We came back to St Paul for my appointment with the hand doctor for my two broken fingers. Dr. Schubert didn't think an operation would make any sense, and I was able to convince him that I should be able to play some tennis soon. Possibly tomorrow. So he sent me to the splint maker to make me something that would satisfy my mobility needs. This is the end product of a quite interesting process.
There is this plastic material that is hard at room temperature, but that is very pliable when soaked in hot water for 5 minutes. It also can be cut with a scissors when it's pliable. So they formed it to my hand, cut it to shape a useable splint, attached velcro straps and now I'm ready to roll. The splint gives me latitude to hold a tennis ball and toss it up for a serve. That's all I need the fingers on my left hand for. I think I'm playing tennis tomorrow at Wooddale.
Maybe that guy in "The Graduate," who thought the wave of the future was "plastics," was right. I know that I'm plenty impressed.
6 comments:
Wow, a new form of plastic. It looks and sounds very practical and comfortable (relatively). Are you sure you should return to the tennis court? Did you get new shoes? The doctor's approval?
Pretty amazing stuff. I expected a plaster cast from above your wrist to your finger tips.
Even the word "operation" makes me shudder. It's good that it isn't necessary.
Watch those shoes. I assume you also need your left hand to aid in the tying of your shoelaces.
A photo of the great grandchild? Or is that too public for one so young?
Oooo, velcro.
JB says that he hopes it goes well. (The tennis, specifically.)
I got new shoes in the mail yesterday. The doc is ok with my tennis plans. I guess he thinks I'm old enough to know when to stop. He was a little surprised, however, that a 72 year-old wanted to get back on the tennis court right away.
The great-grandchild has been pictured numerous times on Facebook. Maybe NCW can repost one or two on her FB account.
I'm giving tennis a "go" tonight. It should be interesting.
I just re-posted a few pictures of Jordan on my facebook page. Hopefully, you'll be able to see them. He's such a sweetie!
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