I used to play piano for hours a day out of enjoyment. I won't try to express the level of satisfaction, peace and enjoyment it brought to me, because frankly I don't think it's possible to do so. I can only trust that others who relate can know of what I'm speaking.
I had an unfortunate accident at work (a construction shop) and ran both my middle and pointer finger on my left hand through a table saw.
The surgeon, a talented hand specialist, was able to basket weave my middle finger back together, and it once again resembles a finger (to the slightly worrying surprise of the surgeon). I've undergone some physical therapy and have regained nearly all functionality with that finger. My pointer finger is the issue. The saw removed the bone after the third knuckle, so the surgeon removed the rest. I still have the knuckle, a very small amount of bone and quite a lot of scar tissue on the end of my finger. Where a finger nail would normally start, my finger ends.
I am now having the following issues:
- The scar tissue is enough that my pointer finger no longer fits between the black keys and is relegated to playing the lower, wider portion of the white keys. This is very problematic at times, and I have no idea how to adapt to this.
- While I have only lost a little more than 1/2" of the end of my finger, it has made a massive difference on my ability to play. I am a much worse pianist, and that "connection" I used to feel with the piano is mostly gone. It is difficult for me emotionally and mentally to feel like I have lost the ability to express myself.
Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on how to deal with either of the above issues?