Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
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Possibly my end to modeling?
LinusB
Joined: March 21, 2016
KitMaker: 247 posts
Armorama: 126 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 - 09:03 AM UTC
Hang tough Curt, sounds like you are in good hands.
Bluestab
Joined: December 03, 2009
KitMaker: 2,160 posts
Armorama: 1,906 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 - 09:23 AM UTC
Curt,
Hopefully they'll get everything straight. I went through a series of operations to repair nerve damage to 2 of the three main nerves in my right arm. As is, two of those three nerves don't exist. All functions are being handled by the remaining nerve...which is a 1 in a million deal. The result is that I have limited use of my right hand.
The point I would make is to listen to the doctor and do what the therapist tells you. At the same time, you'll adapt. I had to learn to write again, tie my shoes, etc.
Good luck.
Hopefully they'll get everything straight. I went through a series of operations to repair nerve damage to 2 of the three main nerves in my right arm. As is, two of those three nerves don't exist. All functions are being handled by the remaining nerve...which is a 1 in a million deal. The result is that I have limited use of my right hand.
The point I would make is to listen to the doctor and do what the therapist tells you. At the same time, you'll adapt. I had to learn to write again, tie my shoes, etc.
Good luck.
PzDave
Joined: November 28, 2012
KitMaker: 319 posts
Armorama: 285 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 - 09:29 AM UTC
Paint military minatures--54mm. Should be able to so it with one hand.
janders
Joined: July 10, 2016
KitMaker: 45 posts
Armorama: 45 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 02:58 AM UTC
Quoted Text
In case anyone is interested, I ended up, late Monday, in the office of one of the top neurosurgeons in Las Vegas with my MRI results, purely through good fortune. It turns out that he did NOT see a problem emanating from my spinal column, but rather, he thinks that the problem is in the local ulnar nerve in both of my hands. Why the symptoms should show up at exactly the same time and in the same place on each side, he could not explain, other than to say he's seen it before. I'm now awaiting an appointment with another top neurologist to get nerve conduction tests to find out exactly where the problem(s) reside. So we will see. I really hope this is fixable, as I really want to be able to continue building models and playing musical instruments...
This is great news overall.
Hope I didn't offend anyone with my earlier post.
Us docs (and lawyers) have often been warned about "practicing medicine" or "practicing law" via email / internet / etc.
But we still have the urge to give some degree of advice about what you might have and more importantly who you should see to really figure it out.
My guess is you have some localized ulnar nerve entrapment and it was exacerbated bilaterally due to the way they positioned you during your surgery-- not that they did it wrong. I have some of that on my left side... annoying.
cabasner
Joined: February 12, 2012
KitMaker: 1,083 posts
Armorama: 1,014 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 03:19 AM UTC
Jon,
I didn't take your post as being offensive at all. I just wanted to be clear that the reason for my post wasn't to ask for medical help or advice, though I admit it may have come out that way, rather, it was intended to focus on the practical factors of modeling with severely reduced strength and coordination in my hands. I do, however, really appreciate your last post. I never want to be the cause of any misunderstandings on forums...these forums, with for models and music, are too important for me to become a pariah in these places...
I didn't take your post as being offensive at all. I just wanted to be clear that the reason for my post wasn't to ask for medical help or advice, though I admit it may have come out that way, rather, it was intended to focus on the practical factors of modeling with severely reduced strength and coordination in my hands. I do, however, really appreciate your last post. I never want to be the cause of any misunderstandings on forums...these forums, with for models and music, are too important for me to become a pariah in these places...
Afroman
Joined: April 04, 2007
KitMaker: 152 posts
Armorama: 137 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 03:21 AM UTC
Hope it turns out for the Better Curt, Sounds like you're in great hands though.
I lost my father 2 years ago when I was 21 to Lung cancer and I took a break from modelling, I'm by no means a doctor but maybe it would be better to take a break? (Again I mean no offence by this and wish you the best with your recovery, Hang tough)
I lost my father 2 years ago when I was 21 to Lung cancer and I took a break from modelling, I'm by no means a doctor but maybe it would be better to take a break? (Again I mean no offence by this and wish you the best with your recovery, Hang tough)
cabasner
Joined: February 12, 2012
KitMaker: 1,083 posts
Armorama: 1,014 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 03:30 AM UTC
Afroman,
Sorry, very sorry, to hear of your loss.
