Home » The PARIS Forums » PARIS: Main » Weird Question
| Weird Question [message #91265] |
Wed, 10 October 2007 21:09  |
Neil
Messages: 1645
Registered: April 2006
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
to lose all or part of that finger.
Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
what's the point?
Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
(whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
further.
SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
more educated decision.
Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
appreciate it. Lemme know!
Neil
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| Re: Weird Question [message #91268 is a reply to message #91265] |
Wed, 10 October 2007 21:28  |
Aaron Allen
Messages: 1988
Registered: May 2008
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Tony Iommi had several fingers damaged and the drummer from Def Leppard was
missing an entire arm. Many greats were blind or lost their sight. I didn't
see them slowing down so I cannot imagine you will slow/stop if you love
what you do. I believe you will prevail, and though you may not play the
same way, I bet you'll find new ways and new things that are unique and
possibly better if that is to be the way. We're amazing creatures when
called upon to be.
All the best things man.
AA
"Neil" <OIOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:470da20c$1@linux...
>
> I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
> had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
> my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
> things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
> healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
> he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
> results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
> confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
> to lose all or part of that finger.
>
> Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
> anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
> of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
> what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
> to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
> probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
> gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
> to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
> not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
> MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
> anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
> what's the point?
>
> Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
> surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
> three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
> over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
> finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
> Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
> (whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
> amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
> wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
> involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
> section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
> further.
> SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
> with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
> play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
> to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
> larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
> prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
> says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
> where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
> spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
> about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
> out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
> is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
> prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
> more educated decision.
>
> Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
> appreciate it. Lemme know!
>
> Neil
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| Re: Weird Question [message #91271 is a reply to message #91268] |
Wed, 10 October 2007 21:49 |
Neil
Messages: 1645
Registered: April 2006
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I know about Iommi... he has two first-joint prosthesis' - he
was the first guy I thought of, of course. That's a different
hand, though, the fretting hand doesn't have to apply much
pressure - in fact, the less pressure, the better.. helps you
to play smoother/faster - and certainly no lateral pressure (as
in holding a pick securely. Rick Allen/whole different thing...
he overcame that with technology to some extent, and re-learning
his playing patterns to another - which I may have to do, but
obviously in a different manner. Believe me, I'm not
saying "that's it, I give up", I'm just looking for someone
else who I might be able to ask (I don't think Tony Iommi would
chat me up) about what kind of finger prosthesis they have,
where it's attached, & what it's capable of doing in terms of
both pressure & dexterity. I know nothing about this, so I'm
just trying to get some info from a musical users' standpoint.
Neil
"Aaron Allen" <know-spam@not_here.dude> wrote:
>Tony Iommi had several fingers damaged and the drummer from Def Leppard
was
>missing an entire arm. Many greats were blind or lost their sight. I didn't
>see them slowing down so I cannot imagine you will slow/stop if you love
>what you do. I believe you will prevail, and though you may not play the
>same way, I bet you'll find new ways and new things that are unique and
>possibly better if that is to be the way. We're amazing creatures when
>called upon to be.
>
>All the best things man.
>
>AA
>
>
>"Neil" <OIOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:470da20c$1@linux...
>>
>> I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
>> had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
>> my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
>> things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
>> healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
>> he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
>> results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
>> confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
>> to lose all or part of that finger.
>>
>> Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
>> anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
>> of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
>> what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
>> to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
>> probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
>> gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
>> to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
>> not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
>> MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
>> anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
>> what's the point?
>>
>> Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
>> surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
>> three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
>> over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
>> finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
>> Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
>> (whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
>> amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
>> wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
>> involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
>> section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
>> further.
>> SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
>> with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
>> play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
>> to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
>> larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
>> prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
>> says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
>> where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
>> spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
>> about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
>> out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
>> is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
>> prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
>> more educated decision.
>>
>> Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
>> appreciate it. Lemme know!
>>
>> Neil
>
>
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| Re: Weird Question [message #91273 is a reply to message #91271] |
Wed, 10 October 2007 21:46 |
Aaron Allen
Messages: 1988
Registered: May 2008
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I've had friends meet Iommi, and they said he's quite approachable if you
can dig up a number/agent/contact info.
