I'm back! Injury update.

[Dale Gregory]

I turned a pen tonight to get back into turning and to get over the initial fear of using the bandsaw again. Whoo, glad to be turning again! Now for the bad news, the re-attachment didn't take (bottom pad was black and when he excised it, there was not enough bleeding/blood flow), and they ended up taking my left pinky off at the first joint a week later:mad:. It's healed over now, missing some feeling on the bottom, and still very swollen. Dr. said it would take 2-3 months for the swelling to subside and a year or more for the nerves to regenerate. Can only bend it about 45 degrees until the swelling goes down. Tried swinging a golf club for the 1st time tonight, really a weird feeling not having the pinky to grip with but will be able to play... next week. Going to have to fab up a 1" extention for guitar playing (see, I'm not giving up;)). You don't realize how much you use it til it's gone. :eek:So be careful out there!:eek:

Dale (stubby)

For those who may not have read my original post from 3-20-08, here it is:

Injury, careful out there!
I was hesitant to post this because of my pride but here it goes. Long story short, I cut my left pinky nearly off Thurs. afternoon in a bandsaw accident. Cut it about 1/8-1/4" above the nail ,clean through the bone with only a piece of skin holding it. Spent 5+ hrs. in the Hospital. The Ortho Specialist decided to try to save it and reattached it since there was some skin and 1 blood vessel still delivering some blood flow and the fact that I play guitar and need all full digits. I go back to him a week from Mon. to see if it takes. So, how did this happen to an experienced wood worker? I was not paying enough attention and didn't have my hand out of harms way. Totally my fault, I new better! The piece of wood had a crack that binded the blade for a second and when the teeth caught (in an split second) it pulled the wood and my hand holding it into harms way. So here I sit typing with one hand, hopped up on pain meds. No work, golf, wood working, guitar... and on and on for the near future....I've already beat myself up for it, but it could have been much worse. Be careful out there and work safely!

[Dewey Torres]

I remember your post. Thanks for the update and I must say, your cup is "half full". Sam Maloof also lost part of his finger so don't feel so bad... (I know you don't). Hey, who knows... maybe you golf game will improve:)
Lots of courage to post an injury like that!
Dewey

[Steve Schlumpf]

Dale - sorry to hear that the surgery didn't take! Hope the swelling goes down quickly and life gets back to normal real soon!

[Robert McGowen]

As a member of the 9 and 2/3rds finger club (table saw), don't expect too much in the nerve regeneration area. :(
I can tell you that it will just be a memory and a conversation starter a year from now though.
Good luck with the recovery!

[Scott Hubl]

Dale,
So Sorry the finger did not heal as expected.

Glad to see your keeping your spirits up and Turning again.

As far as your guitar playing goes, keep in mind that Rick Allen (Drummer) of Def Leppard lost his Arm at the shoulder. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Allen_(drummer)

"He is famous for overcoming the complete amputation of his left arm to continue playing with the band, which subsequently went on to its greatest popular success worldwide"

Keep the faith, you'll be fine and find a way to play.;)

Good luck.

[Jason Clark2]

Dale, Sorry to hear about the loss of your digit. I had an accident with my bandsaw 11 days ago, not quite as severe as yours, only about 1/2 way through the bone.

I plan to post a photo of my injured hand right on my bandsaw as a constant reminder to slow down, pay attention, and work safe.

Jason

[charlie knighton]

sorry that they had to amputate your pinkie, my bandsaw is my extra table space (picked up used, so i do not have enough money in it to half to use it, it just scares me, probably need to take a course with hands on) i turn mainly vases endgrain so i have learned to split wood with wedge along the grain

[Glenn Hodges]

Thanks for the update Dale, even if the news was not what I wanted to hear. I am glad you have a positive attitude, keep turning.

