Hey John,
OH NO! Ouch! Sorry to hear about your accident, and your expereince is proof that It can happen to anyone. For all the prevention that we add via good practice and equipment accidents do happen. ITs the human side of humanity I guess. And man do I hate to admit it when I am being really root-in tootin human. Thus, I admire your courage greatly to share the lesson.

A Little Humor If I may: From a building perspective.... Yeah its OK to try and raise the bar. Its even OK to push the envelope. However, John.......I think we should agree to certian limits. I propose informally of course that we declare it OK to strip in wood, rocks screens rattan, toilet seats and what ever else you have into our boats. However, I think stripping in body parts should be avoided. As an in-lay thumbs may be unique, but I just think its to far out there for most of us. I know this may become all the rage in the plains, but all us staid closer to the coast types are concerned that this may become a trend....like body piercing. We don't want everyone trying to in-lay thumbs into their boat.

John, I hope ya don't mind, and its certianly not meant at your expense. I have found in the worst of times that a that a little levity can at least make the healing moments go down easier. Good medicine. If I can make you laugh for a a minute then its been a good minute. Sometimes gallows humor is all that's gotten me through my own humanity.

Real medicine: I used to be called on my ambulance to the fish houses and crab meat packing houses for missing digits all th time. One of the things that they used to do after reattachement surgery was to put vitamin e- on the wound site after it heals closed. Seemed to promote healing and decrease the scar tissue build up.

Rest easy and Don't flip the table saw any more fresh meat.

You have my deepest Respect

!RUSS