Rsser's accident.

[GoGuppy]

.......PS I used to do Tai Chi years ago. Took 3 years to learn a simplified form and it set me up nicely to begin XC skiing as a late starter.....

Ern, Tai Chi is good I used to do it for about 10 years (after a similar time of TaeKwondo), but stopped about ten years ago (mmm.... there's a pattern there...).

I've been thinking of starting up again also..
Cheers

[rsser]

Yeah, I started with Yoga but found it boring.
...

After 2 good night's sleep now (using the heavy duty pain killers) things don't look so bleak.

I must say this forum is a life saver. It's very helpful to be able to dump and then reflect on yr responses. My partner is a worrier and I don't like to give her the full blast of my misery, at least not every time there's a set-back.

Have had off-line emails from folk sharing their stories of injury and surgery, so that I've felt my worries were minor (but of course they're still immediate, difficult, and mine.)

Have been able to think my way thru several things I want to do when back on deck, using the excellent advice of other members.

Have done enuff online shopping to blow the partial refund from the Japan trip and am excited by the prospect of using the new tools.

Have even flattened and polished the backs of two handplane blades - not v. well really but cld still get a scratched reflection of my mug from both

That said, day times are still hard. some feeling is returning to the palm of the hand and it burns under the pressure of the light compression 'sock' that goes under the splint. Pain killers don't touch it short of putting me to sleep so it's ciggies and grog for the time being. Not the best way but it'll do for the moment.

[tea lady]

Shopping!

[rsser]

Yeah, it's a great distraction and I should be asking for VIP rates from Ebay, Paypal and USPS!

I forgot to acknowledge in the last post the supportive phone calls I've received from a forumite. Won't mention his name for fear of embarrassing him but for a guy with hand probs of his own he's a real gent

[Terry B]

LOL. Thanks Anne-maria

With an academic as partner surely you'd know an apprenticeship in scholarly work means obsession.

In my case, being given Hobson's choice by a surgeon drove me to find the means of coming up with an informed answer (which I still don't have but at least I'm learning some of 'their' language, so I can ask the pointed questions and poss'y understand the answers.)

Another part of that apprenticeship which I've done myself is critical reflection, and looking over the last page or two, I can see that I'm feeling that I'm incompetent and a burden on the family. And to look at how I can contribute domestically in other ways, following Neil's wise advice on adapting.

Dear Ern
Having read this the thread it seems that your surgeon is being conservative. As a medico this is usually a sign that he/she knows what they are talking about. This is often better than a cowboy promising miracles and ignoring the complication rate. Investigate on the web as needed but unfortunately 100% return to function might not be possible and it can be slow.
You physio will be your friend. (even if you hate her at the time)

Good luck with it and I hope you get back to the lathe as soon as you can.

[rsser]

Terry, thanks for the advice, appreciate it.

Yes, conservative assessment is good, and if the 2nd opinion supports it, that's the way I'll go. Much as the prospect of another op is nauseating.

My physio is a gem, and I've been following her advice as well as I can. Pain was not part of her prescription, and what I've had wld be due in all likelihood to my being over-keen with the new set of exercises; I've cranked back and the pain has as well, mostly.

Upside is increasing facility with the left hand, and who knows, ambidextrous turning might be on the cards. Might be able to give a run for his money

[RETIRED]

Terry, thanks for the advice, appreciate it.

Yes, conservative assessment is good, and if the 2nd opinion supports it, that's the way I'll go. Much as the prospect of another op is nauseating.

My physio is a gem, and I've been following her advice as well as I can. Pain was not part of her prescription, and what I've had wld be due in all likelihood to my being over-keen with the new set of exercises; I've cranked back and the pain has as well, mostly.

Upside is increasing facility with the left hand, and who knows, ambidextrous turning might be on the cards. Might be able to give a run for his money

Dream on.

[rsser]

LOL.

Good to have a goal.

Handicap might be a bit steep, lacking several decades of experience and prob the right genes.

[Cliff Rogers]

never ran for his money in his whole life.

[Tony Morton]

Hi Ern

Had'nt seen this post since it was moved here, an reading through it it struck me with the friendship and concern for one of our fellow formited. Yes you may be handicapped physicaly for a while but you have a wealth of knoledge to share and in doing so is helping you. You have opened up and support has come your way and I'm sure many people have benifitted from the replies posted here. Hang in there and the best for the future.

Chers Tony

[tea lady]

never ran for his money in his whole life.

and I've never seen him in a pair of jeans either. But I have really only seen him in a workshop of some sort.

[rsser]

Tony, thanks for the feedback and your good wishes.

hughie, just as well you're 2000 k or so away

[rsser]

Good day today.

Resumed my f/nightly lunches with my 89 yr old mum.

Made a holder for 2 new waterstones. Bent 3 panel pins. Broke an edging strip removing one. Sh*t myself tapping the pins in with stones in place (using a tack hammer in the splinted hand; sshh, don't tell the physio!).

Got to use the new knob and tote mounted on the block plane to smooth the edge strips; very nice.

Had to hold the shellac jar lid upside down in the vice to free it

Happy as a pig in mud

[graemet]

I must say this forum is a life saver. It's very helpful to be able to dump and then reflect on yr responses.

You're right there, Ern. There are quite a few of us who have had loads of support in many and varied problems, particularly in the area of our health. Even the ability to blow off on line is a great release, and to know that blokes and sheilas that you've never met are letting you know that they care about you and your difficulties.

"Had to hold the shellac jar lid upside down in the vice to free it"

A tool that I've found very useful for undoing things that you don't want to use a stillson on is the Baby Boa, a plumber mate put me onto it. A plastic handle and a rubber strap that they use for undoing corroded taps in bathrooms, great for sticky lids, overtightened keyless chucks etc.
Cheers
Graeme

[tea lady]

Good day today.

Resumed my f/nightly lunches with my 89 yr old mum.

Made a holder for 2 new waterstones. Bent 3 panel pins. Broke an edging strip removing one. Sh*t myself tapping the pins in with stones in place (using a tack hammer in the splinted hand; sshh, don't tell the physio!).

Got to use the new knob and tote mounted on the block plane to smooth the edge strips; very nice.

Had to hold the shellac jar lid upside down in the vice to free it

Happy as a pig in mud

Life on the edge eh?