[Dale Gregory]

[quote=Jason Clark2;843006]Dale, Sorry to hear about the loss of your digit. I had an accident with my bandsaw 11 days ago, not quite as severe as yours, only about 1/2 way through the bone. /quote]

Jason, sorry to hear about your accident, just saw your post, and photos, urgggg! Looks like you will be fine, although it may take a year and some rehab to get your pinky working again. I've worked with bandsaws for 35+ years and now understand why folks always referred to them as "just waiting to get ya". My Doc who is a woodworker, said they are among the most dangerous saws out there.

Good luck with your recovery,

Dale

[Dale Gregory]

As a member of the 9 and 2/3rds finger club (table saw), don't expect too much in the nerve regeneration area. :(
I can tell you that it will just be a memory and a conversation starter a year from now though.
Good luck with the recovery!

Robert, had to laugh at the "nine and 2/3rds finger club" comment! Thanks, I needed that. Hope your wrong about the nerve regeneration, that would suck as it's kind of hard to feel if I've got a grip on something since the area effected is the lower inside pad/tip.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words! Hopefully, all of these recent accidents will raise safety awareness a bit.

Dale

[Bernie Weishapl]

Dale sorry to hear that they had to take it off. My prayers are with you and keep up the good spirits.

[robert hainstock]

I hope this post gives you hope. Fifteen years ago I did something stupid andnearl amputated a pinky with the cable on my garage door. Had it wrapped around my hand sort of, and released the tension on the thing. I can assure you the door WILL close. Fortunately I was able to release my grip with only a severe laceration to the first joint. as to nerve regeneration, In 2002 I suffered a mild stroke. The only dibilatating result was that I lost clear vision in the lower half of my eyes. This past January I noticed one day that I didn't have to hold my head funny to see clearly. Nerve regeneration can occur! The brain Doc told me in 02 that my vision might clear up. Heal good friend and turn turn turn.:eek::):)
Bob

[steven carter]

Dale,

Welcome back, sorry about the loss for turning and other stuff, but your left hand should not be held to tightly on the golf club, so here's hoping that it will help your golf swing!

Steve

[curtis rosche]

you could turn a finger replacment!:D:):p you could have a multi colored finger, segmented!

[Sean Troy]

Some years ago, I cut off two fingers on my left hand on a bandsaw held on only by flaps of skin. I was a lucky one and had them re-attached. They work fine now but no feeling on the sides of my fingers. While I was in the hospitial, my surgeon who was a woodworker suggested I don't stand in front of the bandsaw while cutting but rather stand on the right side of the saw facing the saw just as I would from the front. It took a little getting used to but if ever there is a slip, my hand can't hit the blade. You would be cutting from left to right instead of straight in towards the blade. Thats the only way I use the saw now and it works just fine.

[Kennneth Sain]

Don't be too pessimistic about nerve regeneration. No two people react the same, possibly due to the amount of damage initially. It is a slow process, six months to a year most likely. Just hold a good thought and be patient.:):):)

[doug young]

Dale, Sorry about the outcome but just wanted to give you some info. I have been a prosthetist about 25 years and occassionally we will get a partial finger amputation and due to the persons activities or hobbies they decide to go the prosthesis route for a finger. Just wanted to share my experience and save you some time. The main company that deals with cosmetic finger restoration is a company called realastic. most prosthetic companies will take an alginate(kind of like what you used to see on mission impossible) impression and send the impression to realistic. It'll save you a bit of time to call them directly and inquire. Do a google search and you should come up with it otherwise pop me an email and i will give you the connection. I have had people who have played piano and guitar and they have returned to it but they adapt. The main thing is that you are not going to get real positive feedback from the tip of your finger. The movement you will have will be from the metacarpal or 1st knuckle joint. the finger itself will be positioned statically. Give that company a call and they will give you the name of someone in Indiana that they feel has a lot of experience. There is a good chance insurance will cover this. Any way just wanted to let you know that it is doable and not real complicated. good luck to you and happy turning. doug