I haven't been doing a whole lot of modeling of late, so the break you suggested was kind of already in place. I just was looking a bit towards the future. I appreciate your thoughts.
Sorry, very sorry, to hear of your loss.
I haven't been doing a whole lot of modeling of late, so the break you suggested was kind of already in place. I just was looking a bit towards the future. I appreciate your thoughts.
Afroman
Joined: April 04, 2007
KitMaker: 152 posts
Armorama: 137 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 03:36 AM UTC
Thankyou, As they say "That's Life".
Have you been suggested using a stress ball gently to maybe help strengthen the hand? I know someone who did it after a rugby injury (Whilst listening to Bird song oddly enough) - might be worth a try.
Have you been suggested using a stress ball gently to maybe help strengthen the hand? I know someone who did it after a rugby injury (Whilst listening to Bird song oddly enough) - might be worth a try.
cabasner
Joined: February 12, 2012
KitMaker: 1,083 posts
Armorama: 1,014 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 03:44 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Thankyou, As they say "That's Life".
Have you been suggested using a stress ball gently to maybe help strengthen the hand? I know someone who did it after a rugby injury (Whilst listening to Bird song oddly enough) - might be worth a try.
LOL you think just like my wife, who has already given me that thought. I told her, however, that it's only been a week since this problem developed, and given that my impending nerve condition tests are (hopefully) only a short time away, I want to make sure that doing exercise doesn't cause more potential nerve damage. I'll certainly follow whatever advice the docs give me!
Afroman
Joined: April 04, 2007
KitMaker: 152 posts
Armorama: 137 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 03:46 AM UTC
Well... you know what they say about great minds... 
Good to hear, hope it all goes well!
Good to hear, hope it all goes well!
vettejack
Joined: November 23, 2012
KitMaker: 1,277 posts
Armorama: 1,254 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 06:09 PM UTC
I'm having to fight the long term affects of being exposed to Agent Orange, so, I can somewhat relate a little bit to what you are going through.
Hang in there..."there is always another way to skin a cat"...perhaps there is an alternative way to model that will find you instead of you trying to find it.
Hang in there..."there is always another way to skin a cat"...perhaps there is an alternative way to model that will find you instead of you trying to find it.
Tojo72
Joined: June 06, 2006
KitMaker: 4,691 posts
Armorama: 3,509 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 07:52 PM UTC
I'm wishing you a full recovery Curtis,at least to the point where you have a good quality of life.
drabslab
Joined: September 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,186 posts
Armorama: 190 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 08:22 PM UTC
Dear Curt,
I stumbled upon your post by coincidence, I am more of an Aeroscale regular and don't follow the Armorama forums to any detail.
I think I quite well understand what you are going through, I had a few problems of my own due to an accident. I don't want to enter into detail, this is not about competing on the most horific story, isn't it.
However, if this may be of any value to you: amongst a range of other complaints I also had that tingling, numb feeling in one of my hands because a screw that the surgeon put in damaged a nerve. I could not lift a pencil with that hand for months and the tingling became so annoying I even considered hitting that bl00dy hand with a hamer
My advice: hang in there, be patient, follow doctors advice and very importantly, be optimistic. If in the worst case you would no longer be able to make kits, imagine what other fun things you may discover to fill that free time with.
Likely, you will not have to go searching for other activities. In my case first the numbness got less intense and I automatically used the hand more despite the tingling. At one point I noticed surprised that I was not bothered anymore by that tingling, and today it is gone.
All the best and if needed, don't hesitate to shout your frustration on this network, that is why it is called a community, present in the good, and the less good days
I stumbled upon your post by coincidence, I am more of an Aeroscale regular and don't follow the Armorama forums to any detail.
