Me and Dup

I spotted him in church this morning. I know he has Dup because his wife had told me a few weeks ago. He’s older than me and has been in the Dup trenches for at least 10 years. He told me that he had Xiaflex in years past. The pain was unbearable and,  despite deadening meds to numb his hand, it sent him out of his chair. Two fingers on one hand are bent to his palm. I think his other hand is equally affected. Yes, they hurt him. Sometimes at night the pain wakes him up. Seeing his crippled hands brought tears to my eyes. For him. For me.  For my hands’ unknown future. The likely possibilities scare me. I can barely look at my hands. In the past few months, my right hand has been trying to catch up with my left. Yes, they are worsening. They burn and ache (thankfully low key) constantly now. They’re tighter. Yes, I can still fully open and extend my hands. A blessing. I know. And I thank God for that.  Next month, I’ll see oncologist Dr. Shalin Shah in person (not virtual...