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Hey--

One of the perils of working in Washington, DC, is that the sidewalks aren't always in the best of shape. On December 17th, while walking back with my staff from a (non-alcoholic) lunch, I glanced over to see a near-car-wreck and tripped hard over a buckled sidewalk. The young ladies I work with insisted that I go to George Washington Hospital after work, and one was so kind as to get me there in a cab and stay with me until my wife could get there.

Anyway, long story short, I walked out in a big white cast from my left elbow to my fingertips, and am now sporting a removable brace I'm supposed to wear until Valentine's Day. I fractured my left elbow and also the base of my left thumb.

The scary part is that I now have NO strength in this left hand. It is still a bit black-and-blue, and even something as simple as pushing the button on a can of shaving cream is impossible. Even driving is awkward; if I didn't have an automatic transmission I doubt that I could drive at all.

Needless to say, playing a guitar is impossible, at least for a while.

What a drag.

But it could have been a lot worse. I'm exercising the bum hand and using a five-pound weight while sitting in front of a computer, hoping that helps speed up my recovery. And I built a great little pedalboard this week to use when I can play again.

Getting old is not for the faint of heart!!!

--Jim

Yikes! Jim I hope you get your hand back soon. Keep on excercising and you'll be playing again before you know it.

Nasty! I've had my share of torn cartilages etc. etc. and much as we all hate to think of it, ice helps reduce inflammation...after you do some mild exercise, ice any tender spots for a few minutes...not too long. It usually helps quite a bit, and can really speed up recovery. You've probably been given all this info, but anyway...get better soon, I know what a drag it is not being able to play all those wonderful axes!

Best wishes for a swift recovery!

What a bummer Jim. I have never broken any bones in my life so far (touch wood!) but I did at one time have to hobble along with the support of two crutches with my left leg in plaster -for 7 weeks due to a severely sprained ankle from a volleybal match (I think we lost ). Folks told me it was better to have a broken bone than a torn muscle...
The incapacitation made me quite rebellious at first but one has to adapt. I hope you don't suffer from this too but get well soon, Jim...and that's an order!

Broken arm's and guitar playing don't work well together. It does get better in time as long as you don't push to hard and try to do more than you should be doing. My wife is just now getting so she can play a full gig after breaking her right arm last October.



She was getting quite bummed out for a time there.

Jim

sleeperNY wrote:
>>My wife is just now getting so she can play a full gig after breaking her right arm last October.

Wow! That seems to underscore that it just takes a long time for such an injury to heal. I guess I am too impatient.

Thanks, all, for the kind words, good advice, and encouragement. This busted wing is the only thing keeping me from running over to the Hallmark World Headquarters to check out Bob Shade's new Johnny Ramone guitar!

--Jim

Get well soon, Jim. And don't overdo things...

Austin

Jim, keep exercising the hand and keep thinking good thoughts. Before
you know it, you will be flying all over the fretboard again........... .

Sorry to hear that you hurt your self Jim take care and mend well. Your right getting old isn't for the faint of heart, if you think about it, you got to be priety dam tough to make it as far as we have.

Al