Geez, this might seem obvious, but have you googled keywords in combos?
AA
"Neil" <OIUOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:470dab40$1@linux...
>
> I know about Iommi... he has two first-joint prosthesis' - he
> was the first guy I thought of, of course. That's a different
> hand, though, the fretting hand doesn't have to apply much
> pressure - in fact, the less pressure, the better.. helps you
> to play smoother/faster - and certainly no lateral pressure (as
> in holding a pick securely. Rick Allen/whole different thing...
> he overcame that with technology to some extent, and re-learning
> his playing patterns to another - which I may have to do, but
> obviously in a different manner. Believe me, I'm not
> saying "that's it, I give up", I'm just looking for someone
> else who I might be able to ask (I don't think Tony Iommi would
> chat me up) about what kind of finger prosthesis they have,
> where it's attached, & what it's capable of doing in terms of
> both pressure & dexterity. I know nothing about this, so I'm
> just trying to get some info from a musical users' standpoint.
>
> Neil
>
>
>
> "Aaron Allen" <know-spam@not_here.dude> wrote:
>>Tony Iommi had several fingers damaged and the drummer from Def Leppard
> was
>>missing an entire arm. Many greats were blind or lost their sight. I
>>didn't
>
>>see them slowing down so I cannot imagine you will slow/stop if you love
>
>>what you do. I believe you will prevail, and though you may not play the
>
>>same way, I bet you'll find new ways and new things that are unique and
>
>>possibly better if that is to be the way. We're amazing creatures when
>>called upon to be.
>>
>>All the best things man.
>>
>>AA
>>
>>
>>"Neil" <OIOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:470da20c$1@linux...
>>>
>>> I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
>>> had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
>>> my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
>>> things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
>>> healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
>>> he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
>>> results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
>>> confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
>>> to lose all or part of that finger.
>>>
>>> Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
>>> anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
>>> of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
>>> what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
>>> to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
>>> probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
>>> gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
>>> to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
>>> not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
>>> MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
>>> anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
>>> what's the point?
>>>
>>> Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
>>> surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
>>> three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
>>> over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
>>> finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
>>> Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
>>> (whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
>>> amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
>>> wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
>>> involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
>>> section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
>>> further.
>>> SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
>>> with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
>>> play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
>>> to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
>>> larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
>>> prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
>>> says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
>>> where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
>>> spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
>>> about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
>>> out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
>>> is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
>>> prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
>>> more educated decision.
>>>
>>> Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
>>> appreciate it. Lemme know!
>>>
>>> Neil
>>
>>
>
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| Re: Weird Question [message #91276 is a reply to message #91274] |
Wed, 10 October 2007 22:08 |
Tom Bruhl
Messages: 1368
Registered: June 2007
|
Senior Member |
|
|
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_0030_01C80BA3.36B622A0
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Neil,
If your doctors agree you have the same prognosis with the
least invasive surgery it sounds like that's the way to go.
I should think the prosthetic work being done today is fairly
custom. They'll make it work for you if you tell them your needs.
On a side note, I am a guitarist also and really did a good job=20
of mangling my left hand index finger with a hedge trimmer. Right
where it touches the strings... I played incredibly differently for
6-8 months. I couldn't really use it at all without it feeling like the
flesh would tear off again. It was difficult at first then I realized I =
was playing
some things better because of it. I tried lots of ideas and the other =
fingers
adapted better than I would have guessed. The music suffered at first =
but shortly
thereafter became more exciting because of the challenge.
You'll get through it either way but make sure you choose what is right =
for longevity!!!
Tom
"Neil" <OIUOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:470dacb7$1@linux...
"Aaron Allen" <know-spam@not_here.dude> wrote:
>I've had friends meet Iommi, and they said he's quite approachable if =
you
>can dig up a number/agent/contact info.
>Geez, this might seem obvious, but have you googled keywords in =
combos?
Yes, actually - nothing yet, but still fishing.
