Interesting article in the Globe this morning on Phineas Gage, who survived getting an iron bar through his head: [link]

::loves Gud::

Poor Leif! But it sounds like he came through like a champ.

What Amy said.

I also now have an invalid in the house for the next five days. Last week Lewis wound up in the ER while I was in D.C.-- he did something to his wrist/thumb and was diagnosed with tenosynovitis. He was given a lovely thumb splint and a prescription for heavy duty ibuprofen and told to rest it. Did he? Noooooo. He went back to work the next day, plus worked a fourteen hour shift on Saturday. Also worked Monday and Tuesday. Needless to say, he's not feeling better and has finally given in and taken the sick time he should have taken. Although, to be fair to him, I get that he didn't realize just how many little ways he uses his hands at work, from opening and closing cases to occasional computer use to pulling shrink wrap and tape off packages (which, oddly, is what hurts him the most).

So he's home and pretty much bored out of his skull, since he can't play on the computer or even browse much. Even reading a book or magazine is problematic, since just turning the pages is an exercise in pain and frustration. Almost makes one wish for an e-reader, except I refuse to give in to the evil overlords that way. So I may just take him to a movie this afternoon.

Or kill him. Whichever comes first.

Poor Lewis. And poor Barb! A bored and restless patient is not a fun patient.

It may be worth it to learn to mouse with his off hand -- just playing slow moving games at first, but he may see a rapid improvement if he keeps at it. Tho', he'll want to keep his bad hand/arm in a sling to keep from involuntarily moving it....

A bored and restless patient is not a fun patient.

Eh. I'm very caring and solicitous up to a point. Then, I become heartless. He knows if he whines too much (which he really doesn't, to his credit) I will merely look at him with a complete lack of sympathy and say something to the effect of, "Wah. Whine however much you like, just don't do it around me for really, I don't care."

Florence Nightingale I ain't.

I hope Lewis recovers soon.

Hurrrgh. I forgot that there were going to be reporters in the office all day. Just what I wanted this week.

It may be worth it to learn to mouse with his off hand

I did this when I had my carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand. I still mouse left at work (I like having the mouse on one hand and the number pad at the other hand).

You could get him one of those paddles with the ball attached. That is a one handed game.

You could get him one of those paddles with the ball attached. That is a one handed game.

Yeah, there are lots of one-handed games with balls attached. He should be fine!

::note to self: get neck bolts for Leif's next birthday::