Sidelined !

[VertOlive]

A note to those here expecting a letter from me: it may be a while. On March 22 I lost the first joint of the 4th finger of my right hand. There’s a surgery to come and I can’t at the moment write legibly or for long.

I might try to figure out how to send typed postcards to my other correspondents…Eventually, I’ll get those replies out.

[Chrissy]

OMG that's so shocking. :shocked: I'm so sorry to hear that. What on earth happened?

[VertOlive]

Work accident. Right after I’d ordered a new, larger harp, too. :(

[mizgeorge]

I'm so sorry. That sounds horrid, painful and frustrating in almost equal measures.

I hope the surgery is a success.

[penwash]

Ouch..
(another ouch after reading your description again).

Wishing you a successful surgery!

[manoeuver]

that is terrible. hope you get good care and your recovery is swift and thorough.

[joolstacho]

Hang in there, and remember what Django Rhienhart did with just 2 fingers on his guitar fretting hand!

[Chrissy]

Ouch..
(another ouch after reading your description again).

Wishing you a successful surgery!
Me too.
Hope all goes well. :)

[An old bloke]

Work accident. Right after I’d ordered a new, larger harp, too. :(
There's a young lady amputee with one arm who plays the drums like the rock star she is so I imagine that you will do just fine on your new harp with 9.66 fingers once you've healed and had a chance to practice a bit.

[TSherbs]

Best wishes, and sorry to hear this.

[Empty_of_Clouds]

Ouch indeed. Wishing the speediest of recoveries and a rapid adaption to new circumstances.

[Sailor Kenshin]

that is terrible. hope you get good care and your recovery is swift and thorough.

Amen to that.

[vdiantonio]

Wishing you a quick recovery.

[FredRydr]

Wow! Ouch. I trust modern medical science will have your harp singing before very long.

[eachan]

Such a bad thing to happen to a writer. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

[junglejim]

omg! I am so sorry to hear about your accident, vertolive. Take care and I hope your surgery is succesful. Your little fur babies will watch over your recovery

[Jon Szanto]

Holding you In the Light, Vert.

[VertOlive]

Ha! It being “Workman’s Comp”, the specialist decided against surgery yesterday and advised me to “grow some more finger over that wound”. My estimated wait time : 5 months.

That said, the three fingers are enough for the harp, but I still can’t manage a pen…

[empliau]

I am so sorry to hear this. Such a painful thought! Hoping for news as your recovery progresses.

[junglejim]

Ha! It being “Workman’s Comp”, the specialist decided against surgery yesterday and advised me to “grow some more finger over that wound”. My estimated wait time : 5 months.

That said, the three fingers are enough for the harp, but I still can’t manage a pen…

Oh sweet Jesus! What did your company do, go with the absolute lowest bidder for Workman' Comp?

[Chrissy]

Ha! It being “Workman’s Comp”, the specialist decided against surgery yesterday and advised me to “grow some more finger over that wound”. My estimated wait time : 5 months.

That said, the three fingers are enough for the harp, but I still can’t manage a pen…
Once it's grown back a little and isn't painful anymore your handwriting and harp playing will go back to normal. :)
I pressed a doorbell with my right little finger a year ago and for whatever reason it pulled off/split the extensor tendon that has never grown back or healed. Even though the end of my little finger is now "floppy" I can at least write again. :)

[VertOlive]

Oh sweet Jesus! What did your company do, go with the absolute lowest bidder for Workman' Comp?

While it sounds a little hinky, it may be the best option. The bone fragments left inside are slowly dissolving, and I’ve no signs of osteomyelitis. Opening it up puts me at risk again for a bone infection, another wound site for a graft, and further exposure to the sub par medical system that is Texas. It’s only been three weeks and it seems to be doing ok.

That said, my dining room looks like Santa’s Little Wound Care Workshop and my son has turned me into his Biology project. He’s photographing the daily sessions of care/rehab and is terribly pleased at the “Yuck” factor of the photos. Silver linings and all that.

[Marsilius]

Sending well-wishes! As a wind player, I always figure I can best lose my left pinky or right thumb . . . but not recommended for anyone.

[calamus]

Oh my. Just found this thread. I am so sorry. Five decades of Our Lady's Psalter for you tonight! Hang in there, and offer it up. After all, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. (Except for bears. Bears will kill you.)

[VertOlive]

Many thanks for the cards and well wishes. Yesterday makes it two months’ dealing with this and the Dr. says three more months to go. I hope to be at least scribbling short missives before that. Onward!

