Dave, Good luck with the surgery. I'm sure it will come out fine. I'm equally sure it will be a hassle for a while, but that you will conquer the beast. (After all, you will still have full use of your "RIGHT" hand. Hi!) 73, Jim Weaver, K8JE Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL; http://www.arrl.org/ 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040 Tel.: 513-459-0142; E-mail: k8je@arrl.org ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio Is! MEMBERS: The reason ARRL Is! -----Original Message----- From: Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ [mailto:dsumner@arrl.org] Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 4:32 PM To: arrl-odv Subject: [ARRL-ODV:11488] Surgery While tomorrow is listed in the IN Newsletter as a vacation day for me, in fact I will be undergoing outpatient surgery on my left hand tomorrow morning. I have a hereditary condition called Dupuytren's Contracture, which if untreated will result in my fingers eventually curling into my palm (two of them are about halfway there already). My hand will be in a cast for a while, after which I'll have to wear a splint and do physical therapy. Keyboarding will be problematic for a while. Fortunately, while I'm left-handed, I send CW with my right hand. Dave K1ZZ