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42 messages

left hand ruined

21 Sep 02 - 01:17 PM (#788549)
Subject: left hand ruined
From: 53

my left hand is now ruined and i can hardly do anything with it much less play my guitar, boy what a bummer.


21 Sep 02 - 01:28 PM (#788554)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Sonnet

How?

JMcS


21 Sep 02 - 01:28 PM (#788555)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: MudGuard

Sorry for your loss!
What happened?


21 Sep 02 - 01:30 PM (#788557)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: 53

doctors put an iv in wrong and that messed it up.


21 Sep 02 - 01:34 PM (#788558)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: C-flat

Hello Bob,
It's been noticed that you've been absent for a while and I'm sorry to hear about your hand.
Without knowing how bad your problem is it's difficult to comment but have you tried using an open tuning on your guitar? Something that requires little left-hand dexterity?
It would be a shame to put your guitar away permanently.
C-flat.


21 Sep 02 - 01:36 PM (#788559)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: 53

i think that i'll try those open tunings thanks for the reminder. Bob


21 Sep 02 - 01:39 PM (#788565)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: MudGuard

Ohoh, sounds bad!

Have you consulted a different doctor?
Is there any chance of a healing?
I wish for you that there is!

MudGuard


21 Sep 02 - 01:46 PM (#788570)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: 53

goin back to the operating room on monday but not for my hand even though i wish it was.


21 Sep 02 - 01:54 PM (#788580)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: MudGuard

Hope the doctors on Monday will be more competent!
Speedy healing!

MudGuard


21 Sep 02 - 01:56 PM (#788581)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: 53

thanks man, i appreciate that. Bob


21 Sep 02 - 02:51 PM (#788598)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Bonnie Shaljean

Bob, it's really nice to see you back again - we missed you. I agree with MudGuard, and think you should see another doctor to get a second opinion (especially if the first one is the same doctor who put the IV in wrong).

Also, consider (or try to find out) whether it is PERMANENTLY damaged or not, because maybe it will heal in time. I had a similar-sounding thing happen to a nerve in my hand, but it came right in the end, though it took a few months. There had been injury but no permanent destruction, and the same may be true in your case.

It sounds as though you could use further information, if only so you can separate hard fact from fears. Do be sure to keep us posted on how you are.

My best hopes to you for a full recovery, Bonnie xx


21 Sep 02 - 03:06 PM (#788606)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Don Firth

What happened with the IV? Did they damage a muscle or hit a nerve?

It's a bitch to go to a doctor for one thing and come out with something you didn't bargain for. That's happened to me a time or two (but, fortunately, not to my hands). I definitely agree with the idea of getting another opinion, and perhaps, another doctor.

I'm keeping a good thought for you. Hang in there.

Don Firth


21 Sep 02 - 03:07 PM (#788607)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Bert

Get better soon.


21 Sep 02 - 03:12 PM (#788608)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Jeanie

Good to have you back again, Bob - Sorry to hear about your hand. Do let us know how things go on Monday, won't you.

With all Good Wishes,

- jeanie


21 Sep 02 - 03:16 PM (#788612)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Áine

I'm sorry for your troubles, Bob. I'll just echo the 'get a second opinion' advice from the other 'Catters. If it is a nerve injury, it could very well heal; although it might take a few months. Check it out with another doctor -- and don't forget to ask if some sort of physical therapy might help out.

All the best to you, Áine


21 Sep 02 - 03:32 PM (#788617)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Glade

Bob, definitely find out about physical or occupational therapy for you left hand. Good wishes for your surgery on Monday. Glade


21 Sep 02 - 03:48 PM (#788626)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: kendall

I sure hope it is not permanent. That would be a real bummer.


21 Sep 02 - 03:55 PM (#788630)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Leadfingers

Guitar playing(or I should imagine any instrument)has got to be good therapy.I did a lot of damage to my left arm in a motorbike crash just after I'd bought my first really good guitar-nerve damage and multiple fractures to the arm and wrist.The doc put me on guitar practice in the firms time as soon as I got any movement in the hand,which was damned hard work,but I'm still playing the same old D35thirty years on.Hope yor situation is no worse than mine ws.Best of luck.


21 Sep 02 - 04:21 PM (#788640)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: wysiwyg

Calling Dr. Meixner....

~S~


21 Sep 02 - 07:54 PM (#788759)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Sorcha

Hi Bob! Good to see you, not so good about your hand. Get it checked, and pray a lot!!


21 Sep 02 - 08:32 PM (#788769)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: GUEST,bubafett

Hi, I would advise trying yoga. I play piano, and thought my thumb would never work well again, but yoga has helped considerably. Give it 4 months of hard work, and I hope that you will notice a difference.


21 Sep 02 - 11:01 PM (#788839)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

53 - there is HOPE!

My right hand went into a high-speed, sharp-edged-metal, ceiling-fan, to create a bloody awful compound fracture. It took nearly two years to recover. I can play again ... and the joy has returned.

I commisserate with your loss. But with use and cussed PERSISTANCE you will get it back.

Exercise, vitamines, exercise, playing, exercise.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle


21 Sep 02 - 11:03 PM (#788841)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

You have "begged the question'

WHY were they sticking an IV in your arm?

Sincerely,
Gargoyle


21 Sep 02 - 11:34 PM (#788852)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: DonMeixner

HI Bob,

What happened with the IV? Hand injuries are no fun to deal with at all. But sometimes what appears to be devastating, tho' very painful, is surmountable.

