Went in today looking at prosthetics. They did basic measurement but needed me to decide on what type. I was initially going towards the absolute lowest for just my middle finger which is 1/3rd gone. Looking at this silicone slip with a solid tip and the base is a ring. It provides function for almost just touch screen on phones and to push buttons with and was not even worried about my index which is 2/3rds gone. I was thinking solely about work practicability. But she said why am I worried about what is helpful just at work. That whatever I get should help me outside of work. So trying to get two. One is a sort of two finger contraction with rings on the base of the finger attached to a plate on the top of my hand that goes to a sort of wristwatch type thing to lock it all in place. The fingers have up to like 180lbs of downward pressure. She said that would help with work but would also help me with holding dumbbells for curling and doing shoulder shrugs. The other is a heavy duty single finger brace for the middle finger only. It slips on still like a ring but is not silicone. Itās a harder frame that should still fit into work gloves and will help with pushing buttons so the amputated button does not constantly get bashed to push them and I sometimes hit buttons 4,000 times a day that takes like 25lbs of pressure to push down 1/2 a inch to cycle the machine . She also said at another clinic they have consents of silicone fingers with tips in a wide range of colors used for examples. That they get new ones every few years or so and that some of them may fit me well and she will bring them and just give them to me but that they will be in a wide range of natural skin tones and weird colors. I go back in two weeks once the ring kit is in to test them and get more accurate measurements and that it will take about 3 months for them to come in. If they get approved. If not, Iāll probably get the two finger one since itās more expensive and use the silicone fingers for button pushing jobs.
Good to hear you are making progress and that there are ways to improve functionality.
A good friend recently had a below knee amputation due to a medical condition she has, and is waiting to heal enough to get fitted, then will need a lot of therapy to get back on her feet. Or foot, I guess. Anyway, she has had some depression and body image challenges, but is doing remarkably well with having a good attitude. Probably better than I have with the loss of my prostate and all that entails. But watching both her and you has helped me get over myself, so thank you for your good example.
I imagine that yours is just as invasive feeling or even more so than mine. I think I would rather lose a finger than lose parts of or the entirety of an internal organ. For me I donāt really struggle with body image as much as struggle with being perceived as less useful. Like since itās my right hand which is my dominant hand I constantly find myself in annoying and embarrassing situations like at the grocery store. I canāt handle coins with my right hand and now I also have to put my wallet in my left pocket. I hold it with my left hand too. But my right hand canāt get the cards or cash out easily or quickly. So I have to place the wallet in my right hand after pulling it out and then get the cash out. Or if Iām holding my wallet in my left hand and they give me cash back with coins I canāt pick the coins up with my right hand so I have to keep constantly switching my wallet back and forth. I have to lean over and use my left hand to turn on the car which is not that annoying but when someone is with me they notice. Since my right hand canāt hold groceries as good often when itās just 3-5 bags Iāll have them in my good/left hand. But then get to my car and canāt use my right hand to get the keys or to unlock the door so I have to sit them all down. Unlock the door and open it and open It and pick the groceries back up. Because my thumb pad can almost not feel anything or hold a cup well Several times Iāve been on my couch and have a cup in my left hand, and have to them place it between my legs just so I can grab the remote and use it. Hopefully the prosthetics will help.
Somehow it really affected my sleep. Iāve got maybe 3-4 nights of 5 1/2 - 6 hours of sleep. Itās 11am here now. Iāve been laying in my bed in the dark since 730pm. Finally gave up. Still have to wake up in 3 hours for work. Iāve got about 3-4.5 hours of sleep on average a night since the accident. Itās wearing me out more than anything. Iām going to try to get done sleeping pills I think. Canāt even imagine how much mechanical stuff Iāll struggle with that requires two hands.
I hope you get to a point where suddenly you are doing things intuitively with the best hand for each job. It might sneak up on you, Mi.
On a lighter note but one that might appeal to you tomorrow is International Vulture Awareness Day and a birding friend of mine posted this photo today to spread the word.
Great to know this Mark, what a cool photo! I have a paper on vultures in review in the Journal of Raptor Research at the moment and agree these birds do deserve more appreciation. (handling the birds is not so much fun if unless you are into having decayed roadkill skunk ooze regurgitated all over you. Itās a defense mechanismā¦ 
