Terrible Weekend

[Bladez]

so what is the best way to design with a broken hand?

That's right. I broke my right hand this weekend in a car wreck. I rolled my truck on the highway and am now in a half cast, and can't properly use a mouse. Suggestions?

http://homepage.mac.com/bladez/.Pictures/driver%20side%202.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/bladez/.Pictures/path.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/bladez/.Pictures/half%20cast%202.jpg


And no, I can't really use my other 2 fingers very well.

[Red Kittie Kat]

aww geez Bladez :( I'm so sorry. Thank goodness you are not more severely hurt. Looks like you went for quite a ride.

I hope you aren't in too much pain.

You know as far as your mouse goes .. you can set it up for left handed use. I had to do that for my ex when he injured his right hand and it worked out well for him.

Poor you http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/a042.gif

[Diablos]

Whoa bad crash mate, at least count your blessings :(
Hope you hand gets better quick.

[bashall]

wow....lucky the rest of u ok tho mate. hope u get better soon!

[Tea]

Yikes. You are so lucky since you rolled and with the weather conditions, it could have been so much worse. After a few days you'll probably start adjusting to using your hand again.

Hope you recover fast.

[morea]

Maybe it's a good time to ask your boss to pick up a pen and tablet. Otherwise, switching the mouse is probably your best bet.

As the others have said, thank goodness you weren't hurt more seriously. I hope that you start feeling better soon.

[CkretAjint]

Dude, that sucks! Try using the mouse with the other hand! :p

[MikeHun]

Speedy recovery man, you are alive and you will heal.
Using a pen and tablet or a track ball type of mouse/input.

[Typically]

that sucks dude. at least you are alright besides the hand. i've never broken my hand so i don't know how long it'll take for you to get used to it but i'm guessing it wouldn't be too bad. at least you didn't break both of them =]

[Ben Kessler]

Sorry about the hand, Baldez! I hope you get better fast...

[garricks]

Man, sorry to hear that. Hope you mend soon. I agree with^^, try your other hand. It may be clumsy for detail work at first, but you'll get the hang of it.

[Kool]

That sucks Blade, glad your not hurt too bad. :)

[Virgo Nightingale]

Glad to hear you weren't hurt worse than a broken hand. You're lucky, though I'm sure you don't feel especially lucky right now!

I can't really add any more suggestions as far as how to use a mouse. I think a trackball might be easiest, but left-handing the mouse is a good idea too.

[longboy]

Wacom tablet?

[Bladez]

Thanks for all the well wishes. I'll hopefully be out of the cast in a month and I'm really hoping I don't need surgery. apparently the tendons keep pulling things out of place so a bit of reconstruction may be necessary. Lame.

I've tried using my left hand for a mouse before, and it's super awkward and uncomfortable, but switching my mouse to left handed settings seems
to be a good plan. I'm off work today to deal with my insurance and everything so at least I have a trackpad at home. tomorrow is when the real challenge begins.

We're still surprised we faired as well as we did. Right shoulder hurts, ribs are a little sore. G/F's neck is extremely sore and her shoulder is seperated. says she's in a lot of pain because she's had shoulder problems for years, and this hasn't helped.

[mojoprime]

yikes. thank god it wasn't worse.

and, speaking as a lefty, come join us! :)

[Bladez]

yikes. thank god it wasn't worse.

and, speaking as a lefty, come join us! :)

*LOL* my brother's a lefty too and can't understand why I'm having problems. I believe his words were "I can do that with my left hand, what's the problem"

[WannaBrie]

Aw, scary, Bladez! But glad it was only your hand, get better soon! Sorry, I have no good advice, I think I'd suck with my left hand!

[Silence04]

that looks like it would be scary situation. It's good you only have a broken hand. Glad you're ok and hope you get better soon!

[LeftBrain Artist]

Dang, that's worse than mine. I broke my thumb a little over a month ago - but its my left hand. I can use all my fingers though, still, keyboard shortcuts are a little difficult. Not as bad as doing buttons or zippers though. I've only got a couple days left to wear this dumb thing, but if I had to do it over again, I'd see if I couldn't fannagle myself a lackey to do the work for me and bring in a nice couch to recline on and bark orders from between being fed grapes. That would be the way to go. See if your insurance might cover that.

Rolling the truck in a snow storm? Cool. Far more exciting than my injury - gf talked me into roller skating. I absolutely sucked at it when I was a kid, 20 years ago. I showed vast improvement on going forward and turning - stopping proved to be just as tricky as I remember it.

Hope your hand feels better.

[Bladez]

I'd see if I couldn't fannagle myself a lackey to do the work for me and bring in a nice couch to recline on and bark orders from between being fed grapes.

