GroupWBench

At two weeks post op I went back to have the splint removed. Once they got all the wrapping and plaster off, I was left with this:

There goes my career as a hand model. They pulled the stitches and covered the incision with steri-strips. Then I was awarded the Big Blue Badge of Stupid for managing to really do some damage to myself. I got to wear it for two weeks. It is amazing how often I wanted – needed – to use my left thumb for something.

Now I realize that cast isn't quite an iron maiden,   but it was torture for me nonetheless. It really brought back memories of when I broke both arms at the same time back when I was 13. I was in heavy plaster casts for six weeks then. For some reason though, this cast bothered me more than they did and was way more uncomfortable than those old plaster casts. I was going nuts wanting it off. By the time I went in to have it removed, I was ready to start chewing that thing off like an animal in a trap.

I was thrilled when the guy cut that thing off. I could touch my hand again. It felt wonderful. The graft is still healing though, so I was awarded a lesser honor for a few more weeks. Meet the Little Blue Badge of Stupid. It will continue to remind me not to be stupid with a knife or any other tool.

I have exercises to do on the thumb every hour to start getting a little mobility back. Plus, I can wash the hand again. That is a big win. There was a lot of dead skin on under the Big Blue Badge. I can do a bit more with this on, but still no heavy lifting or gripping. It looks like it will be mid-December before I can put our baseboards in.