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Post by 4fingerdiscount on Aug 10, 2017 14:00:43 GMT -7
A little background..... I am a 45 y/o male and have been in construction most of my life. I played hockey for 20+ years and needless to say I have been very hard on my body. I was lucky enough to get diagnosed with Lupus and UCTD a few years back (thus explaining the 8 Ortho. Operations since 1997). My new Ortho is awesome and we have a great relationship. So my 1st knuckle on my index finger is mush and after years of Kenalog shots, he said it's done. So the options I was given we're fusion, silicone knuckle and 4 tendon grafts, partial removal of bone from my middle finger transferred to the bad knuckle with screws/wires in both, or total amputation of the finger and 1st metacarpal. It took me 4 weeks of research and other opinions to come to the conclusion that I'd be better off getting it removed and keep my other fingers healthy. So now I wait to hear from the surgery scheduler and make plans accordingly. I feel it's the right decision and am dedicated to making the best of it. I have lots of other issues but that's the big one of the day. Trying my 3rd epidural for my back in a few weeks and praying for SOME relief! Anyways, thanks for letting me vent. Hit me up or reply if you would like. I'll be around. :-). Best wishes to everyone here! JJ
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Post by snowyh on Aug 11, 2017 2:29:30 GMT -7
Well, hey there, JJ. It sounds like your body has stood up pretty well after many years of taking hard shots. I'm impressed that you're still more or less intact at age 45! I've never heard of having to remove the metacarpal (bone in hand between wrist & finger) as well as the finger itself, but it seems you've got a knowledgeable doc and have put a lot of thought into your options. Not that it sounds like you need it, but have you gotten a second opinion? Best way NOT to regret your decision if things don't work out quite as well as you had hoped after the operation. Anyway, welcome to the forum--have a browse, and feel free to ask any questions you may have!
Helen
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Post by cherylm on Aug 11, 2017 2:39:37 GMT -7
Hi JJ, and welcome! I'm glad you're feeling good about your decision. I don't have experience with fingers (I'm a below-knee amputee, myself), but I know a number of folks who have lost various parts of upper extremities who get along quite well without hands or arms, so I'm willing to wager that you'll make the adjustments you need to get on with basic life activities.
What has your construction job been? Is it do-able with nine fingers? I know a couple of folks involved in various aspects of construction who deal with leg loss, so......?
All the best to you!
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Post by stonecutter on Aug 11, 2017 7:17:03 GMT -7
Heya --- parts of this story sounds familiar. I'm originally from a small town in northern Alberta. A good friend of mine from high school played defense and he played it hard. I remember seeing him reach out open handed to catch/block a slap-shot with his right hand in front of the goalie only to break the bones in the top of his hand. It was the playoffs - so naturally he was playing the next game against the same team and ended up doing the exact same thing again the next week against the same shooter. His hand was never the same.
The next fall he was supposed to be going for the first of many surgeries to fix everything up but ended up being killed in a car accident.
Anyway - your story sounds very Canadian!
It sounds like a lot of the other parts of your hand / body have suffered as a result of this injury, and it sounds like you have a great attitude about the decision you've made! I'm sure you know it won't be easy, but with that outlook, I'm sure you'll persevere!
Re: Construction jobs - I'm in project management. You can always come join the dark side (project management office) and make a living off of telling people how they're doing their jobs incorrectly! (just kidding - but it's an awesome career).
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Post by 4fingerdiscount on Aug 11, 2017 7:24:20 GMT -7
Thanks for the encouragement and support! I have had a 2nd opinion and he gave me the same options... So I'm confident in my decision. And I am in Q.A./Q.C now and was a superintendent for many years. I went back to doing the work because I enjoyed it. I'll post more a little later today. Just nice to see people who understand! Thank you all and best wishes! JJ
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Post by 4fingerdiscount on Aug 16, 2017 5:47:11 GMT -7
I got my surgery scheduled for 9 days from now. Is it weird that all of a sudden I'm nervous? I think it would be different if I lost my finger in an accident with no warning but to voluntarily go in there and have this done is a little unnerving. I've been mentally preparing for months but I'm not sure any preparation can get you ready for something like this. And reading other stories and seeing other pictures I realize how fortunate I am but it's still kind of scary. Not expecting any replies just kind of venting. Already setting some goals for the next year and I will get back on the ice but it's going to take some work with my Specialists to get my lupus under control and some adjustment without the index finger. I am ambidextrous but I use my right hand for most things that require strength. It will be an adjustment and I know it will be okay but I think I'm just worried about the immediate pain following surgery and only having four days off before returning to work. Thanks for reading all comments are welcome but not necessary. Bless you all and I find encouragement and strength in all of you
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Post by stonecutter on Aug 16, 2017 6:18:08 GMT -7
Being nervous is normal. This is a surgery, and honestly - all surgeries carry an inherent element of risk. I'd be more concerned about you if you weren't nervous.
