Truth or Consequences (Las Cruces, Silver City, Socorro: RV park, buy, theatres)

[hoppybunn]

Wow I'm sorry about your hand Dracul, good thing that you went to the doctor when you did or the story could have turned out much worse . Wow I guess I learned something today, I never knew that cats could do so much damage!

[Devin Bent]

Yes, dracul, sorry to hear about your hand. I hope it continues to improve from now on.

[GregW]

Dracul - How is your other hand? Switching dominant hands can be difficult but that is why we have two of them. Good luck on your recovery.

[LiveWorkDream]

Originally Posted by desert sun

Where is the new Wal-Mart being built at? I drove through TorC a few weeks ago and didnt see nothing,I wasnt really looking for it either but I figured it would be just off the interstate.

It's NOT being built right now, the entire project is on hiatus and has been for quite some time. From what I was told by a local business owner, the WalMart in Socorro is tanking, so they are now re-thinking their presence in T or C.

[dracul]

Thanks for the concern all. You're a good group, I knew it when I landed here quite some time back! The hand is SLOWLY progressing. Middle finger droops because of heavy scar tissue (inhibiting tendon movement and nerve function) that has increased the girth of my wrist to over 9"! Conventional keyboarding, be it for a computer or to make music is impossible. Can't ride my bike unless I tape my middle finger to my index and/or ring fingers...only then can I reach my brake lever. My drawing is improving as my thumb and index fingers are recovering much faster. I work out my wrists, forearms and hands three times a day now and massage the injury site and the scar tissue vigorously. Looking into picking up an ultrasound therapeutic massager to assist with my TEMS unit. My hand is not progressing very rapidly but my forearms are bulging This gimp hand is driving me to distraction!!!!!

Greg...your advice about training my left arm/hand to assume the lead is something I've been experimenting with lately. It seems to be helping. My left shoulder has major damage from old lifting injuries and my left bicep has been surgically reattached (again, powerlifting related severe injury) but there is nothing wrong with my left hand. Odd to use all of my left hand digits keyboarding while only using the thumb and forefinger of my right mitt...but it sure beats not having the hand/arm at all!!!!!!

P.S. Concerning the motorcycling: it's really too dangerous to ride as my response time is protracted...have to consciously reach for the brake rather than it being nearly a reflex as before. I love to ride nearly as much as I love to draw but I don't need to pile up my ride and my bod at this juncture.

[Towanda]

Good grief, Dracul, what a nightmare you are going through! I am glad you got treatment so quickly so it wasn't a whole lot worse than it has already been for you!! I hope now you are on the road to recovery and rehab and that every day you see some improvement. Keep us informed.....

[dracul]

Went over to my favorite motorcycle gearheads today to have them modify my brake lever placement (over to the left side) so I can ride again! The hand still shows no hint of normal finger restoration despite massive workouts (dumbell wrist curls with up to 100 pounders!). Looking into ultrasound and infrared devices. Using TEMS daily. Serious bummer. But I've many blessings ans it could have been much worse. A female bike racer I know recently hand an accident requiring extensive surgical repair of her hand. Much worse bummer than mine. Aloha.

[dracul]

Upon reflection two things immediately become apparent: (1) I'm taking nothing for granted and seriously living in the moment. I'm adopting a somewhat more cautious approach to being a berserker ()...I sometimes now actually look in either direction before I cross the street on foot! (2) I'm immersing myself in fitness...perhaps to compensate for this exasperating hand I no longer quite know how to operate. I'm hitting the heavy iron like I haven't done in over ten years! I'm eating well again. I'm riding my mountain bike like I intend to destroy it every time I throw a leg over it! I'm taking long walks, smelling the flowers along the way...and respecting cats

I'm teaching my left hand to move up and take over, something I already started when I took up tattooing a few years back: all tattooists worth their ink can draw with nearly equal facility with either hand. It's a job requirement when ebellishing human flesh in all its many forms and sizes. I'm learning to write now as a lefty as well. I'm eating as a lefty. I'm grooming as a lefty. Not easy but not impossible.

I'm grateful for my arm and hand. I'm grateful for the love of my family and their support during this period when I've been plenty angry and feeling sorry for myself. I'm grateful for life and its endless possibilities. I'm grateful for second...and third...chances (at least).

I believe in getting up eight times after being knocked down seven...or in my case...getting up 100 times after being KO'd 99 times!!! Never yield, never give up, never surrender!

[Towanda]

Great post, dracul ... good advice for every one of us. I gave you some rep points for that.

[dracul]

Thanks Towanda. Moving this mouse as a lefty is getting smoother. I've always taken my beloved pit bull dogs as my inspiration, at least to a point. They are marvelously courageous and tenaceous critters to say the least. I admire them immensely. I try to soldier on in times of adversity, after all, many in this tempestuous world have it far worse than I. I'm still on my feet, battered as hell from head to foot, but I can still gather the will to face life's demons. I've made many mistakes but I've had many triumphs as well. In life's balance sheet...thus far...I've done OK. It's all still a work in progress at the end of the day. Life requires grit at times and patience. I'm seriously challenged by the patience part.

That which does not kill me only makes me stronger (yeah right!)