I had previous slight nerve damage in the hand that wasn't much of a problem. It was suddenly made worse when I had open heart surgery; I was on the table laying on my side for 7 hours, I'm told. Septuple bypass.
Stuff happens. Perhaps my arm was positioned awkwardly and the nerve was under compression during that time. The hand surgeon said there was a dent in the ulnar nerve about the size of a pinky finger, which explains the problem.
I make my living in music, both keyboards and guitars, so I need the use of my fingers. It was surgery or lose a lot of my ability. I have no regrets. I feel lucky that I didn't wake up dead.
"How do you know you're not dead?"
"If I was dead I'd be in hell playing the accordion or bagpipes, but I'm still playing my guitars and keyboards. Ipso facto, I'm not dead."
"Maybe you're in heaven."
"Nah, I'm still married."
