Things went well this AM, Wednesday, 8/19/09.  Broken bones on my left hand from my crash on 7/1/9 are back together.  They wouldn't let me keep the pins - rats.  But, they were 2 to 2.5 inches long.  They are out and the cast is gone.  My left hand is wrapped right now and they've said I can remove the bandages later today and be done with them if no bleeding.  Looking forward to that.  Still swollen big.  Next step occupational therapy. Getting the pins pulled didn't hurt too much - more blood, though, than I expected.  Getting 4 or 5 shots of lidocaine into my hand and into the area around the pins before they were pulled... well let's just say that after shots 1 and 2, the last ones about sent me over the top as they pressed the needle deeper into my hand. I didn't faint, I didn't cry (but my eyes welled up with water), but I shore did breath hard and moan and squirm.  Took me 20 minutes to get rid of the shakes (I go into "shock" with pain and shake alot), and then another 20 minutes before I felt safe to walk and drive home.   On the comeback trail!  Just got my new biking gloves in the mail yesterday, very nice, SixSixOne brand BMX gloves.  Taking my bike for a post-crash inspection on Friday to Schellers. Still can't get on for a few weeks yet.

Today, 8/20/9, boy is my left hand sore.  Fells like someone has been pounding on it with a rubber mallet.  Reckon this is what I am to expect from the occupational therapy which starts Monday.  Ibuprofen will be close to my side throughout the next weeks.