April 25, 2007
Mortality
The hand surgeon said it can happen merely by flicking a crumb off a table cloth. Were I so fastidious.
I was unfolding my music stand for our band’s Monday night “show.” The tripod legs open to fit into sockets that hold them in place. When unsocketed, I keep them from flopping about by wrapping them with a large, industrial-strength, doubled rubber band. To remove the rubber band, I usually insert my hand inside, stretch it by extending my fingers, and slip it loose. Like the guy who worked in the department store in Chicago, I did, but I don’t anymore.
The motion ruptured the sagital (spelling varies, means arrow-shaped) band across the knuckles on my right hand at the middle finger (of course). This caused the attached tendon to flop over the knuckle and jerk my finger flush into the palm of my hand. It remains a memorable way to get my attention. My fellow musicians, sympathetic as ever, were not above making some notice of the digit involved.
The damage was repaired last Thursday, but not before the surgeon’s attendants in pre-Op could enjoy wondering out loud and in amazement, “And you did all this on a rubber band?” I don’t know about theirs, but my stitches were removed today. The surgeon seemed proud of his work, says it’s a minimum of three more weeks recovery and then possible therapy. He’ll do fine in the meantime. As for playing the Bb cornet, maybe I’ll try learning to do that with my left hand. Or stick to bugle calls. The doc didn’t seem all that concerned. Obviously, he’s never heard me play. I’ll keep index-typing per usual.
As for all the other continuing inconveniences becoming a right-handed person wrapped in a right-hand splint… like all good writers should, I’ll just leave those to your imagination.
And PS. Many thanks for all the emailed sympathy, even to those who could not resist a humorous jab or two. You’re indispensable.
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