I like the way you think. I'll look into that :D

Rolling the truck in a snow storm? Cool.
Not so much cool, as scary as hell. And would you believe this is the second truck I've rolled? The first time I got hit by a semi and it sent me rolling. Walked away from that with minor whiplash and nothing more *LOL* that was a company vehicle so at least I still had wheels to get home.

[urstwile]

Yikes, Bladez, I'm sorry to hear about your hand. Hopefully you'll find a way to adjust using the left handed mouse or something else.

[5Notches]

Holy crap, where was that snow storm? Was that near Calgary? I live in Edmonton, it wasn't like that up here this weekend.......OMFG!

[CkretAjint]

speaking as a lefty, come join us! :)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4186BSMXAWL._AA280_.jpg

:D

[frankster]

Cripes! Glad you're not more messed up than that, but still, what a bit of you to injure! Good luck with the left handed mouse thing. I am a spaz with my left hand.

[budafist]

Just use your mouse with your other hand. Sure you will feel like a total retard to begin with but after a just a day you will be suprised how much faster you get at it.

I had to use my mouse with my left hand for few days. Lucky we weren't crazy busy. Just busy enough to mean I had to get used to it quick.

[Bladez]

Holy crap, where was that snow storm? Was that near Calgary? I live in Edmonton, it wasn't like that up here this weekend.......OMFG!

That was at Dead Mans Flats, just east of Canmore. It was weird, the roads were completely dry in Canmore, then at soon as I reached dead mans flats, it was total snow and ice. I lost control while slowing down to adjust for the conditions and shift into 4x4. it was terrible weather. According to the RCMP that showed up on scene, that stretch of highway is a common place for accidents due to weather.

[Tobivest]

I'd call you a lucky bastard, but it's only a hand.

[Bladez]

Just a quick update to anyone who may be interested. Got a call from the hospital today. I'm going for more x-rays on saturday to find out if I need to have my hand reconstructed and pins put into my fingers.

[Red Kittie Kat]

Good Luck!! I hope you don't need surgery http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/a042.gif

[Takayuki]

Just a quick update to anyone who may be interested. Got a call from the hospital today. I'm going for more x-rays on saturday to find out if I need to have my hand reconstructed and pins put into my fingers.
That sounds like X-Men. Can I shake hands without getting my hand crushed!:D Good luck, and send us some good news.

[m00nwater]

Yikes! That kind of surgery will for sure take some time to heal. Do you get any sort of short-term disability benefits from work? I'd take advantage of that if you are also feeling pain in other parts of your body. You might find it will be quite uncomfortable to sit at a desk all day and at the same time try to learn to use a mouse with your left hand. At least half days are maybe an option?

[garricks]

Dude, good luck with that...hope you don't need the pins. I'll keep a cold on waitin' on ya, 'k?

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/garricks/GDF/450px-GuinnessBeer.gif

[Bladez]

Yikes! That kind of surgery will for sure take some time to heal. Do you get any sort of short-term disability benefits from work? I'd take advantage of that if you are also feeling pain in other parts of your body. You might find it will be quite uncomfortable to sit at a desk all day and at the same time try to learn to use a mouse with your left hand. At least half days are maybe an option?

I had monday off work, but now I'm back in full swing (or, at least, as much as I can be). The only thing that hurts is my right arm, and I've got a wacom tablet now, so I don't have to fight with a mouse anymore. If I have to go for surgery, then I'll find out how much time I'm able to get off work.

Garricks: Thanks :) I'll be taking you up on that!

And thanks to everyone else for the well wishes and good vibes. I feel all warm and squishy inside ;)

[cornfed]

Pain meds is what you need! I sprained my shoulder a few weeks ago and still had to work. I couldn't have done it without the darvocet!

Good luck!

[Bladez]

Just another update for you kids. Found out yesterday that I probably won't be needing reconstructive surgery on my hand :) Just another 6 weeks in the cast. The truck has been assessed as a total loss. Estimated at more than $13K worth of damage. :(

Passenger is still having serious problems with her shoulder/hand, and now she might be suing me for damages. Needless to say, if she does that, our relationship is over. And next week I'm buying a new car for cheap until I can afford a new truck.

[garricks]

Good for not needing the surgery, :/ for the rest.

Sending good thoughts your way...

[Tea]

Oh, boy. That's not great news. I agree and hopefully you won't have to undergo the surgery.