Neil
I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html
------=_NextPart_000_0030_01C80BA3.36B622A0
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Diso-8859-1">
<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.2800.1400" name=3DGENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Neil,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>If your doctors agree you have the same =
prognosis=20
with the</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>least invasive surgery it sounds like =
that's the=20
way to go.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I should think the prosthetic work =
being done today=20
is fairly</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>custom. They'll make it work for you if =
you tell=20
them your needs.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>On a side note, I am a guitarist also =
and really=20
did a good job </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>of mangling my left hand index finger =
with a hedge=20
trimmer. Right</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>where it touches the =
strings... I played=20
incredibly differently for</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>6-8 months. I couldn't really use =
it at all=20
without it feeling like the</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>flesh would tear off again. It =
was difficult=20
at first then I realized I was playing</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>some things better because of it. =
I tried=20
lots of ideas and the other fingers</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>adapted better than I would have =
guessed. The=20
music suffered at first but shortly</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>thereafter became more exciting because =
of the=20
challenge.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>You'll get through it either way but =
make sure you=20
choose what is right for longevity!!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Tom</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE=20
style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV>"Neil" <<A =
href=3D"mailto:OIUOIU@OIU.com">OIUOIU@OIU.com</A>> wrote=20
in message <A=20
=
href=3D"news:470dacb7$1@linux">news:470dacb7$1@linux</A>...</DIV><BR>"Aar=
on=20
Allen" <<A=20
=
href=3D"mailto:know-spam@not_here.dude">know-spam@not_here.dude</A>>=20
wrote:<BR>>I've had friends meet Iommi, and they said he's quite=20
approachable if you<BR><BR>>can dig up a number/agent/contact=20
info.<BR>>Geez, this might seem obvious, but have you googled =
keywords in=20
combos?<BR><BR>Yes, actually - nothing yet, but still=20
fishing.<BR><BR>Neil</BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2><BR><BR>I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, =
and=20
you?<BR><A=20
href=3D"http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html">http://www.polesoft.com/refer=
..html</A> </FONT></DIV></BODY ></HTML>
------=_NextPart_000_0030_01C80BA3.36B622A0--
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| Re: Weird Question [message #91280 is a reply to message #91265] |
Thu, 11 October 2007 01:35 |
Sarah
Messages: 608
Registered: February 2007
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Hi Neil,
No personal similar experiences to relate, but just in thinking about
it, it seems that for maximum control and sensation post-surgery, you would
want to preserve the bone.
Actually, I broke my right index finger many years ago with gigs to
play, and I got pretty good pretty fast at holding the pick with my middle,
ring, and thumb ( I'm a 3 fingered pick holder, when I use them). Just a
thought.
Sorry to hear about this, but glad that it's small and unlikely to
metastasize. I'd be pissed, too. I hate when life throws stuff like this
at us. But you sound positive and I think you'll do great.
Hugs,
Sarah
"Neil" <OIOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:470da20c$1@linux...
>
> I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
> had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
> my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
> things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
> healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
> he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
> results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
> confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
> to lose all or part of that finger.
>
> Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
> anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
> of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
> what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
> to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
> probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
> gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
> to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
> not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
> MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
> anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
> what's the point?
>
> Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
> surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
> three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
> over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
> finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
> Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
> (whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
> amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
> wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
> involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
> section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
> further.
> SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
> with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
> play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
> to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
> larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
> prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
> says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
> where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
> spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
> about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
> out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
> is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
> prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
> more educated decision.
>
> Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
> appreciate it. Lemme know!
>
> Neil
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| Re: Weird Question [message #91282 is a reply to message #91265] |
Thu, 11 October 2007 02:56 |
rick
Messages: 1976
Registered: February 2006
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Neil,
i can't recommend anything other my hope that everything turns out
alright for you.
On 11 Oct 2007 14:09:48 +1000, "Neil" <OIOIU@OIU.com> wrote:
>
>I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
>had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
>my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
>things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
>healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
>he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
>results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
>confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
>to lose all or part of that finger.
>
>Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
>anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
>of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
>what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
>to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
>probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
>gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
>to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
>not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
>MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
>anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
>what's the point?
>
>Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
>surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
>three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
>over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
>finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
>Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
>(whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
>amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
>wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
>involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
>section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
>further.
>SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
>with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
>play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
>to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
>larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
>prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
>says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
>where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
>spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
>about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
>out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
>is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
>prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
>more educated decision.
