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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Pissant on January 19, 2010, 06:56:00 PM
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(http://i50.tinypic.com/2mryxzq.jpg)
A few months ago I lost my right index finger and thumb....(I'm a lefty) Thankfully I had the thumb replanted. I'm not bitter but actually grateful that things aren't any worse(I could be sporting a hook). I was and will be again a very competitive instinctive archer. I was just wondering if anyone else has any digits missing or has any input on the subject. Although my thumb is there it is very stiff and I have a substantial amount of nerve damage. I have minimal feeling but I can't complain with my weekly hand massage from my gorgeous physical therapist. I haven't picked up my bow since the accident but was just released to use my hand at it's full capacity. Tomorrow I have the day off and I'm going to pick up the bow and begin to rebuild mentally and physically. It's just a finger, small potatoes in my book. I would love to hear any input on the subject though, I have no choice but to embrace it....just part of the process of reinventing yourself right? [banghead]
Jay aka Pissant(stumpy, franky 4 fingers, captain nub, insert clever nickname here_______)
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Congrats on how you are handling the curve ball thrown at you. With your attitude you will be shooting well again soon.
You might try a wrist or finger sling so you won't feel the need to grab the bow with your other fingers.
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Great attitude Jay. I have cut myself badly on a couple of occasions....haven't completely lost a finger yet...knock on wood. You are tough both mentally and physically. I wish you all the best and am sure you will be drilling your targets shortly. Shoot straight!
Bret
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If it helps my wife says I lost my mind most days.
:thumbsup:
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too bad but looks like your positive attitude will work for you though....may have to shoot left handed...just a thought
jer Bear
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I second the sling...But Jay, you need to experiment
and go with what works for you . I firmly
believe that if you were shooting well instinctivly before , that your mind and body
will compensate . But you need to do the required work....It's all up to you, but you already know that , huh ? Keep working at it
and I wish you all the best !
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I lost two finger tips as a kid and the doc sewed them back on, they are on my string hand, index and middle fingers. They both go numb if I shoot to much. I don't let it bother me. Keep up the positive outlook and make sure to ask that nice ( gorgeous ) Physical Therapist out to dinner for being so helpful in your recover.
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Thanks for all the encouragement guys!
Jerry,
I actually do shoot left handed. I have considered shooting right but I do feel optimistic that I can train my right hand to hold the bow again efficiently. I do know one thing, I'm not gonna bend like everyone tells me and shoot the training wheels or crossbow.
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Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another. ~Walter Elliott, The Spiritual Life
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You are in good company....Fred Bear lost a finger too.
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I applaud you on your positive outlook. Keep up with the physical therapy - those people are miracle workers. Haven't lost any digits, but did lose an eye in a shooting accident about 46 years ago. Stuff happens, and you just go on with life . . . Good luck!
Craig
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I'm right handed and lost half my left thumb a few years back. I don't have any trouble holding on to the bow or with my grip on the bow.Doesn't take as long to cut my finger nails now! Ben
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Oh Jay, please keep your status posted.
Other tips may come up ... Private , public...
just keep us posted...That's what it's all about .
Helping you....YOU helping others ....huh ?
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You've never laid down before,I don't expect you ever will.It's good to see your thoughts are still with the arrow Jay!Hope to see you soon,wish you the best. PUP
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Jay - Great attitude! I've got a HS classmate who lost half of his bow hand, only thumb and index finger left. It didn't slow him down a bit. Keep the spirits up and get back behind the bow. Best of luck! Tommy
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Ks, that's encouraging for sure...if I can get past the discomfort from the nerve damage I don't see a problem holding the bow at all....did you finally get used to the odd tingling sensation and slight pain or did it just go away?
Foxfire, I most def will keep updates...if I can learn or teach anyone anything about the subject I will do so.
Pup, how the H have you been sally-a$$?...Are you shooting tomorrow night?... I was thinking about coming down and trying to fling some arrows. If not I can always settle with some good old fashion ball bustin...