[CkretAjint]

Glad to hear you are doing better then originally thought! Sucks about the passenger (gotta love happy-go-lucky sueing America! :rolleyes:)

[Red Kittie Kat]

Good to hear you won't need surgery .. as for the rest .. good luck and hope things work out for you. That is a tough spot to be in. http://redkittiekat.com/p9/confused.gif

[Bladez]

gotta love happy-go-lucky sueing America! :rolleyes:

but I'm in Canada *LOL*

[urstwile]

Ewww, sorry to hear the news about the sueing thing, Bladez. But I'm glad you won't have to have surgery, that's a plus, at least. :)

[Virgo Nightingale]

I'm glad to hear you won't need the surgery. I can't believe your passenger/girlfriend whatever is considering suing you. That's just d¡ck.

[Typically]

i concur

[Bladez]

well, I got the email today. She's filing the claim. And here's the kicker, she doesn't know why I'm so pissed off at her about it! Her words were "You're not f**ked, your insurance company pays for it" She doesn't seem to realize that now my premiums are going to skyrocket even more because of it. And now I'm apparently an "unsupportive bastard" and am just another guy added to the list of guys that have "told her they love her and then left her when she needs them most". Apparently my previous offers of "If you need anything what so ever, let me know and I'll help you out with as much as I can" fell on deaf ears. If I wasn't in a cast, I'd hit something.....

[Drazan]

Keep that email.

In her words alone can exempt you from the claim. Also if her and your med bills are over your insurance limit you are responsible for the difference to her "claim". Aka you could very well be shelling out of pocket for the claim.

Sounds like she's just trying to get some free money.

On the flip side if she does sue and signs off on the settlement then she's not entitled to anything else - ever. In other words if she has trouble 15 years from now and tries to go back and claim - she can't because of the sign off on the suite.

At least that is what happens in the US.

Either way. If she's going to pursue it, then let her send you as many emails as she'd like and use them against her.

**hates evil-greedy ignorant people**
Jade

[Drazan]

This is actually the first time I've been able to read through this thread.

((hugs Bladez))

Jade

[Red Kittie Kat]

Damn Bladez sorry to hear that :(

http://redkittiekat.com/p9/squeeze.gif

[Bladez]

I'm not sure how much she can claim. I talked to a friend of mine who works in a law firm, and this accident may have a capped claim, meaning she can't get more than a legally set amount. Also, the fact that this is an old injury from a previous accident could help my cause too. Her shoulder never healed right the first time, before she ever met me, so it's nothing fresh. Either way, I'm still pissed and have basically told her to f**k off.

[Tea]

Those were the right words. I need to say them to a few people too.

[Optimusdinkus]

Just use your mouse with your other hand. Sure you will feel like a total retard to begin with but after a just a day you will be suprised how much faster you get at it.

I had to use my mouse with my left hand for few days. Lucky we weren't crazy busy. Just busy enough to mean I had to get used to it quick.
wha happened to the right one? :)

[garricks]

Bladez, how you doin', buddy? Give us a check-in and let us know...

[Bladez]

Well, I've only got 1 more month to go in the cast! HUZZAH! Then I'll know for sure what I need as far as physio goes. As for the claim, nothing has come of it yet. She decided to wait until she knows the results of her physio before actually filing. So it's just an open file thankfully. I got my insurance payout for my truck. Paid off the loan and bought a car (2000 Grand Am). Damage was assessed at more that $13K on initial inspection, without even climbing under. So was a total loss. So that's about where things stand right now. She and I are back on talking terms. Actually going over there tonight to pick up my Crown Royal and some movies. So it seems a friendship will still be possible.

Thanks again everyone for all the good vibes and cake!

[Red Kittie Kat]

That's good to hear Bladez ... I hope things continue to remain friendly :)

[Bladez]

Well, she and I talked things over and worked things out.....well, more or less. We've agreed that a relationship will never be possible. We've tried twice now and realized that when it comes right down to it, we just don't click that way. We discussed this while laying in bed.....so, obviously we click on that level, but that's as far as it will go between us, and I think I can handle that :) At least we saved the friendship, mostly. Still upset that things won't workout, but at least we found out before we got to far over our heads.

[budafist]

wha happened to the right one? :)

Actually, nothing happened to my right hand. My keyboard stopped working (due to flooding) so I was using a non-apple keyboard until my new apple keyboard arrived. Being a non-apple keyboard, it didn't have a usb thing to plug my short corded apple mouse into. My mouse was far too short to reach from my computer usb to the right side of me, but it could just reach to the left side.

I could have moved my computer over to the right, but that was where I get into my desk. So due to laziness, I picked to use the mouse on my left side.

[MikeHun]

The Bloom is off that Alberta Rose Eh Bladez?

[Bladez]

The Bloom is off that Alberta Rose Eh Bladez?