>
>Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
>appreciate it. Lemme know!
>
>Neil
|
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|
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|
|
| Re: Weird Question [message #91294 is a reply to message #91280] |
Thu, 11 October 2007 07:40 |
Neil
Messages: 1645
Registered: April 2006
|
Senior Member |
|
|
"Sarah" <sarahjane@sarahtonin.com> wrote:
>Hi Neil,
>
> No personal similar experiences to relate, but just in thinking about
>it, it seems that for maximum control and sensation post-surgery, you would
>want to preserve the bone.
>
> Actually, I broke my right index finger many years ago with gigs to
>play, and I got pretty good pretty fast at holding the pick with my middle,
>ring, and thumb ( I'm a 3 fingered pick holder, when I use them). Just
a
>thought.
>
> Sorry to hear about this, but glad that it's small and unlikely to
>metastasize. I'd be pissed, too. I hate when life throws stuff like this
>at us. But you sound positive and I think you'll do great.
Hey Sarah - I tried that last night (holding the pick with
my middle finger) and it works to some extent, but it changes
the pivot point of your wrist, so some things work fine, while
others don't work too well at all (picking on the high strings
is difficult, for example... I can't keep my hand anchored in
the same place on the bridge as I can with using thumb & index
finger, so that's something that would have to be adapted
to/re-learned.
Anyway, yeah I'm positive overall about it - I mean it's a
major annoyance, but like I said it's limited to one area, it's
not going to spread, it can't affect major systems, etc. No big
deal in the grande scheme.
Neil
|
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| Re: Weird Question [message #91302 is a reply to message #91265] |
Thu, 11 October 2007 08:23 |
Bill L
Messages: 766
Registered: August 2006
|
Senior Member |
|
|
How about Django? He was a violinist and lost 5/8 of his left hand
fingers and switched to guitar. Good move for him!
I would go for the least removal option. If you practice a couple hours
a day you will be playing at your previous level in just a few weeks.
I pick with the reverse grip, similar to Benson, Dimeola. I am guessing
you are a conventional picker, resting the pick on the flat side of your
index? You could just switch to the "bird" giving finger if you had to.
I once learned to pick the conventional way in about a month, but then
realized it was not as good a method.
Yes, it's a big-assed bummer, but you will be fine and if you practice
hard you might even become a modern day Django! Just think of the press
release you can write for your next album, "Guitarist overcomes CANCER
to make greatest album of his career!"
Neil wrote:
> I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
> had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
> my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
> things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
> healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
> he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
> results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
> confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
> to lose all or part of that finger.
>
> Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
> anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
> of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
> what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
> to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
> probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
> gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
> to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
> not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
> MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
> anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
> what's the point?
>
> Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
> surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
> three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
> over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
> finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
> Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
> (whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
> amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
> wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
> involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
> section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
> further.
> SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
> with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
> play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
> to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
> larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
> prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
> says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
> where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
> spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
> about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
> out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
> is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
> prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
> more educated decision.
>
> Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
> appreciate it. Lemme know!
>
> Neil
|
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| Re: Weird Question [message #91304 is a reply to message #91265] |
Thu, 11 October 2007 09:12 |
D-unit
Messages: 69
Registered: February 2006
|
Member |
|
|
"Neil" <OIOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:470da20c$1@linux...
>
> I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
> had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
> my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
> things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
> healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
> he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
> results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
> confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
> to lose all or part of that finger.
>
> Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
> anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
> of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
> what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
> to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
> probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
> gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
> to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
> not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
> MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
> anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
> what's the point?
>
> Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
> surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
> three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
> over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
> finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
> Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
> (whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
> amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
> wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
> involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
> section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
> further.
> SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
> with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
> play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
> to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
> larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
> prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
> says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
> where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
> spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
> about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
> out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
> is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
> prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
> more educated decision.
>
> Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
> appreciate it. Lemme know!
>
> Neil
I tuned into a late night bluegrass show not too long ago and spotted
a guy playing banjo with only 1 finger (from the top side). I've heard
many banjo players and this guy could hang with any of them.
I play guit and banjo, but have started using fingerpicks with the guitar.