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Jay, hang in there buddy. you will make it work with your attitude no problem. I have a "factory" defect on my left hand and have only two fingers on my left hand which is my bow hand. A wrist sling is what I use now. When I started shooting I shot left handed and still do ever once in while.
If there is anything I can help you with fell free to send a PM or email. In my case its been this way from the beginning so it was easier for me.
Just remember... "Fingers are Overrated Anyway"
:knothead: :knothead: :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
David
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Look at photos of Fred Bear showing the ring finger of his right (bow holding) hand. The last joint is missing.
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I can't give any advise but I can tell from your attitude you'll be shooting as good or better than before in no time. Best of luck to you and keep us posted on your progress.
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Jay
Thats an amazing and great attitude to have! I can relate to your pain just not to your extent. At work at the beginning of the month i got my thumb in the miter saw. Been home for the last three weeks. Like you i feel life goes on and im thankful that it was no where near as bad as it could have been. In time i will be fine and back to shooting the bow. From one stumpy to another hang in there brother :thumbsup: :clapper:
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You've already inspired us all, and will continue to do so with your attitude and passion. Shoot straight, amigo!
:thumbsup:
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I would recommend a kid's bow for a bit, until you get things figured out with the "new configuration".
I say this because I had a tendon reconnected YEARS ago and spent a little time doing PT and figuring out how to make the @#$# stupid finger work right again. I remember the (gorgeous) physical therapist and her devious little clothes pins of torture. The clothes pins were color coded (I think pink were the easiest ones and would open if you sneezed) and it took me ages to get the strength and dexterity to open them up without dropping half of them.
Keep that good attitude, not everyone I saw at PT was smart enough to realize that things could have been much worse.
My fingers are doing quite well these days. Sounds like yours will come around as well.
Glad you did all your PT work!!
Kirk Billings
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I'll be there and if you drop buy,the first PBR is on me!You know your missed at the club!See you soon Jay.Bring Pop with ya!I could use a good bigfoot story. PUP
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Should have looked at the second page before I responded...
Yeah, the tingling goes away after a while. Mine did, anyway.
The scar tissue just has to learn who's the boss, that's all.
Kirk
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My brother-in-law ran both hands in a tablesaw cut off 7 fingers and ended with a short ring finger so it could be used as index. Think how that was with two hands in club wraps and NO fingers exposed.
He has some pain in the cold but has regained a lot of use. Keep up the therapy and DO all the movements the therapist says.
You have a great outlook and will get past this misshap.
Tim
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Best of Luck!!! Dillon
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:clapper: :clapper:
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Pissant,
Don't sweat it. I'm missing most of my thumb, most of my little finger, part of my wrist & the biggest portion of my triceps on my right arm. Lost it 41 yrs. ago. I shoot my bow righty. I just don't let it interfere with what I want to do.
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Good on ya. I worked construction for many years and still greet some of my old co-workers by holding up all 10…has special meaning, ya know. Was very injured in my left hand once and doc said no shooting the bow for some time…went home and mixed up some special aluminum product, protected the handle of my bow, put on a latex glove, took a lump of the stuff and molded my hand to the bow. The next day I cut off the excess, attached some leather to it, and went right back to shooting. Screwed up my right hand once, hours before leaving to hunt out of state…couldn’t pull the string with my fingers so I bought a release and kept on trucking.
A good attitude goes a long way…it’s inspirational. Take Care, Rick.
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out standing attitude....
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Jay,
Hats off for the glass half full attitude. You've already won the most important battle.
I'm a Physical Therapist and I was wondering if you are seeing an Occupational Therapist? While us PT's are smart and good looking :smileystooges: ....well at least the females are... OT's are really the experts in hands. Specifically an OT that is a certified hand therapist. If she is really hot then forget this and just keep doing what your doing!
The nerve damage issue is a 50-50 proposition. It can take up to 1 year for that to return. It most likely won't be completely normal but the hypersensativity should lessen. The hypersensativity is just a sign that things arn't right and the nerve is still healing.
