Underappreciated

Being a right-handed person, I don’t think I have ever fully appreciated my left thumb. Of course, I am grateful for my fingers, but I don’t think I ever knew how much my thumb does. Until yesterday. Yesterday I realized that my left thumb performs many duties – It plays a very important roll in things such as typing, shoe tying, chapstick opening, door unlocking, stuff carrying, flossing (big one), buttoning, etc. The list could go on and on. When I suddenly was not able to use my left thumb I realized all of these things.

I was making copies yesterday when a paper got jammed. Not an unusual occurrence. I opened the machine and began to pull papers out. One paper was seriously stuck. I pulled. I moved the levers up and down. Nothing. I grabbed it again and pulled as hard as I possibly could. Since the paper itself wouldn’t budge it decided to rip, sending my hand (most specifically my thumb) flying into the copier.

It has been a long time since I have felt pain like that. I looked down at my hand expecting it to be covered in blood. It wasn’t . It looked just fine. I couldn’t figure out how I could be in such excruciating pain while my hand looked completely normal. About thirty seconds later blood began seeping beneath my cuticle.

Since I was in the faculty lounge I tried to keep my composure as I washed my hand off. I watched as my finger began to swell, and the nail turn a bit purple. Ugggg. I wrapped a Band-Aid around it and finished out my day.

I figure one of three things will happen to my nail:

1. The nail could fall out completely. I had a roommate who had this happen. It was a bit gross. But it happened within a day or two of the accident, and it would wiggle when pushed. My nail is not currently wiggling. I think that it is a good sign.
2. The nail could be fine, grow out normally. Definitely the most preferable of the choices. But considering the current state of the nail, unlikely.
3. The nail could have a dark black spot when it grows out. The top of my nail bed already has a shadow about it, so I think this is the most probable of the options. While less preferable than choice two, it is far better than choice one.

Throughout the remainder of the day yesterday (along with this morning) I realized jus how grateful I am for my left thumb! It sure is helpful, and I have become quite dependent on it!