Please keep us posted on how you're doing.
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Post by cherylm on Aug 16, 2017 8:04:05 GMT -7
I agree with Trevor...no matter how much or how little warning and preparation you may have, surgery is pretty much guaranteed to make you nervous. If it's any reassurance to you, I am an elective amputee...after many, many months and many, many surgical attempts to repair my leg, I was given the choice to make one more repair attempt or to go ahead and amputate: my choice. I was initially shocked and frightened...and then I was relieved when I chose to just lose the leg and get on with my life...and THEN I was anxious about the surgery and just how much of my leg I might end up using...and, ultimately, I came to the conclusion that losing the leg was one of the better decisions I'd ever made because it did indeed let me get back to living instead of just visiting doctors, staying in hospitals, and having surgeries.
Just know that you're likely to go through a wide variety of emotions...and all of them are normal!
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Post by 4fingerdiscount on Aug 17, 2017 6:22:31 GMT -7
"Just know that you're likely to go through a wide variety of emotions...and all of them are normal!"
I'm all over the place emotionally lately. I laugh about it one minute and the next I'm wondering what it's going to be like not having it. I don't use it much because it's basically dead and very painful but still.... I know my decision is the right one but currently all over the board emotionally. But thanks to you guys I feel a little more "normal" being manic and then depressed. Thank you all!
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Post by 4fingerdiscount on Aug 23, 2017 10:20:45 GMT -7
Tomorrow is the big day. Have had a few dreams lately about it being gone but nothing too bad. I'm nervous, but more about when I wake up and it's gone. I'm not worried about the surgery, it's about afterwards... I'll have a ton of questions for my Dr. And anesthesiologist as to a block/ sedation but should be pretty straight forward. I'm worried about the pain and how much I'll be able to use my hand/arm without messing anything up. Well, thanks for "listening"..... Lol. Thank you all for being here!
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Post by snowyh on Aug 23, 2017 16:48:29 GMT -7
Sending you good vibes, JJ... be sure and check in with us after the surgery (in a few days, that is).
Helen
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Post by 4fingerdiscount on Aug 26, 2017 20:34:48 GMT -7
Surgery took quite a bit longer than they anticipated and had a few complications when I got home such as pain control and running a fever but I saw the doctor on Friday afternoon and he gave me some different medicines and everything has improved since. The Phantom pains and feelings are very odd especially when I try to scratch my eyebrow and there's no finger there to scratch with LOL. Don't know how to post pictures and it's still pretty swollen but I think the outcome will actually look really good. Been sleeping a lot and doing the whole ice and elevation thing but I think that within a week I should be able to use my hand quite a bit more than I am currently. I will keep you updated and feel free to send me a message so I can put some pictures up. I find Orthopedics fascinating and I think this was a pretty good job that my doctor did. Thank you all for the support and the best wishes. I think things turned out well
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Post by snowyh on Aug 27, 2017 5:13:43 GMT -7
So good to hear you're improving, JJ. Yes, phantom sensations can be a hoot (phantom pain, not so much). It sounds like your doc did a good job and you're doing what you need to heal.
To attach a picture to your post, instead of responding in the "Quick Reply" area and clicking "Post Quick Reply," click on the yellow "Reply" square in the upper right-hand corner instead. This will bring up a reply box with many more options, including an "Add Attachment" button. Show us what you got!
Helen
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Post by 4fingerdiscount on Aug 28, 2017 13:07:20 GMT -7
I only have access through my phone and don't see any other buttons or tabs to add a picture. Any advice?
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Post by stonecutter on Aug 28, 2017 13:55:45 GMT -7
Adding photos to this forum is kind of a P.I.T.A.
You have to upload to a hosting service like Imgur or Photobucket (but don't use photobucket because they suck.)
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