They have some desentization exercises that can help. Some people say fluidotherapy (a wierd machine that bombards your hand with ground up corn husk that are heated) can help with sensativity. The stiffness just has to be stretched out and is limited by the location of the incision. If it was through the joint then it will be limited for sure.
As far as the shooting goes... I bet having your thumb up against a riser is going to send some vibrations down that bone that will be uncomfortable for a while. You may need some type of padding around the thumb to help dampen that vibration. Be patient and only take a few shots every night until the bone and soft tissue can toughen up and tolerate to the shock of the bow when it is released.
I think Kirk is right about the light weight bow at first. Try to get a 30-40 pounder to work with. Build up your tolerance to the shock that the bow will put against your hand.
I'm almost wondering if a straight handled longbow might be better for a while so you can use more of the palm of your hand insted of needing the web of your thumb like you do with most recurves. You will just have to try and see which one hurts less.
Good luck with the rehab and keep working hard right now because everyday that scar tissue gets tougher to break up.
Good luck,
Chris
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Those who THINK THEY CAN!! CAN !! Those who think THEY CAN"T... CAN"T !! The numbness goes away with perseverance.. AND Exhilaration !!
When you do something the experts tell you ,you can't do.. THAT'S SELF CONFIDENCE!! Something NO ONE CAN TAKE FROM YOU!! GOOD FOR YOU!! :biglaugh:
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TRUST IN THE LORD>> FOR HE IS YOUR STRENGTH!!
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You have my admiration and deservedly so. Thank you for your willingness to share something so very personal.
I hope that wasn't the result of an archery related accident because I thought I knew of all the ways I might hurt myself doing this trad thing but I might be missing something if your's was something that happened with a bow and arrow.
God bless,Mudd
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I lost Index finger and my middle finger is just there for looks on my left hand.I'am still left handed but had to switch over to right handed can't pull bow lefty.you will do all right.p.s. the ghost finger never will go away.best of luck (Rick)
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You will probably need to post a picture of your physical therapist before we can truly answer your question.
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The worst part about it is having to cut and sew your gloves. At least know one will steal em. My Dad is missing half his index finger (crushed), his ring finger (blown off), and part of his thumb (blown off) on his right hand.
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Your positive attitude is a great asset.
If you have not seen Rick Welch's Accuracy Factory DVD, take a peek. One of his students who is missing a good bit of his bow hand/fingers demonstrates some very good shooting, and uses a wrist strap to catch the bow after the shot.
I met a dentist who lost his dominant right hand in an accident, and he was able to keep practicing by learning to do everything left handed.
Amazing what you can do with determination.
Hang in there, best wishes for you.
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Jay,
Great attitude, go slow and don't get discouraged with your progress, it will take a little time, but I am positive you will get to where you want to be.
One of the finest guys and accomplished bowhunters I have met is Bob Radocy, past president of the CBA. Bob has a hook where his left hand was, he has a Recurve with the grip designed so it works with the hook, it's never slowed him down.
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i think you will find that the bow is an incredibly adaptive weapon. You have the right attitude and that will make the difference. I have a friend whose father lost his right arm just below the elbow. when we started bowhuntingg My friend and I spent many hours trying to design some sort of adapter to attach the bow to his prothesis. We never said anthing to him because we didnt want to dissapoint him if we couldnt figure it out. One day while watching us shoot, he said let me try that and simply picked up the bow in his "hook" and started putting arrows in the target. the moral of the story is dont assume someone cant do something just because they have different challenges than you do. good hunting, I know you will succeed
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with an attitude like that you will be breaking knocks in now time.
There is a guy at our club here that is missing the majority of his bow hand. He shoots with a sling and does very well.
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The experts say that you should grip your bow with less fingers and/or with a loose grip, so if anything, and with your attitude you will become an even better shot!!! :bigsmyl:
In all seriousness, as many have noted, I will bet you will find that adapting to it will take very little time, and your body will find a way to make it work.
I lost most of the vision in my left eye(right eye dominant) back when I shot a compound (Damn peep sight tubing!) and I have been able to adapt to it with hardly any noticable adverse affects. I have to wear glasses now, but again the body adapts.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!