I think I quite well understand what you are going through, I had a few problems of my own due to an accident. I don't want to enter into detail, this is not about competing on the most horific story, isn't it.
However, if this may be of any value to you: amongst a range of other complaints I also had that tingling, numb feeling in one of my hands because a screw that the surgeon put in damaged a nerve. I could not lift a pencil with that hand for months and the tingling became so annoying I even considered hitting that bl00dy hand with a hamer
My advice: hang in there, be patient, follow doctors advice and very importantly, be optimistic. If in the worst case you would no longer be able to make kits, imagine what other fun things you may discover to fill that free time with.
Likely, you will not have to go searching for other activities. In my case first the numbness got less intense and I automatically used the hand more despite the tingling. At one point I noticed surprised that I was not bothered anymore by that tingling, and today it is gone.
All the best and if needed, don't hesitate to shout your frustration on this network, that is why it is called a community, present in the good, and the less good days
GDCFAST
Joined: April 19, 2017
KitMaker: 10 posts
Armorama: 10 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 10:55 PM UTC
Hello there, I had the same issues as you regarding nostrils and finger issues, and on top of that Im asthmatic, so with that in mind let a 62 year old give you some advice as to how to possibly remedy these issues, oh and by the way im building up a storm and healthy like a 17 year old from what my doctor just told me.
First your going to have to man up and get all your pipes cleaned out, colon cleaning, fiber to clean you out , reduce your red meat and salt intake, drink water mixed with cranberry juice till your pissing like a sailor , I can tell you that if you start there you will see some big differences in your health.
First your going to have to man up and get all your pipes cleaned out, colon cleaning, fiber to clean you out , reduce your red meat and salt intake, drink water mixed with cranberry juice till your pissing like a sailor , I can tell you that if you start there you will see some big differences in your health.
iguanac
Joined: September 06, 2007
KitMaker: 145 posts
Armorama: 131 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 04, 2017 - 01:05 AM UTC
Curt,
i am not a doctor to help you out, nor a motivational speaker. A friend of mine had several fractures of his arm (osteoporosis or whatever it should be written), it is fixed in plaster and barely movable. He is a very inspiring guy, so i am linking a post from a local scale model forum where he challenged himself in building a plane with one arm (in Serbian):
http://www.maketarskikutak.com/index.php/topic,21867.0.html
best wishes for both of you!
i am not a doctor to help you out, nor a motivational speaker. A friend of mine had several fractures of his arm (osteoporosis or whatever it should be written), it is fixed in plaster and barely movable. He is a very inspiring guy, so i am linking a post from a local scale model forum where he challenged himself in building a plane with one arm (in Serbian):
http://www.maketarskikutak.com/index.php/topic,21867.0.html
best wishes for both of you!
cabasner
Joined: February 12, 2012
KitMaker: 1,083 posts
Armorama: 1,014 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 04, 2017 - 09:04 AM UTC
I am really appreciating the posts that you nice folks are adding to my thread. What those are doing are continuing to show me how much worse many of you are than me, with my little numbness/strength deal. I don't recall if I had written that perhaps the most difficult single action that I can no longer perform with my hands in their current conditions is to be able to button and unbutton my jeans or dress slacks. That's kinds key in being able to dress oneself in the mornings for work or for a fun day, and then be able to unbutton those pants if a bathroom need comes up. That alone is agonizingly frustrating. I've gotten a couple different 'dressing aids' that purport to assist with this kind of strength problem, but haven't been able to figure out how to use those tools yet. Dropping a planned 60 pounds, which I have NEEDED to do for a very long time will surely help with this aspect of things. All I know is that I am getting a few types of nerve conduction tests tomorrow afternoon, and I hope that will give this top notch neurologist enough info to be able to tell me what I must do to get this silliness fixed. I really hope he is going to be able to tell me that,,,definitively, and not just a range of possible fixes. We will know by tomorrow afternoon, and my hope is that the path forward is not to be going exercises in the hope that function will slowly return. Frankly, I'll be thrilled if they tell me that I'll need to find a hand surgeon to free those nerves from some tunnel they're in. I'm not at all afraid of hearing surgery is next, because that should fix it...or so I am hoping. I should know SOMETHING by tomorrow afternoon.
j76lr
Joined: September 22, 2006
KitMaker: 1,081 posts
Armorama: 1,066 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 04, 2017 - 02:54 PM UTC
Good Luck !
