[Rhodes22-list] Surgery

[Steve Alm]

Don't worry, MJM.  The brain cells are already long gone.  8-)
Slim

On 5/23/04 10:07 PM, "Michael Meltzer" <mjm at michaelmeltzer.com> wrote:

> sorry to here that and the loss of work can not be fun but sound like you are
> making the best of it, good luck and do not damage the
> liver or kill to many brain cells on top of it all :-)
> 
> MJM
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Alm" <salm at mn.rr.com>
> To: "Rhodes" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 12:27 PM
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Surgery
> 
> 
>> Hi all,
>> 
>> Due to an old athletic injury to my right elbow, I've suffered some nerve
>> damage to my ulnar nerve.  That's what we call the "funny bone."  This
>> chronic and progressive problem has recently taken its toll and I have lost
>> most of the strength in my little finger.  This really wouldn't be much of a
>> problem unless of course, one happens to play the piano for a living.
>> 
>> So on Tuesday, I underwent ulnar nerve transposition surgery.  That's where
>> they reroute the nerve to the inside of the elbow and tuck it under the
>> muscle, where it will hopefully lead a more comfortable life.
>> 
>> The surgery went well and I thought I received very good care/treatment at
>> the hospital.  The procedure requires a general anesthesia but is
>> out-patient, so after they woke me up, they sent me home.  My fingers are
>> warm, have no numbness and I can wiggle all 5.  That's a good start.  My arm
>> is in a cast and sling.
>> 
>> I spent most of the first two days sleeping.  Yesterday I went for a walk--2
>> whole blocks.  Today I'm feeling quite a bit better and the pain has
>> subsided considerably.  One-handed typing isn't so bad, but you should see
>> my left-handed handwriting.
>> 
>> The recovery will be pretty lengthy and I won't be able to go back to work
>> for approx 3 months.  And naturally, this gives new meaning to the term,
>> single-handed sailing!  I could probably sit at the helm and steer, but
>> that's about all.  We were planning a 3 week trip to Brazil in June-July.
>> The trip is now extended to 5 weeks since I can't go right back to work.
>> That's the good news.  I can just as easily recover on a warm, tropical
>> beach as anywhere else.  8-)
>> 
>> I'll keep you posted on my progress.  Wish me luck!
>> 
>> Slim
>> 
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>> 
> 
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