The Steel Guitar Forum

Randal, it is his left hand. If you remember he had a ring finger on that hand that was immobilized from the other surgery years ago. My information is that he lost that finger and the little finger was severed, or nearly severed ( Mike can tell us for certain, he was there) and they moved his little finger over in the spot where his ring finger was and used tissue from the ring finger to make up some lost tissue on the pinkie. When I talked to him yesterday, before surgery, he was joking and told me that the Bigsbys were not for sale, he needed them to practice on. So you can draw your own conclusion as to his attitude about playing again.

phred

Oh man, the worst fears of anyone who works with machinery. I wish for you, the best. -- chas

Fred,
you pretty much have it right. I did figure at the time that Bobbe might lose his left thumb, ring finger and maybe the pinky as well, so its more good news that they were able to do what they did for him. Frankly, Im amazed!
I have to tell you that Bobbe's first comment upon seeing that fresh-faced surgeon walk in the room was: "Uhhhh...have you graduated high school yet? ", jokingly, of course He was a young'n for sure, but apparently THE man when it comes to sewing people back together! Im so glad that this is turning out as well as it is for Bobbe, the pain notwithstanding.
His courage in the moments immediately following the sad mishap was nothing short of exemplary. I sincerely doubt that Id've been so calm, were the situation reversed.......

Bobbe. We are very sorry to hear about this accident. God's Speed in your recovery. The steel guitar brotherhood needs your guidance. Get well very soon from Olean, New York. Zeke Cory

The Best to you in your recovery & to years to come. God bless you & be with you in this time & always!

hang in there old friend. Remember that Andy Iona of haw steel fame lost his left thumb and played beautiful music; also Billy Hew Lin of more recent haw steel fame lost his left hand and played great steel by adapting to a glove on his left hand. The whole world is pulling for you. cc

Howdy Bobbe
I hope you get a chance to read all these posts. Lots of Love going out your way, brother. I'm definetly on the list.

CAB

Hey Bobbe, we're sorry to hear about your accident, but we also know you'll be back playing before long as if nothing took place.

If you need anything at all, give us a shout and we'll see that you have it.

"Bobbe is tough as nails, so there's no doubt in my mind, he'll be playing long before he's really suppose to use the hand."

Knowing Bobbe he'll come out of the hospital playing left handed and blow us all away.

Speedy recovery my friend!


Joe Rogers

Just this minute got off the phone with our friend and he's in pretty good spirits, but a lot of pain. The damage to his fingers was pretty extensive. Now, he's under a heavy pain sedation, but he told me that all the fingers on his left hand had to have some reconstruction--including his thumb. Also, as Danny told us, the surgery was about 10 and a half hours long. As to his release from the hospital, he doesn't know but he's in no hurry to go home, he hurts that bad. I told him of the tremendous response from his many friends on the forum and he told me to tell you he loves you all and appreciates immensely your support. His attitude is good in my opinion and if it's possible he'll play again I'm certain. Again his thanks for all your support and he looks forward to getting back to work.

phred

Fred,
Was the injury just to his left hand, or some to both hands. The reason for my question ..clarification, and reasoning that he was holding the piece he was cutting with both hands.

Thanks for the update..Bill

My understanding is just his left hand. I hope Mike will come in and clarify. Bobbe was very groggy when I talked to him, on lot of pain med.

phred

Let's not forget to thank Mike for his quick response in getting Bobbe the treatment he needed!!!!

Bobbe, one day at a time will do the trick, and with your positive attitude things will fall into place soon.
Kindest regards,
Nic

Isn't it typical for Bobbe to find some humour out of this situation. Most of us would be feeling pretty sorry for ourselves given the same circumstances. Not him - life is too short for that sort of thing. Within a week he will be back to normal working long hours and doing deals. He puts people half his age to shame with his energy.

Thanks to Fred Shannon for keeping us updated.

Get well soon, Bobbe. You're a great man.

Sell that table saw and stick to your picking! Let them who cannot pick do the sawing! YA HEAR ME!!!???
UNCLE DOUG
modern medicine has finally progressed to where they can do what Bobbe & I were doing to steels back in the 50s.......taking spare parts and reconstructing! Only we weren't doing it to fingers.....just gittars!!
shore would love to talk when you're up to it???
I love you! UNCLE DOUG

Fred and Mike: Thanks for clarifying. I had wondered how extensive the damage was. Several of the guys I work with at Epiphone know Bobbe and all of them were shocked/saddened/hurt by the news. All of them told me to tell him to get well soon. Shoot, even some of the guys that don't know Bobbe were sympathetic. Lots of pickers there, and they know what this kind of injury means to a fellow musician.

Bobbe, there are a couple of us that are going to jam our private parts into belt sanders if you end up getting more sympathy than we did with our hospital stays....

Crank 'er up Reece...

:0

EJL

Oh man, this is bad news. I'm sorry this happened to you, Bobbe. I know you'll be back in the saddle pretty soon, though, because you've got a lot of heart and spirit, my friend. Here's to a speedy recovery!

Cliff

Bobbe,

Sorry to hear about the accident. I wish yuo a speedy recovery.

Steve

Bobbe, you are ther man and though I know this is pretty devastating; you will be back. You are truly one of the most accomodating and hospitable individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. God will see to your hand. Get back among us soon.

Bob

Yes, the left hand was damaged. In fact once we were in the car those were the first words out of Bobbe's mouth, "it couldve been the right one....". Great to hear he's going home soon!
MC

Bobbe, heal up real soon - you're an amazing musician and a great force in our steel community and Mike, thanks for the updates and getting Bobbe to the hospital so quick!

Best
Joel

I wish you a speedy recovery, Bobbe. My thoughts are with you.

Get well and feel better soon Bobbe. We've never met but my heart sank to my knees when I read what happened to you. Four years ago a left hand vs. table saw accident effectively ended my six-string career and I've been trying to learn the lap steel and pedal steel guitars ever since. It's been challenging ...

Try to keep your spirits up, things will get better, but it'll take time. I'm not a hand surgeon but if your recovery goes anything like mine first everything they re-attached has to get blood flow and heal in place. It's the most frustrating part of the healing process, because you want to see if you can move the fingers, if they have any feeling yet, etc. but they doctors want all the tendons, ligaments, bone, skin, nerves (especially nerves) to heal. In a few months they'll start operations like tenolysis surgeries to "free things up" and get you moving again, but until then you've got to rest and let your hand heal.

You can't speed it up, healing takes time, just keep your spirits up and know things will get better. Trust the doctors and physical therapists now when they tell you to remain still and rest, and trust them later on when they tell you to get your butt to physical therapy and exercise. I hate to say doctors know best but sometimes they actually do. You're in my prayers.

Sean Nolan