To: Sagebrush Burns, Commanding Dept. of the Platte, et al
Request relief from duties requiring the use of my right (write) hand probably for six weeks. Broke my @#$%^&!!! thumb yesterday! Not sure how. Maybe getting up out of a car or chair, or something. Just swole up and started hurting. Doc took X-rays, and put a splint on,and I see a hand doc tomorrow. Sure is cramping my style. (Pun intended!) Hunt an' peck on the confuser is a nuisance! Hope it won't mess up cocking a single action pistol permantly. Fortunately I can shoot Duelist left-handed,if it comes to that!
Sir:
I humbly beg the Commander's pardon, but got a second, BETTER opinion from a hand specialist this morning! NO BREAK, thankfully! What I have is apparently a flareup of arthritis in the joint at the base of the thumb, with some involvement of the various connective soft tissues. While the hand doc didn't say so ("ethics" of the medical profession, apparently), I sort of acted like the critical care doc didn't know which end was up, or was at least covering his "six". NFI what caused it to flare up suddenly like it did, but it CAN happen...
Anyhow, the hand doc gave me a brace I can wear as necessary, and said to take it a bit easy til it feels better, but no time specified. Probably never be completely "like new". I told him as long as I can cock a single action revolver, and make holsters, I can stand a bit of discomfort...which was NOT what I was having last Wednesday! Just getting old(er)! So, I should be more or less fully operational in a few days!