Yea, pretty much...c'est la vie

[MikeHun]

Just pluck another flower from the bush.

[Bladez]

Just pluck another flower from the bush.

Already working on that...found out a girl I'm really interested in just broke up with her 2 yr. boyfriend...so now I'm gonna play the "I'm there for you" card....until I'm just "there"

[Red Kittie Kat]

you dawg :D

[tuliptree]

Geez Bladez, I somehow managed to totally miss this. I am ususally off playing in the Off Topic area or else reading in the Printing/Prepress and haven't even been in these here parts for a while. I'm so sorry to hear about your accident! Just happy to you're healing and that it wasn't worse. Good luck with the new gal, too!

[Bladez]

Thanks Tulip :)

And what can I say RKK....it's tough being this pretty *LOL*

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao Bladez :D

[budafist]

a girl I'm really interested in just broke up with her 2 yr. boyfriend

She sounds like a cradle snatcher! :D

[Bladez]

LOL Buda.

Not to worry, I've got almost 4 years on her, so she won't be robbing the cradle this time....

[Bladez]

2 and a half weeks to go!!! And the cast comes off! The countdown is on! I can't wait!

[Virgo Nightingale]

Yay! :) Must be itchin' like crazy.

[Bladez]

Yay! :) Must be itchin' like crazy.

I tried getting a pair of scissors in there to scratch...they don't fit...I can't get anything in there. I'm going nuts!

[garricks]

Have you tried a knitting needle?

[frankster]

I'm sure Bladez has a load of them lying around the house.

Or maybe a BBQ skewer?

[garricks]

*shrug* A knitting needle is what I used, borrowed from a friend.

A BBQ skewer would work just as well...or a radio/TV antenna... :D

[Kool]

I always thought a wire coat hanger was the standard under the cast scratching implement.

[Bladez]

all brilliant ideas...sadly, I have none hahahaha.

Don't know anyone who knits, all my coat hangars are plastic and I sadly have no bbq skewers....

You kids are so smart tho ;)

[garricks]

No! Wire! Coat! Hangers!

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/garricks/GDF/MommieDearest.jpg

:D

[Bladez]

^ Omglmao!

[Red Kittie Kat]

No! Wire! Coat! Hangers!

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/garricks/GDF/MommieDearest.jpg

:D



ahem ... that should be ....


NO WIRE HANGERS ......... EVERRRRR!!!

:D:D

[Red Kittie Kat]

btw ... just as well you can't fit anything down there to scratch ... if you punctured or scratched your skin you could get a pretty nasty infection with the moisture going on in there.

You can try a blowdryer on a low or cool setting to get some air in there or canned air in short spurts ... the air helps alleviate the intense itching ;)

[budafist]

Chopstick? If you don't have one, surely there is a place near you with disposable ones?

[Bladez]

well, with it being a half cast, I learned that if I unwrap it I can slide it off...prolly not the best idea in the world, but it helped with the itch!! and it was only off for about 10 seconds before I carefully put it back on. ;)

[frankster]

I had an old fashioned plaster castwhen I broke my wrist and when it was taken off my skin was all dry and elephant hidey. It was grim.

[garricks]

Thanks, Red, I haven't seen the movie since it first came out. Do I get points for being close?

Knitting needles are usually quite smooth and won't scratch...that's one reason I suggested it.

But the good news is you seem to be healing nicely!!

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao Garricks ... of course you get points darlin ;)

[Bladez]

I know what ya mean Frankster. After unwrapping my arm it was pretty gross because of all the dead skin and crap. Bleh! I've been asking people if it smells like ass crack or pepperoni.....My money's on pepperoni....

[budafist]

Bleh! I've been asking people if it smells like ass crack or pepperoni.....My money's on pepperoni....

Is that how you pick up the ladies? :p

[Bladez]

well, I tried, but it didn't work. Instead I was called disgusting, repulsive and gross. That's not a good sign is it???

[urstwile]

I'm a-thinkin' no. :D

[Bladez]

UPDATE:

Yesterday I went for x-rays on my hand and it's looking like I'll be done with the cast on monday-ish! :D

I got to take the cast off for the x-ray which was a little piece of heaven, but the skin on the hand is pretty gnarly lookin...and I've got a coke nail from hell! I will hopefully have full results tomorrow or monday, but they're saying it's a good chance I can ditch it for good! I'll just go to the dr. and get him to have a final look at it with the cast off and to help me get my fingers moving again. Then discuss physio. But the end is in sight!! I'm so excited!!

[morea]

hooray! It must be such a relief to have the end in sight! I am very happy for you. :)

[garricks]

Congrats, Bladez! I'm excited for you!

