Occupational hazard

You never really realize how much you use a given body part until said body part goes out of commission.

Perfect example: typing while keeping your splinted left index finger up in the air. Challenging.  Let's see what happens if I try to type with my damagned fginhger....nope noty workingf vbery well.

The aforementioned appendage is in its present state because it was crushed by one very massive and weighty sledge hammer which missed its intended target.  Thank you, clumsiness. 

One trip to the ER and 3 hand X-rays later, and I am pleased and relieved to report that my finger is not broken (although I would have bet any money that it was). I can't bend it or feel it. The doctor told me to keep it in a splint and ice it often. I am allowed to keep working in the studio (yay!). We can't be sure of the extent of damage to the tendons until it heals, and if it doesn't get better in 4-5 days, I'm supposed to call a hand surgeon whose number she gave me.  Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

The happy news is that this is not the hand I draw with. The sad news is that this injury is bound to slow me down during my busiest time of the year.

So the lesson of the day?  When you're working with a 5 pound hammer... don't rush. And maybe it's finally time to buy one of these.