It was a little weird at first but I can do things with the finger picks
and I cannot with a standard plectrum. I mean high speed stuff.
Music comes from your heart. I'd learn to play with my toes if I had to.
Cancer sucks. I hope everything goes well.
db
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| Re: Weird Question [message #91305 is a reply to message #91265] |
Thu, 11 October 2007 10:51 |
DJ
Messages: 1124
Registered: July 2005
|
Senior Member |
|
|
"Neil" <OIOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:470da20c$1@linux...
>
> I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
> had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
> my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
> things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
> healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
> he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
> results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
> confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
> to lose all or part of that finger.
>
> Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
> anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
> of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
> what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
> to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
> probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
> gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
> to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
> not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
> MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
> anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
> what's the point?
>
> Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
> surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
> three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
> over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
> finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
> Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
> (whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
> amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
> wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
> involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
> section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
> further.
> SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
> with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
> play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
> to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
> larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
> prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
> says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
> where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
> spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
> about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
> out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
> is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
> prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
> more educated decision.
>
> Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
> appreciate it. Lemme know!
>
> Neil
Hey bro. first of all, I'm really glad this isn't some sort of life
threatening situation. I understaqnd your frustration though. I can't help
much on the prosthesis info but years ago I broke my right hand and wrist.
It pretty much screwed the pooch as far as my playin went because I really
couldn't hold a pick worth a flip anymore. I looked into a lot of solutions
and found some pretty amazing picks. The Fred Kelly Bumblebees worked pretty
well for me back when I was gigging in Austin a while back.
http://www.fredkellypicks.com/bumblebee.html
Good luck amigo. Be sure to mount the portion of the digit that is removed
on a board and hang it in the living room like a trophy bass so you can
discuss it with the grandkids.
;o)
|
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| Re: Weird Question [message #91306 is a reply to message #91282] |
Thu, 11 October 2007 10:01 |
Jamie K
Messages: 1115
Registered: July 2006
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Sorry to hear about your finger, Neil. I hope all goes as well as it can
go, and it somehow helps rather than hinders your music.
Cheers,
-Jamie
www.JamieKrutz.com
rick wrote:
> Neil,
>
> i can't recommend anything other my hope that everything turns out
> alright for you.
>
> On 11 Oct 2007 14:09:48 +1000, "Neil" <OIOIU@OIU.com> wrote:
>
>> I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
>> had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
>> my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
>> things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
>> healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
>> he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
>> results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
>> confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
>> to lose all or part of that finger.
>>
>> Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
>> anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
>> of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
>> what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
>> to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
>> probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
>> gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
>> to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
>> not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
>> MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
>> anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
>> what's the point?
>>
>> Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
>> surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
>> three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
>> over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
>> finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
>> Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
>> (whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
>> amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
>> wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
>> involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
>> section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
>> further.
>> SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
>> with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
>> play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
>> to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
>> larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
>> prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
>> says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
>> where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
>> spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
>> about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
>> out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
>> is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
>> prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
>> more educated decision.
>>
>> Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
>> appreciate it. Lemme know!
>>
>> Neil
>
|
|
|
|
| Re: Weird Question [message #91307 is a reply to message #91303] |
Thu, 11 October 2007 10:12 |
Bill L
Messages: 766
Registered: August 2006
|
Senior Member |
|
|
As Nigel would say, "Yeah, it's supposed to be "sexy". That's the point,
init?"
Hope you're a Tap fan.
Neil wrote:
> Bill L <bill@billlorentzen.com> wrote:
>> How about Django? He was a violinist and lost 5/8 of his left hand
>> fingers and switched to guitar. Good move for him!
>>
>> I would go for the least removal option. If you practice a couple hours
>
>> a day you will be playing at your previous level in just a few weeks.
>>
>> I pick with the reverse grip, similar to Benson, Dimeola. I am guessing
>
>> you are a conventional picker, resting the pick on the flat side of your
>
>> index? You could just switch to the "bird" giving finger if you had to.
>>
>> I once learned to pick the conventional way in about a month, but then
>> realized it was not as good a method.
