[David Jones]

My next follow up on this elbow is January 25th. Last Friday the therapist said she doubted I'd lose the brace even then. Last Friday they dialed in some motion (50 degrees?) into the brace and I can also lock the thing anywhere in that 50 degrees. I can't rotate my palm upward or do anything that might activate the bicep. Accidentally trying to turn the palm up is met with immediate knee buckling pain.

This morning, as I stood looking at the GTO's drive shaft laying on my work bench I decided I needed to get the car back on the road. Since nobody was there to bitch at me I got busy. I jacked the car up and put jack stands under the rear end. I discovered that getting down, under the car and back up, with one arm was tough as hell. Then I worked the amazingly heavy drive shaft under the car and up over the exhaust crossover. And into the TKO's rear seal. After figuring out how to get a little leverage on it I managed to lift it and wiggle it into place and into the pinion yoke. I had to lay there a little while afterwards. Then I one handed the hardware into place and figured out how to get the nuts tight without the shaft rotating. Happy, I dropped the car back down and climbed in. At that point I discovered that during my boo boo with the elbow, I had bent the damn steering wheel. I discovered that the elbow brace made good fulcrum and I bent the wheel back straight. (T/A wheel....kinda flimsy).

Then my one armed ass went for a ride.

[66bonne]

That thing-a-magig looks like it could be used as a motor hoist !! Getting old sucks but it sure beats the hell out of the alternative.

Jim

[cuz68]

Originally Posted by GT182

After taking a quick glance I thought you had become the 6 Million Dollar Man's new little buddy.

I hope all goes well David, and you have a somewhat painless recovery. That had to hurt like hell. If you're right-handed, it's a good thing it wasn't the arm you need to most.

I was thinking the same thing, Hope you will get well soon MR Jones.

[hurryinhoosier62]

David,

Sounds like you're making good progress. Physical therapy sucks, but it helps you get back to near normal. Yeah, handling a driveshaft one-handed ISN'T easy!

[60man]

Good job David!! Where this a will there's a way...Think I heard that someplace..
Bet shifting gears was fun..but I'm sure it felt good to accomplish something..that you wanted..That's a feat with one arm!!
Hope you get ALL your arm back and heal up soon..

[David Jones]

Troy, shifting gears required the use of either the fingers on the bad hand or the insides of one of my legs to hold the wheel straight while the right hand stirred the shifter.

...and it felt good. I decided that staying out of the 4 barrel was a reasonable thing to do.

[Alvin]

Great update and inspiring "put my Pontiac back together to drive-it is my best therapy" story.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Also: Serious Idea to limit the pain during your healing have you considered Accupuncture? My wife goes to a certified and state licensed Accupuncture Dr. about once a year that solves her pain issues w/o having to use "muscle relaxers" or other heavy meds.

Not meant as preaching, just a suggestion to aid in your speedy recovery.

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by David Jones

Then my one armed ass went for a ride.

This makes me smile!

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by The Boss

This makes me smile!

Made me smile 2. Thought of that Dr. Strangelove scene "Holding On To A Missle With One Hand"

[bird72]

Good Luck on the healing David

[David Jones]

Originally Posted by The Boss

This makes me smile!

Chris, you should have seen MY smile!

[David Jones]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Made me smile 2. Thought of that Dr. Strangelove scene "Holding On To A Missle With One Hand"

Alvin, that's close!

[hurryinhoosier62]

One of my favorite scenes from "Dr. Strangelove"....Slim Pickens riding a nuke into the "Ruskies".

[Firedup6975]

OUCH!!!! I wish you a speedy pain free recovery.

[David Jones]

I'm out of the brace as of this morning. I need to have it around to wear as a reminder if I even THINK about using that arm for much more than holding a pencil. DO NOT activate my bicep. Therapy on that won't even start until early March. This whole process is scheduled to run out until about May, according to the "protocol" they are going by.
I can not....from the pain involved.....even try to rotate that left palm upward.

[hurryinhoosier62]

THAT sucks!

[PonchoV8]

Originally Posted by David Jones

Troy, shifting gears required the use of either the fingers on the bad hand or the insides of one of my legs to hold the wheel straight while the right hand stirred the shifter.

...and it felt good. I decided that staying out of the 4 barrel was a reasonable thing to do.

You must've been "Jonesing" to run her.

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by PonchoV8

You must've been "Jonesing" to run her.

[Goathead]

Bottom line, you're getting old and falling apart...get used to it...

[Old Blue 66]

Well, step one is that your moving forward and out of the brace. Be thankful that you are indeed moving froward David. Sorry to hear about the long road ahead but things could always be worse.