Sidelined !

[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, 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/produ...es/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!