First some perspective. What happened and when. An IV shouldn't be invasive enough to cause structural damage. But it can carry an infection or hit a nerve or both.

What ever damage was done can't be assessed until a little healing time has taken place.

Doctors told me I'd lose my fingers. I didn't. I was told one couldn't be reattached. It was. I was told I'd lose it anyway. I didn't. I was told the nerves were shot. Some are but others have regenerated.

I was told I'd never play guitar again. Buy my CD and listen to a few tunes.

Give us more info and yourself more time. And call me if you have some direct qustions. PM me for the number.

Don


21 Sep 02 - 11:38 PM (#788856)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Sorcha

YEA DR. DON!!!!!


22 Sep 02 - 12:15 AM (#788862)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: wysiwyg

I love that man!

~S~


22 Sep 02 - 01:10 AM (#788874)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: GUEST

Revelation of a Lover's Tryst???

Won't be the first time a preacher sings the cuckhold song.


22 Sep 02 - 02:51 AM (#788883)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Mudlark

Glad to see you back, Bob. Bad luck with the hand but I echo all the dont "give up, be persistent in working toward healing" posts...while things don't always get completely better, they get better enough to work around them, compensation kicks in over time. Please keep us posted.


22 Sep 02 - 03:30 AM (#788891)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Desert Dancer

A guitar-playing friend sliced the tendon of his left index finger in a stupid accident a couple of years ago. I've just gotten home from calling a contra dance in which he was one third of the band. It took a lot of time and work and was a serious bummer much of the time, but it happened. I don't know if he's playing just the same as he used to, but he sure is a fine player.

Best of luck to you.

~ Becky in Tucson


22 Sep 02 - 02:54 PM (#789100)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: fat B****rd

Sorry about your bad news, Bob. All the best to you from the fB.


22 Sep 02 - 04:46 PM (#789152)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: X

I know this may sound dumb but if worst comes to worst maybe you could re-learn the guitar left-handed?


23 Sep 02 - 01:38 AM (#789379)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Seamus Kennedy

Best of luck with the problem, Bob. Hope everything turns out well.

Seamus


23 Sep 02 - 03:22 AM (#789397)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: MudGuard

Good luck for todays operation, 7-of-9 53-of-Mudcat...


23 Sep 02 - 02:48 PM (#789749)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: GUEST,Crazy Little Woman

I used to work for a lawyer who handled personal-injury suits. See if you can get a lawyer on your side, one who works on a contingency basis.

Sad to say, the doctors and their insurors will probably take no notice of you until you have a lawyer on your side.

Another thing - it wasn't a doctor who put the IV in, was it? It was probably a nurse or nurse's aide. Have the facts clear in your mind before you call the lawyer.


23 Sep 02 - 03:26 PM (#789775)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: katlaughing

Keeping you in our thoughts and wishing you well throughout this, Bob. Please keep in touch as you are able. You've been missed.

kat


23 Sep 02 - 05:17 PM (#789829)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: SharonA

Hey there, Bob! Hope the surgery went well. Best of luck with recuperation from it, and with finding treatment for your hand injury. As folks on this thread have said, be sure to get information about physical therapy. Judging from the recent news stories about Christopher Reeve's continuing recovery from his horseback-riding accident – and the fact that some parts of his body that had been paralyzed are now starting to move again – physical therapy does seem to have its merits!

Keeping you and Glenda in thought,
Sharon


24 Sep 02 - 12:37 AM (#790053)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: GUEST,.gargoyle

Three postings in the first hour and then NOTHING....

Perhaps, he has shuffled off this mortal coil and left his percieved sufferings behind for a place a higher inflagration?

Sincerely,
Gargoyle


24 Sep 02 - 01:27 AM (#790065)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: NicoleC

Bob, I know how much you love to play, so I hate to hear you're having problems. Please hang in there and don't let 'em tell you you're damaged forever. You have treatment options; explore them and make informed decisions.

Music is in the heart and soul -- even if you can't play for a while, the music won't leave you. But I think the suggestion to switch guitar hands is valid. It may be a while before you recover your left hand, and playing left handed might be a good activity to keep your skills welll lubricated and learn some new ones.

Let us know how you are and how your surgery went.


24 Sep 02 - 03:50 AM (#790103)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: MudGuard

Any news about the patient?


24 Sep 02 - 04:12 AM (#790114)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull

get well soon bob.john


25 Sep 02 - 04:35 AM (#790815)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: Genie

Hi, Bob. So sorry to hear of the quite unnecessary injury to your hand. As one with a long history of proving doctors' dire predictions wrong, I concur with the advice of those above who say not to take the doc's negative prognosis as gospel truth. Do seek both other medical advice and legal counsel. (Your treatment is likely not to be cheap, and there's no reason those responsible should not foot the bill.)

Either in the interim or, if necessary, permanently, you might consider playing a dobro or lap guitar, where you use an open tuning and have the guitar in a position where you can just manipulate the slide and don't have to bend your wrist a lot. (I may resort to this myself, if the arthritis in my left hand fingers gets much worse.)

Please don't lose heart. I hope you are back pickin' and grinnin' a lot sooner than you or the doctors expect.

Genie


26 Sep 02 - 12:43 AM (#791493)
Subject: RE: left hand ruined
From: GUEST

Somebody sound taps...ol' 53 appears to have retired for more than the night....perhaps a bubble in that IV hit his brain.