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Originally posted by pup:
I'll be there and if you drop buy,the first PBR is on me!You know your missed at the club!See you soon Jay.Bring Pop with ya!I could use a good bigfoot story. PUP
Might come down Pup , Been huntin' hard for 1 good bow ! gonna be hard to replace 13 ! That kid of mine will be back shootin' in no time I'm sure . finger or no finger! I do have some new Sasquatch stories too! Pops
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I would think it would be hearder to type that shoot a bow! Looks like you are on your way!!
life is a highway
Enjoy the journey
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I don't see how going to a wheelie bow would help, anyway, you've still got to hold it. You will do fine--just remember that there is a learning curve in all new endeavors and keep at it!
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You GO with your bad self!!
I've noticed in the Bill Langer videos that his dad has a missing finger and draws with one finger over the nock and one finger under. And that Bill shoots that way also.
:notworthy:
Yes, please keep us updated on your progress.
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Jay,
I just read your post and had something done that I don't share often and that's my right hand was SEVERED all the way through to the other side mid palm area All bones cut completely through in a log splitter accident in 1985...I had my hand reattached so to speak with two pins to each finger,Nerve grapths from my wrist and from my left leg so I could have feeling once again and about 100 or more trips to therapy and about 24 splits...I had the same mind set as you and you will make it through this time...I pull anywhere from 40 to 50 # bows and used to shoot heavier with this same hand...I can keep up with most but at times I have problems with my release but that is because my hand doesn't open fully do to scar damage and my hand's a little shorter then what I was borned with...Hey if you miss at least ya got a good excuse...I pull that one on my buddy's all the time but they quickly remind me that I shot like that before my hand injury.When I had my splints made up at the hospital the lady made me a splint with a hook and a rubber band went to each of my fingers with a piece of leather that my finger tips went through and I would have to try and pull my fingers to my palm and this was good therapy..Work with all the clay and do whatever the therapist recommends to do cause it got me back to hunting in about 3 years...Don't over bow yourself and let your tennons mend...Give me a P.M if you need to talk about anything...I had my back turned as I loaded a log onto the splitter and my brother in law hit the hydrolic lever right as I laid the log down and the log pushed my hand through the wedge...I was very Blessed to have it reattached...God Bless , Keefer's <")))><
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Just looked at this post again Pissant. Yeah, the tingle and numbness goes away for the most part, but where they pulled the skin back over the end of the nub it always has a tight feeling.The working pad has feeling in it although it took a while for nerves to all re connect. I use to only hold the grip with my thumb and index finger, but now I make good contact and lightly grip the bow or I'll drop it when I release.To this day when I go to pick up things with my left hand my mind forgets the thumb is missing and I'll miss picking it up the first time.If I can answer anything else send me a pm. Ben
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Jay aka Pissant is my son . I bust him a bit about the loss of the fingers but its all in jest . He shot at our local club last night w/ a self bow he had made himself . I have no idea how his hand feels today BUT he shot well last night considering its the first time since the accident and the fact he was shooting a selfbow. He'll be back to normal in the future I reckon.
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Here I'm frusterated and I have all of my didgets! Excellant attitude, keep at it and you'll do just fine! Jason
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Jay,congrats for your strong and positive attitude.I am a lefty like you,several years ago I cut my tendons of my left wrist,I had asurgrey and lot of problems for a year;but the body is a perfect machine and it adapts to the worst.after one year I was able to shoot my bow again and i never felt anything was ever happened.Good luck.Felix
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Jay with your upbeat attitude you'll be back in no time!!!
I don’t know how your thumb moves but maybe with all the talented bowyers on this site, one of them could modify a riser with a thumb hole (like a rifle stock) or rest that would help your grip.
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You have a darned sight better attitude about it than I would (and I'm a fellow lefty). You need some support on your road back, PM or email me...
Frankly, given the "colorful" life & career I've had to date (I'm 52) I'm more than a little surprised I haven't lost an important part or two.
I will, however, match anyone here concussion for concussion. I had more than Troy Aikman before I hit my teens.. :knothead: