Seconds or Weeks?

[Stant82]

Well the numbers are in.
My 3 seconds of mental distraction from applying safe climbing techniques has cost me $13,000, (After insurance). The pre-insurance numbers are around $33,000. This doesn't include the work I lost from not being able to work.
This is a lesson that I will not need to learn again.
What I wasn't expecting is the emotional toll it has placed on me and me family. Not being able to work and constantly replaying the mistake in my mind has been very de-motivating and quite depressing. My get-up-and-go got up left. I know this is temporary and I am ready to start looking froward again.
Spending more time with my young kids has been a huge positive through all this.
The best lessons are usually the most painful!

 

[oldoakman]

Yeah, that was pricey all right!. And you are correct in mentioning the mental side of things too. Glad to hear things are coming back together for you. Just yesterday I was able to tie my shoes myself again and Tuesday the Dr. told me to throw the hard splint away which I gladly did. There is concern that I am not able to close my fingers into a fist, especially the ones that the Dr didn't cut which I also am concerned about since if I can't make a fist, grabbing a rope won't go so good. Still hovering at the $24k+ mark.

 

[treehumper]

See a hand therapist to get working on it. I couldn't make a fist at first but with exercises and treatment it was back to relative normality.

 

[oldoakman]

I see a hand PT 2x a week, going in 45 min for todays. Still at 5.5 weeks I am getting concerned.

 

[treehumper]

It takes a while keep working it.

 

[oldoakman]

That's what she said.

 

[treehumper]

Or what you told her?

 

[Mark Chisholm]

Man, three bad stories here. Heal up guys. Dang.

 

[oldoakman]

Hand is coming along slowly Mark. Looks a whole lot better than the pictures now. Had the button removed yesterday and can almost make a fist. Seems to be lots of scar tissue binding the tendon movement. Sucks getting old.

 

[treehumper]

It'll work out through the pt. Good luck with it oak!

 

[oldoakman]

Update pictures. Coming along slowly. I did climb a tree last Saturday to the first branch and did a 10 mile bike ride on Sunday, both with Dr's OK.

 

[treehumper]

Wow, nice stitch work, can barely see the scares. How's the range of motion coming?

 

[Adkpk]

That does look good.

 

[oldoakman]

Range is coming back slowly, at least slowly as far as I am concerned. Can almost close a fist except for the ring finger, which was the reason for the surgery in the first place. Wrist and knuckles get sore easily and wrist is weaker than right one. Amazing hoiw quickly yu lose the strength. Still a boatload of scar tissue too that I am trying to work out but that is progressing ok.

 

[treehumper]

Good news! It's a slow process for sure but you're working it and it'll come back.

 

[oldoakman]

PT was very happy with progress of movement in ring finger yesterday. Said I am doing well.

 

[oldoakman]

Did my first removal today since the surgery. Amazing how fast you get out of shape, I'm tired!. Was a Paulonia that was heavy with seed and about 2 feet from the guys storage shed. All in all things went well. Wrist hurts a bit and fingers are sore but looking better and better.

 

[treehumper]

Good stuff! It'll take some "work hardening" to get to being in condition. It's one of the aspects of the PT I'll be interested in seeing how it actually serves to prepare me.