>>
>> Yes, it's a big-assed bummer, but you will be fine and if you practice
>> hard you might even become a modern day Django! Just think of the press
>
>> release you can write for your next album, "Guitarist overcomes CANCER
>> to make greatest album of his career!"
>
> That would be tacky & exploitive and an insult to all the
> people that have a serious type of cancer.
>
> Neil
|
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| Re: Weird Question [message #91311 is a reply to message #91265] |
Thu, 11 October 2007 10:39 |
TCB
Messages: 1261
Registered: July 2007
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Hey Neil,
Ouch, doesn't sound like a lot of fun. Three things I can say that might
be useful.
1. You can always switch the way you hold the pick to the 'thumb presses
pick into first knuckle on index finger which is curled underneath' technique.
Think Vernon Reid. I tried to play like that on purpose at one point but
eventually went back to my normal picking. You wind up using a lot more motion
at the elbow than the wrist of fingers but once you're used to it in some
ways I think it's more exact than the way most people (including me) hold
a pick.
2. A good friend of mine and SPECTACULAR guitar player was working on his
garage when he sawed off big chunks of THREE fingers on his left hand. Index/middle
at about the first knuckle and ring just above that knuckle. Of course he
assumed he couldn't ever play for real again but it took him a couple of
months at most after he had healed and he was playing essentially indistinguishably
from before the accident. I was amazed, but not nearly as relieved as he
was.
3. Django Reinhardt.
Good luck, and glad it's nothing worse than it is,
TCB
"Neil" <OIOIU@OIU.com> wrote:
>
>I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
>had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
>my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
>things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
>healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
>he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
>results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
>confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
>to lose all or part of that finger.
>
>Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
>anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
>of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
>what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
>to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
>probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
>gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
>to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
>not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
>MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
>anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
>what's the point?
>
>Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
>surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
>three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
>over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
>finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
>Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
>(whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
>amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
>wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
>involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
>section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
>further.
>SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
>with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
>play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
>to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
>larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
>prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
>says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
>where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
>spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
>about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
>out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
>is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
>prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
>more educated decision.
>
>Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
>appreciate it. Lemme know!
>
>Neil
|
|
|
|
| Re: Weird Question [message #91314 is a reply to message #91307] |
Thu, 11 October 2007 11:20 |
D-unit
Messages: 69
Registered: February 2006
|
Member |
|
|
'eear lyes David St. 'ubins.......
and whye not.
db
"Bill L" <bill@billlorentzen.com> wrote in message news:470e5aed$1@linux...
> As Nigel would say, "Yeah, it's supposed to be "sexy". That's the point,
> init?"
>
> Hope you're a Tap fan.
>
> Neil wrote:
> > Bill L <bill@billlorentzen.com> wrote:
> >> How about Django? He was a violinist and lost 5/8 of his left hand
> >> fingers and switched to guitar. Good move for him!
> >>
> >> I would go for the least removal option. If you practice a couple hours
> >
> >> a day you will be playing at your previous level in just a few weeks.
> >>
> >> I pick with the reverse grip, similar to Benson, Dimeola. I am guessing
> >
> >> you are a conventional picker, resting the pick on the flat side of your
> >
> >> index? You could just switch to the "bird" giving finger if you had to.
> >>
> >> I once learned to pick the conventional way in about a month, but then
> >> realized it was not as good a method.
> >>
> >> Yes, it's a big-assed bummer, but you will be fine and if you practice
> >> hard you might even become a modern day Django! Just think of the press
> >
> >> release you can write for your next album, "Guitarist overcomes CANCER
> >> to make greatest album of his career!"
> >
> > That would be tacky & exploitive and an insult to all the
> > people that have a serious type of cancer.
> >
> > Neil
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Weird Question [message #91337 is a reply to message #91280] |
Fri, 12 October 2007 01:59 |
steve the artguy
Messages: 308
Registered: June 2005
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Neil-
I'd think Sarah's idea would be good.
Hope all comes out ok.
-steve
Personally, I can't play with a pick to save my life. Drop in within minutes.
"Sarah" <sarahjane@sarahtonin.com> wrote:
>Hi Neil,
>
> No personal similar experiences to relate, but just in thinking about
>it, it seems that for maximum control and sensation post-surgery, you would
>want to preserve the bone.