Blucop
Joined: January 03, 2005
KitMaker: 279 posts
Armorama: 262 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 04, 2017 - 04:43 PM UTC
Hang in there. You WILL overcome this!
RobinNilsson
TOS Moderator
Joined: November 29, 2006
KitMaker: 6,693 posts
Armorama: 5,562 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 04, 2017 - 04:56 PM UTC
Curt,
Has carpal tunnel syndrome been discussed?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome
"The main symptoms are pain, numbness, and tingling, in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the thumb side of the ring fingers.[1] Symptoms typically start gradually and during the night.[2] Pain may extend up the arm.[2] Weak grip strength may occur and after a long period of time the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away.[2] In more than half of cases both sides are affected.[1]"
My mother had it and got surgery which fixed it.
Good luck!
/ Robin
Has carpal tunnel syndrome been discussed?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome
"The main symptoms are pain, numbness, and tingling, in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the thumb side of the ring fingers.[1] Symptoms typically start gradually and during the night.[2] Pain may extend up the arm.[2] Weak grip strength may occur and after a long period of time the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away.[2] In more than half of cases both sides are affected.[1]"
My mother had it and got surgery which fixed it.
Good luck!
/ Robin
CReading
#001
Joined: February 09, 2002
KitMaker: 1,726 posts
Armorama: 892 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 04, 2017 - 11:57 PM UTC
Hi Curt,
I certainly hope that all works out well with you and you regain full ability and use of your hand.
That being said, Several years back when I was actively participating in almost all the local Bay Area shows I met a young man at several shows who had one arm.
Apparently he had lost his arm in an industrial accident. He had been a modeler throughout his teens and adult life up until the accident. When he came to grips with having lost the arm, he decided that he would not cause him to give up modeling. He used one of those "extra hand" clamping devices. He made jigs and found devices to hold models while being worked on or painted. He said that although it took him a while longer to complete a model he was still able to figure out ways to work things out.
His finished work didn't look any different from any two armed builder and he often went home from the shows with various medals and awards.
Now I hope and pray that you regain 100% use and ability in your hand but if it remains the same or you only regain a percentage of use, don't feel that your modeling days are finished.
If modeling is a passion (as with most who are active on these forums) you can always find a way.
Here's wishing you a 100% recovery and that in the near future this will all seem like just a bad dream.
Cheers,
C.
I certainly hope that all works out well with you and you regain full ability and use of your hand.
That being said, Several years back when I was actively participating in almost all the local Bay Area shows I met a young man at several shows who had one arm.
Apparently he had lost his arm in an industrial accident. He had been a modeler throughout his teens and adult life up until the accident. When he came to grips with having lost the arm, he decided that he would not cause him to give up modeling. He used one of those "extra hand" clamping devices. He made jigs and found devices to hold models while being worked on or painted. He said that although it took him a while longer to complete a model he was still able to figure out ways to work things out.
His finished work didn't look any different from any two armed builder and he often went home from the shows with various medals and awards.
Now I hope and pray that you regain 100% use and ability in your hand but if it remains the same or you only regain a percentage of use, don't feel that your modeling days are finished.
If modeling is a passion (as with most who are active on these forums) you can always find a way.
Here's wishing you a 100% recovery and that in the near future this will all seem like just a bad dream.
Cheers,
C.
jphillips
Joined: February 25, 2007
KitMaker: 1,066 posts
Armorama: 789 posts
Posted: Friday, May 05, 2017 - 04:30 AM UTC
Be brave! I'll be thinking of you, and I'll pray for your recovery.
pzandt
Joined: January 02, 2013
KitMaker: 68 posts
Armorama: 57 posts
Posted: Friday, May 05, 2017 - 05:02 AM UTC
Curt:
I'm sorry to hear of your problem.
