Schedule and Venue History

While ice skating with my son on January 16, 2005 I fell and suffered this wrist injury.

Initially it was misdiagnosed as a sprain.

Two weeks later I was reevaluated and diagnosed with a broken scaphoid.  I was placed in a full arm cast, and told initially that I would spend 6 weeks in it, then another 6 weeks in a short arm cast.

No gigs for 3 months??????  No Way!!!!    What was I going to do???   - I became completely depressed!  

To obtain a 2nd opinion, I was referred to a hand surgeon at Bethesda Naval Hospital who agreed that the best course of action was to perform surgery.  A screw would be inserted into the broken bone to ensure solid bone union, and accelerate the recovery process so I could get back to work sooner.   Sounded encouraging at the time :)   I was refitted with a short cast to wear while waiting for my surgery date to be scheduled.

Once the short cast replaced my full-arm hell, I discovered that I could play electric bass with three fingers if I was seated. It was hard to get used to the limited access, but at least I could play a little.  That was a huge boost for me emotionally, as was the willingness of the colleagues of mine who were willing to hire me to play electric bass when they really wanted upright.   Patrick DeSantos dubbed me "Django"

I spent 6 weeks in a short arm cast while awaiting surgery appointment - Unfortunately due to the overload of combat trauma cases being sent to that facility, my paperwork was mis-filed in the Operating Room scheduling department.

Five and a half weeks and a few phone calls later, the missing paperwork was unearthed.  A surgery date of April 11, 2005 was scheduled.......which seemed much too long after the injury occurred.

I requested (and was granted) a follow-up x-ray on March 30, 2005 which showed evidence that the bone was healing.  The doc at USNA Ortho clinic hooked me up with a CT Scan on April 4th, and the Ortho techs placed me in a removable custom-fitted splint.  

A reevaluation consult with the surgeon at Bethesda on Thursday April 7, 2005 confirmed the radiologist's findings that the bone had healed.

Yippee!  No more cast!  No Surgery!  Just occupational therapy to help on the road to recovery.  I will be working through the soreness & stiffness for the next several weeks (at least) to regain strength, flexibility & range of motion in my left wrist & hand.....and yes, I need to build calluses again - ouch!

Thank you for your prayers & support during this crippling experience!  I look forward to seeing you at a performance in the very near future!!