>
> Actually, I broke my right index finger many years ago with gigs to
>play, and I got pretty good pretty fast at holding the pick with my middle,
>ring, and thumb ( I'm a 3 fingered pick holder, when I use them). Just
a
>thought.
>
> Sorry to hear about this, but glad that it's small and unlikely to
>metastasize. I'd be pissed, too. I hate when life throws stuff like this
>at us. But you sound positive and I think you'll do great.
>
>Hugs,
>
>Sarah
>
>"Neil" <OIOIU@OIU.com> wrote in message news:470da20c$1@linux...
>>
>> I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
>> had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
>> my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
>> things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
>> healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
>> he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
>> results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
>> confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
>> to lose all or part of that finger.
>>
>> Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
>> anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
>> of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
>> what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
>> to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
>> probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
>> gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
>> to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
>> not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
>> MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
>> anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
>> what's the point?
>>
>> Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
>> surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
>> three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
>> over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
>> finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
>> Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
>> (whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
>> amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
>> wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
>> involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
>> section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
>> further.
>> SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
>> with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
>> play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
>> to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
>> larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
>> prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
>> says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
>> where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
>> spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
>> about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
>> out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
>> is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
>> prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
>> more educated decision.
>>
>> Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
>> appreciate it. Lemme know!
>>
>> Neil
>
>
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| Re: Weird Question [message #91348 is a reply to message #91265] |
Fri, 12 October 2007 09:32 |
Ted Gerber
Messages: 705
Registered: January 2009
|
Senior Member |
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|
Hope things go well, Neil. I have no advice, but I'll be thinking of you.
Ted
"Neil" <OIOIU@OIU.com> wrote:
>
>I guess a little background is in order... for awhile now I've
>had this (what I and three Dr.'s thought was) an infection on
>my right index finger underneath the nail... tried a number of
>things attacking both viral and bacterial possibilities - never
>healed. Got referred to a different dermatologist last week &
>he examined it & immediately wanted to take a biopsy - lab
>results came back today: Squamus-Cell skin cancer. It's
>confirmed - he got five different opinions on it. So now I have
>to lose all or part of that finger.
>
>Good news is, of course, this is nothing life-threatening or
>anything like that - I mean, it's just a finger, and this type
>of cancer is very unlikely to spread. Bad news is - well, it's
>what you hold the guitar pick with, so SOMETHING's gonna have
>to change there... i'm sure i'll still be able to play, but
>probably not like I can now. Right-hand stuff on the keyboard's
>gonna be even tougher, since that's not my main instrument
>to begin with, but it's what I mostly write on. Anyway, it's
>not like I'm losing a whole hand, I'm just a bit pissed (OK,
>MASSIVELY pissed) that I'm not going to be able to play
>anything at the level I currently am able to - in which case,
>what's the point?
>
>Anyway, here's the Weird Question part: I'm going in for the
>surgical consult on Tuesday, and the Doc is going to give me
>three different options, essentially (he gave me a run-down
>over the phone) and what I need to decide is "How much of my
>finger do I want to lose?" The least-invasive is a thing called
>Mohs' Surgery, for which he has a specialist at his practice
>(whom I'll get to talk to on Tuesday). It takes off the least
>amount of tissue, and in the case of my particular situation,
>wouldn't remove any bone, either. Two other options would
>involve complete surgical romoval of a portion of the entire
>section of the finger, down past the first joint, or even
>further.
>SO... the wierd question is: Do any of you know any musicians
>with a prosthetic finger? Doesn't matter what instrument they
>play at this stage, I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have
>to make a choice of losing a small part of it or losing a
>larger part of it, which is better when it comes to a
>prosthesis, because I want to look into that, as well. The Doc
>says any of these methods would work in my case, because of
>where it's located & that it's still small in size & hasn't
>spread much, so I don't really have to be concerned
>about "which one will be most effective?" IOW, I need to find
>out how much is not enough, how much is too much, and how much
>is "just right" for being able to effectively employ a
>prosthesis from a musician's standpoint. Might help me make a
>more educated decision.
>
>Anyway, if anybody knows of anyone, that'd be great; I'd sure
>appreciate it. Lemme know!
>
>Neil
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