News was not good - Page 2

News was not good · 10-14-2008, 06:16 PM

I spent 3 hrs in surgery today as a result of the tablesaw accident. Both the tendon and a nerves(s?) were cut. There was so much damage that neither could be reattached. I will never be able to bend the joint below the thumbnail again and part of the thumb will have no feeling. The joint where the thumb attaches to the hand was not affected so I will have use of that so I should be able to grip things. A big price to pay for a brief lapse in concentration but, as my wife was driving me home, I saw a paraplegic rolling down the sidewalk in his motorized wheel chair. I told my wife that things could be much worse. I always try to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. I don't know when it will happen, but that chest of drawers I was working on will be completed.

I really appreciate the concern and prayers of so many of you, It really helps.

Rod · 10-14-2008, 08:52 PM

Stuart,
So sorry to hear about your hand. God bless.
Rod

ptt49er · 10-14-2008, 09:24 PM

I wish you the quickest healing! Best of luck!!!! A few extra prayers are sent up for ya!

Alan in Little Washington · 10-14-2008, 09:44 PM

Sorry about your injury!

There seems to be a lot of woodworkers getting injured lately, including my buddy, Brent, in VA. It appears most of these injuries are not people being unsafe, but just lapses in attention. Too many things going on in the world today- Iraq/Afghanistan, elections, the economy, etc. which make it hard to keep focused on the task at hand. Ya' all be careful out there!!

Jim M. · 10-14-2008, 09:49 PM

"I always try to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. I don't know when it will happen, but that chest of drawers I was working on will be completed."

Stuart,
Your attitude and outward sense of hope makes not only your glass full, but makes it full for the rest of us. Your in my prayers, Jim

ErnieM · 10-14-2008, 10:51 PM

Stuart,

I was in NY for the past 2 weeks. When I got home this afternoon I logged onto North Carolina Woodworker and read the news of your accident. I hope your recovery is quick and painless. Having had two nasty accidents myself I shuddered when I read your post. You're so right, however. It could always be worse.
I'm so glad it wasn't. Heal quick, my friend.

Ernie

ashley_phil · 10-14-2008, 10:55 PM

Tough Break! But you are right you never have to look far to see people worse off than you.

Keep your chin up, it'll be 6 months to a year but you'll easy get back to normal.

Trent Mason · 10-14-2008, 10:57 PM

Stuart,

I'm really sorry to hear about your injury. You definitely have a great positive outlook though. You'll be fine. We're humans and inevitably there are times when we have to adapt. You're definitely in my prayers.

Trent

McRabbet · 10-15-2008, 06:49 AM

Stuart -- you've beat tougher things before, like that fantastic weight loss you've made over the past year, so it is not surprising that you've risen above this adversity so strongly in your mind. Positive attitude does help overcome such setbacks in life and we're sure you'll adapt to the loss in short order. Take good care to mend and you'll be back to the shop soon. If I were closer, I'd gladly come help you finish that CoD! Good luck in your recovery.

CaptnA · 10-15-2008, 07:44 AM

That is certainly not the news anyone wanted to hear. But you are right, it could be so much worse.
Your spirit and attitude, coupled with faith and determination will carry you through this, I have no doubt.
There are many on this site lifting you and yours up in our prayers, thoughts, and our hearts.

woodArtz · 10-15-2008, 08:03 AM

I'm very sorry to hear the news... Hang in there and please let me know if I can help with anything.

DavidF · 10-15-2008, 08:44 AM

I echo the sentiments of everybody else here and if nothing else comes out of this but that the rest of us try a bit harder to avoid the same fate, then that's a very good thing. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Glennbear · 10-15-2008, 08:46 AM

Sorry the outcome was not the best but as has been said, we adapt. I had an accident years ago which resulted in permanent nerve damage to my dominant hand but humans are a resilient species and we work around our physical shortcomings

JohnW · 10-15-2008, 09:46 AM

Stuart,
Your positive attitude...about your injury and in other recent posts...is inspiring. Thank you.

lwhughes149 · 10-15-2008, 11:03 PM

when you get down, and you probably will, just remember that the glass is always half full.

Tar Heel · 10-16-2008, 10:28 AM

I really want to thank all of you that have offered yours prayers and support. It has been said so many times before but I'll say it again...we really are a close knit family here. The comments I've read have really been helpful. Other than not sleeping well these last two nights, I'm doing reasonably well. Thank goodness for percoset. I really didn't have any intense pain the four days following the injury, but these two days since surgery have been quite different. Every time I turn over in bed I wake up. It hurts to even look at the thumb. The surgeon must have really probed around in the thumb trying to find the tendon and nerve. The pain is now down in my wrist area also. But, things will get better and I'll be enjoying woodworking again in the not too distant future.

Again, thanks for the support. Several have offered to come help me finish the chest of drawers and I really appreciate that. However, that is something that I want to do. It will be my motivation to put this incident behind me and get back to doing the things I enjoy.