I did not read through every comment prior to writing this, so if this sounds repetitive, please disregard.
Last year, I could not move either of my arms without excruciating pain. Simple movement, such as crossing one's arms, moving rapidly, as to throw an object, swimming, and even lying on the grass with my hands clasped behind my head were impossible.
My primary care physician, took x-rays and an MRI, but could not do anything for me, other than give me a list of exercises I could perform to try to mitigate the pain.
I tried acupuncture, which provided temporary relief, but did not solve my pain issue.
I then followed the suggestion of a good friend and set an appointment with his chiropractor. As a kid, I was led to believe that chiropractors were not real doctors and got the license through mail-order. So I was skeptical. Nonetheless, I set the appointment.
Today, I am virtually pain free. Occasionally I feel pain in my arms, but nothing like before.
Whereas my primary care physician took x-rays of my should, the right one being the worst of the two, the chiropractor took an x-ray of my neck. There he found the problem. An injury sustained to my neck years before and come back to haunt me and was pinching the nerves in a way that made movement of my arms a painful affair.
I am not a physician, but when you are in pain and when your lifestyle, model building, is at risk, what do you have to lose? I reluctantly went to the chiropractor, months after being in worsening pain. I wish I had gone sooner.
May I suggest you do the same. It might make matters better.
Good luck.
I'm sorry to hear of your problem.
I did not read through every comment prior to writing this, so if this sounds repetitive, please disregard.
Last year, I could not move either of my arms without excruciating pain. Simple movement, such as crossing one's arms, moving rapidly, as to throw an object, swimming, and even lying on the grass with my hands clasped behind my head were impossible.
My primary care physician, took x-rays and an MRI, but could not do anything for me, other than give me a list of exercises I could perform to try to mitigate the pain.
I tried acupuncture, which provided temporary relief, but did not solve my pain issue.
I then followed the suggestion of a good friend and set an appointment with his chiropractor. As a kid, I was led to believe that chiropractors were not real doctors and got the license through mail-order. So I was skeptical. Nonetheless, I set the appointment.
Today, I am virtually pain free. Occasionally I feel pain in my arms, but nothing like before.
Whereas my primary care physician took x-rays of my should, the right one being the worst of the two, the chiropractor took an x-ray of my neck. There he found the problem. An injury sustained to my neck years before and come back to haunt me and was pinching the nerves in a way that made movement of my arms a painful affair.
I am not a physician, but when you are in pain and when your lifestyle, model building, is at risk, what do you have to lose? I reluctantly went to the chiropractor, months after being in worsening pain. I wish I had gone sooner.
May I suggest you do the same. It might make matters better.
Good luck.
DocEvan
Joined: August 09, 2014
KitMaker: 180 posts
Armorama: 180 posts
Posted: Friday, May 05, 2017 - 05:41 AM UTC
Good luck, Curt!!
Quoted Text
In case anyone is interested, I ended up, late Monday, in the office of one of the top neurosurgeons in Las Vegas with my MRI results, purely through good fortune. It turns out that he did NOT see a problem emanating from my spinal column, but rather, he thinks that the problem is in the local ulnar nerve in both of my hands. Why the symptoms should show up at exactly the same time and in the same place on each side, he could not explain, other than to say he's seen it before. I'm now awaiting an appointment with another top neurologist to get nerve conduction tests to find out exactly where the problem(s) reside. So we will see. I really hope this is fixable, as I really want to be able to continue building models and playing musical instruments...
JPTRR
Managing Editor#051
Joined: December 21, 2002
KitMaker: 7,772 posts
Armorama: 2,447 posts
Posted: Friday, May 05, 2017 - 05:58 AM UTC
Success to you. I'll pray for your healing.
AgentG
Joined: December 21, 2008
KitMaker: 1,109 posts
Armorama: 1,095 posts
Posted: Friday, May 05, 2017 - 06:12 AM UTC
Curt, I'd love to sit and talk with you regarding these issues. Will you be at the IPMS show tomorrow?
Eastside Cannery 9a-5p.
G
Eastside Cannery 9a-5p.
G
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