Thanks, guys, for all the input. Vixen, I have copied exercises and will try that (and not "bouncing" which I am prone to do...if a little is good, a lot is better syndrome). Slickerbill, veery glad to hear that you could eventually play after such scary surgery. Surgeon suggested I not hold anything tightly w/that hand, i.e., minimize pressure along the top of palm, so I am becoming more aware of how I use my hands. And I'm still able to play, tho it takes me a while to warm up, reach those chords w/o buzz, even tho I can barely hang onto a paring knife (lol...maybe motivation has something to do with that). Will try out capoing up and I've always wanted to learn to play with open tuning, so maybe now is the time.

Thanks again, everybody.... Nancy