[budafist]

...what's a coke nail?

[garricks]

A nail that's perfectly shaped to open a can of soda.

No, seriously, it's a really long nail used for snorting coke. I haven't seen one since the early 90s, but I travel in quieter circles these days. :D

[budafist]

I feel so sheltered.

[urstwile]

Good to hear Bladez! Just in time for summer. :)

[Red Kittie Kat]

Great news Bladez!!! woo hoo!! :D


.... clip that nail .. you could put an eye out :D

[Bladez]

but the nail goes so well with the razorblade around my neck :)

[MikeHun]

You can pick up some new ladies and impress them with the crash story.
I'm sure you'll scoop up some sympathy points with the horrific details:)

[Virgo Nightingale]

Awesome news Bladez!!

[tuliptree]

Yeay Bladez!

[Bladez]

You can pick up some new ladies and impress them with the crash story.
I'm sure you'll scoop up some sympathy points with the horrific details:)

I've also learned that if I tell them that I broke my hand by hitting a guy, because he was attacking a girl in an alley, it scores me Hero points too :)

[Red Kittie Kat]

Until they hear about the old girlfriend from friends ....



:D

[tuliptree]

I've also learned that if I tell them that I broke my hand by hitting a guy, because he was attacking a girl in an alley, it scores me Hero points too :)

Saxy! ;)

[Bladez]

that's why I run in different circles than the ex Kittie :) the more seperation I can get the better *LOL* Even tho I know there's only 6 degrees before it gets back, but by then hopefully the story is completely changed and involves a purple monkey dishwasher. Gotta love the "telephone" effect :)

*LOL* Tks Tulip

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao Bladez :D

[budafist]

They call it the telephone effect nowdays? I know it by a much more un-PC name! :D

Hint: If I speak really, really quietly, that's what I'm talking about.

[urstwile]

We always called it the "post office effect". Although there was a game we played in school, where you had to "what Buda's talking about" in someone ear, and they had to repeat what they heard into the person next to them's ear, etc. and at the end, you compared the beginning message to the end resulting message.

[Bladez]

My cast is off!!! HUZZAH! and the coke nail was uber-scary!

it's still really tender, and I can't bend my fingers forward all the way. Limited mobility in my pinkie finger and a bit in the ring finger, but physio should help that. The bone of my little finger has deteriorated a bit from lack of use, so I've got to work on that. Typing is a challenge still, as I can't move it over enough to hit the "Enter" key, instead I have to move my whole hand. Dr. say's it'll take 2 or 3 days for my fingers to loosen up enough for better mobility. I can only bend it about half way before it starts to hurt like hell, but at least it's still all in one piece. It's not yet 100% healed, but enough so that they were confident enough to remove the cast. And thank god. My knuckles are red and raw from rubbing on the inside of the cast. But things are continuing to look up.

Although, at the bar tonight I saw a friend and he forgot that I just got the cast off and when he left, when shaking my hand he squeezed to hard and it hurt to the point that it actually made my eyes water....gonna have to be careful with this for the next month or so.

[Red Kittie Kat]

Yikes .. you better take care of it .. people soon forget you were in a cast. :eek:

I bet it feels great having it off though ... even tho it feels a bit vulnerable now ;)

[Randomhero]

Yikes .. you better take care of it .. people soon forget you were in a cast. :eek:


Lol, watch out for high 5s and crusher handshakes :p

[garricks]

Easy does it, bladez!

I've heard that a great way to do physical therapy is to repeatedly raise a beer mug from waist height up to your mouth and back. Repeat until the mug is empty, then do several more sets of reps. :D

[Typically]

hmmmmm maybe i'll break my hand =]

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao Typ :D

[Bladez]

that's a fantastic suggestion Garrick! If that's the way it works, then I started my recovery last night when finished up at the Dr. I'm well on my way :D

Typ, if you do decide to break your hand, I strongly suggest breaking your left (unless you're left handed, then break your right). Trying to learn to do everything with the opposite hand is rough! Plus showering with a bag on your hand is awkward *LOL*

[Typically]

haha im sure i can come up with some other reason to bring a mug up to my face repeatedly without breaking something =] regarding the showering that's what a gf is for :D i've actually been lucky though and haven't broken anything :knocks on wood: only had stitches on my ears and that was my fault for trying to stretch the cartilage on the top of the ear hehe

[Bladez]

hahaha, nice. I've had some sort of broken bone for the last 6 months. Dec-feb I had broken ribs, Mar-may was a broken hand, Lets see if I'm done breaking myself!

Perfect excuse for bringing a mug of beer to your face repeatedly: It's beer. 'Nuff said