Can Elbow

Chuck's waiting...

Angel's waiting...

Cases of canned cat food, waiting...

My right elbow has been aching for months.  It feels like I've bumped the inside against something hard.  But there is no bruise.  At first, I figured it was an injury that I did not remember, or from carrying too much weight on my right hand fingers, when I hook the  gallon water jug and balance full food plates when I feed the 'o' cats.  But week after week, and no relief.  Being right-handed, I'm thinking What the hey?

Enter relative, who says he's having the same problem, and he's nailed his pain down to using a computer mouse for endless hours a day. That's right, folks...Mouse Elbow.  Look it up; I'll wait! Yep, on the internet with Tennis Elbow, lives Mouse Elbow. WELL!  I start monitoring my overuse of my paws at the keyboard.  But no, that's not it.  Maybe it's contributing, but there is something else wrong.  

At this point, most folks go to the doctor, or start eating anti-inflammatory meds.  Nope, not me!  I keep searching for the answer.  I go all Sherlock Holmes on everything, which needless to say has driven the hubby a bit batty.  Every time I pick up a spoon, a pen, reach out to grab a coat on a hanger, I've been puzzling out what makes my elbow hurt.

Drum roll...By George, I think I've got it!  OPENING CANNED CAT FOOD!  Pulling on the ring, yanking hard to pop that lid...yep, that hurts! About a month ago, I switched to pulling the lids off using my left hand. This weekend is the first time I've noticed that my right elbow is a tad less sore.  Now, I'm not out of the woods, and I really should high-tail it to the doc, which is on my to-do list.  I promise I will!  But for now, cans are opened on the left side, even if it takes a millisecond longer to dish out noms for the cats...who, trust me!...can tell that I've added a millisecond onto their meals.