[VertOlive]

9 months later, I’m writing in a limited fashion again but did not “grow enough finger” to match my other hand and I now have 3 fingernails on that beleaguered finger. Weird. This leaves me trying to find an alternate hand technique when playing my harp. This upsets me but I’ll eventually adapt, I’m sure.

[Chrissy]

9 months later, I’m writing in a limited fashion again but did not “grow enough finger” to match my other hand and I now have 3 fingernails on that beleaguered finger. Weird. This leaves me trying to find an alternate hand technique when playing my harp. This upsets me but I’ll eventually adapt, I’m sure.
I'm sorry to read this. It is very sad and disappointing and 3 fingernails does sound a little weird. Might there possibly be a surgical procedure to correct that?

[manoeuver]

hope you continue to make progress. that sounds frustrating in the extreme.

[Marsilius]

Any luck with trying some kind of rubber/silicone/other for a thimble/finger cover? I had a colleague who once used a fake plastic fingertip for wounded finger on his lute . . . worked kind of like an old-fashioned plectrum . . . No doubt you are by this point saying, "yeah, yeah tried that!"

[Lady Onogaro]

Best wishes to you VertOlive. I just saw this thread. I hope you see more progress.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Amen to all the above.

[Jon Szanto]

Vert, the best part is your last sentence, with the confidence you will adapt and accommodate the changes. I think in music, as in some other places, there are no hard and fast rules - how can art not be allowed to be free of those constraints? Your alternate methodology and new paths of spinning out notes will be a signature style, not a caveat. Breathe into the changes and you'll find new expressions. I am reminded of the great gypsy/jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Django_Reinhardt), who famously overcame serious injuries to his left had to create a new technique and continue making musical contributions for years.

In a season of miracles, my best to you and wishes for a year of hope, healing, and new music.

[TSherbs]

Happy New Year, VertOlive. I hope that your recovery has continued and that you are well in spite of this serious injury.

[WaltZucher]

A note to those here expecting a letter from me: it may be a while. On March 22 I lost the first joint of the 4th finger of my right https://telegrambetting.club/. There’s a surgery to come and I can’t at the moment write legibly or for long.

I might try to figure out how to send typed postcards to my other correspondents…Eventually, I’ll get those replies out. like here: https://eldfall-chronicles.com/product-category/miniatures/class/mage/


Oh wow, that sounds like an incredibly difficult situation. I'm sorry to hear that! I'm sure all of your correspondents will understand, and I wish you the best of luck with your surgery. Take care!

[VertOlive]

Adapting.

While observing my Scottie being groomed, I discovered the use of the Dremel Saw for nails. I thought “what the heck” and took the saw to my Finger From Hell’s Alien Triple Nail Bed. It was a little unnerving though I can now sound a normal note on the harp with that digit. But I have to concentrate because I’m never exactly sure where that finger is due to some bonus nerve damage. This is OK. In general it’s always good to pay attention while doing something, so what a great way to improve hand placement!

[Jon Szanto]

Adapting.

I'm really glad I happened to see this, Vert. I'm very happy that you are pushing forward and, as you say, adapting. You have a great attitude and that is going to make all the difference. I'm so glad you are able to play again and wish you all the best!

[calamus]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/04/0a/3b/040a3bce8a538fc0bce4edd6d7cfff15.jpg

Not just Django Reinhardt, but Jerry Garcia is another musician who created some pretty amazing sounds (when he wasn't so stoned that he couldn't tell his guitar pick from a potato chip) with fewer than ten full digits. Of course, neither guitar picks nor potato chips are recommended for playing the harp.

My grandfather was a master cabinetmaker, and cut off part of one of his fingers on a table saw. I can't remember whether it was one or two phalanges, or which finger on which hand, but I do remember that once he recovered -- and it took less than a year -- his work was as good as ever.

Just hang in there!

[Chrissy]

It's such a shame that WaltZucher the spammer went to the trouble to quote the post from VertOlive and added spam links into the quoted post. This is presumably in case anyone else makes the mistake of replying to that post and repeating the quotes.

WaltZucher is one of the worst sneaky spammers who always does this. Please be sure to not Reply with Quote to any of the posts made by this spammer..

[Carpio]

Hello,

Having read the thread, there is no doubt whatsoever that you WILL master an adoptive way to strum your strings. No doubt whatsoever.
Wishing you all the luck in the world (well,... not all the luck. I'd like a little bit to win tonights lottery) for a full, healthy recovery.
Stay strong!

Carpio