
I had no complications other than nausea from anesthesia, which is common for me. As my wrist healed, it displayed new rainbows of discoloration each day, and it was a slower process than I expected. (I’m a type 1 diabetic, and we tend to heal slower than the average person.) However, now that I’m on the other side, I’m so glad I did it. (If you are interested in seeing a little of the healing stages, I inserted a few photos at the end of this post for your reference.)
I had no idea how much it was bothering me until I got it removed. I would frequently experience tingling and numbing sensations up and down my arm when I had my cyst and, since I got it removed, I haven’t had that sensation. I would manipulate the way I held things and completed tasks due to the cyst obstructing movement in my wrist joint. It even affected the way I would hold my babies.
I put off treatment and surgery for a while because I was anxious about recovering from surgery as a mom, but, as I reflect on the process, I’m so thankful I took the leap. It truly was just a little blip on the radar. It wasn’t “easy,” but it was definitely manageable with the right preparation and mindset.
Recovery Pointers
My biggest piece of advice going into surgery would be to do a lot of prep ahead of time. Make and freeze some meals, get your kids’ outfits set out for the first week, and clear lingering clutter. Doing basically anything that would take the immediate pressure off of you a bit would be beneficial to do in advance. That way, your partner or anyone else who is helping you during this time is set up for ultimate success (and hopefully they can bother you less)!
Prepping ahead of time will help you relax and rest better as you heal. When things are in order, it really just helps you have less to worry about while you recover. It would also be helpful for recovery if you make sure to have ice packs and pillows on hand so you can ice and elevate. Various cloth wraps, bandages, gauze, and medical tape will also support your wrist and stitches as you recover, especially around children. You will want to protect the area from the many unintentional bumps those tiny humans are capable of!
If you’re comfortable, let your child’s teacher know what’s going on at home, especially if your kid is younger. This can inform the teacher in case anything is different with your child, and it can provide context for new behaviors. I don’t know about you, but I’m typically the default parent as I’m a stay-at-home mom. During my recovery period, my husband ran the show in most areas so I could rest. There wasn’t much difference as we are equal partners, but it still threw my kids off a bit.
Letting my kids’ teachers know that things were different than usual at home helped them understand how to help my kids adjust, especially my toddler. Also, it helped the teachers understand what my 3-year-old meant when he said, “My mom’s hand had to get stitched back on.” (Never a dull moment.)
Involve Your Kids in the Process
To make things a little easier during your recovery, feel free to involve your littles in your healing. When I got my cyst removed, my kids were five and three years old. They were a little bit disturbed as they watched my swollen wrist/hand change colors, and my stitches really creeped them out. To ease their discomfort, I tried including them more in the process.
Once they understood the healing process a little more, they felt better about it. If I needed an ice pack, they were eager to grab it for me. They refilled my water bottle, brought me pillows to prop up my wrist, and sat with me to keep me company. Don’t be afraid to involve them; they might surprise you with how much they can and want to help!
Encouragements
As you consider embarking on this journey, I want to encourage you for a moment. Don’t be surprised if your recovery lasts longer than you thought it might. Everyone’s body heals at a different pace, and allowing your body to recover the way it needs to will be worth it in the long run. If they tell you not to lift things or wash dishes, listen to them! (The not-washing-dishes part was my favorite part of recovery. After all, you have to keep your incision and stitches dry.)
Your recovery will ultimately be a blip on the radar when you look back. It’s okay if the dishes aren’t caught up every day. Listen to your body along the way. Take the pain meds if you need them. If you’re a people-pleaser like me, sometimes rest is ridden with guilt. That’s another topic for a different day, but just remind yourself that resting now promotes ultimate healing results later. You’ll be back on your A game again soon!
YOU’VE GOT THIS!
It’s so interesting how wrist tendonitis and these ganglion cysts are seen more commonly in women and moms. What a tangible way to visualize all we do! Deciding to get surgery as a mom can be daunting, I know. Moms are people too, and you deserve to be feeling your best. Your family will hang in there while you recover, and this temporary time is an investment in yourself that you will be grateful for.
(Oh, and here are the gross pictures I mentioned earlier.)
