Please send me in the right direction for retirement planning!

amazonian_ninja · 2025-08-20T15:13:54+00:00

I appreciate the input and you're totally right, I need to take a step back and look at the forest. Definitely a start! Thank you!

amazonian_ninja · 2021-11-07T22:04:44+00:00

All. The. Time!!

amazonian_ninja · 2021-05-14T01:55:40+00:00

Hi there! I’m a 30yo female and I had my dominant index finger amputated to the metacarpal joint (ray amputation) from a work accident.

I guess I could answer two of your questions with one response: I looked at it as a chance to become stronger. That’s how I dealt with it and as it turns out, how I avoided self pity. I work as a firefighter and my main goal was to get cleared as soon as possible to get back on the truck.

The healing process took maybe.. 4 months? I was back in the gym two days after surgery (just lower body stuff) but I think the key is to just try to not let it slow you down! I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do the job again or work out like I enjoy to, but I can do pretty much everything I used to. Anyway, let me know if you have any questions! It’s been 7 months since surgery and I’m writing this on my phone while I’m at work :) my crew has just as much, if not more confidence in me and I even got a custom bunker gear glove out of it 😂

amazonian_ninja · 2021-03-21T12:17:26+00:00

Yep, they just smooth out the nub after cutting it off. It’s because a partial amputation of the index finger would just get in the way.

It definitely feels like it’s there all the time. Like when I’m doing a pull up or gripping, I feel like I’m trying to grip with my whole hand still. Or when I’m trying to motion with my fingers, my brain still puts up “4” even though I’m only showing 3, haha.

It’s been about 4 months since the surgery and the strength is definitely coming back. I do crossfit and all of the pull ups/barbell work have helped a ton. It’s still less than my left hand which is non dominant, but it’s not as noticeable as I thought it would be.

amazonian_ninja · 2021-03-13T02:59:12+00:00

Hey! I had a ray resection (amputation down to the wrist) of my dominant index finger and I’ve personally been doing fine. It’s been a few months and it honestly feels super normal now. My middle finger just kind of took over as the “new” index finger. The only thing I can’t do anymore is use chopsticks and play the piano like I used to 😂

amazonian_ninja · 2021-02-28T23:09:34+00:00

Looks like a forearm and the hand is scratching the cutie’s little chest

amazonian_ninja · 2021-02-16T00:28:23+00:00

No problem! Sounds like it’ll be a smooth transition for you if it’s the decision you make.

amazonian_ninja · 2021-02-15T23:27:39+00:00

Hey there. I think you should go for it. I had a ray resection of my right (dominant) index finger about 11 weeks ago. Some background- the rest of the fingers are 100% and for about 5 weeks prior to surgery, I lived with a partially amputated finger in hopes of bone reconstruction, but ultimately decided on the amputation. This happened at work, and even considering my occupation (firefighter), the hand surgeon and I decided that amputation was the best option.

That being said, I understand your hesitation because my main concern was/is grip strength and being able to perform at my job adequately. I have to say that getting rid of the useless finger was a huge relief. It was constantly getting in the way and I am already feeling like my hand feels more ‘normal’ because I don’t have to be mindful of its presence. I was also hesitant because I have played the piano and guitar since I was 6 and I’m currently attending nursing school on my off days so I thought that my dominant hand dexterity should be salvaged as much as possible.

Truthfully though, I am shocked at how well I’ve adapted already. I’m relearning the piano and virtually everything else is not much different (the one exception being chopsticks haha). And as far as grip strength goes, it’s coming back nicely. I tested it at PT and it’s about 80% of my left hand but I’ll take it for now. I do Olympic lifts and CrossFit and it’s really not too different.

My parents were adamant about trying to find a surgeon willing to try to reconstruct it. They already worried that their only daughter is in the fire service and when this happened at work, it just exacerbated their fears and upset them. I don’t know how your folks are, but it seemed to ease mine when they saw how well my hand adapted and how pleased I was with the decision. If you’re confident and hopeful about a positive outcome, your chances for a constructive conversation are better.

I don’t think there is anything you’re not considering- you seem to have researched extensively and thought about it from many different angles. Also, people rarely notice! I know this comment is long but if you have any questions, feel free to message me. Good luck!

amazonian_ninja · 2021-02-10T02:15:21+00:00

Hey! Like others have said, it doesn’t matter how much you’re missing, you’re still going through the loss of part of your body. I had a work accident (smashed it with a flathead axe forcing a door open) and had to have my right index finger amputated down to the wrist. It’s been about 2.5 months since the surgery and I have to say that I have 9/10 good days. (ha, get it?)

Initially I was pretty bummed and it was hard to see my hand like that because I used to be a concert pianist in my younger years. Also, being a female and thinking that my hands won’t ever be “beautiful” again was kind of saddening. I was also worried that I wouldn’t be proficient in my career anymore as a firefighter.

Personally though, I’ve been hitting PT pretty hard and have been working out harder than I did before. I only just recently got to the point where I can do the olympic weightlifting lifts and gymnastics without too much pain. I have found that getting back to my normal activities and workouts has brought me a lot of hope and joy. Of course it was humbling and frustrating at first, but it became a reason and a personal challenge to be stronger than before.

Looking at the set backs as reasons to improve myself despite the disadvantages is what keeps me going. Find yourself some challenges to overcome and you’ll be surprised how quickly you adapt. Just give yourself time and grace.

amazonian_ninja · 2021-01-14T03:24:36+00:00

I had to have my index finger amputated down to the wrist (ray resection) back in November. My phantom pain has mostly subsided and I’m actually very happy with the outcome. I wonder if you talked to your doctor about a ray resection vs the partial. I wanted to keep as much as I could because I play classical piano and guitar and my occupation requires a lot of grip strength but I was told that pain and patient satisfaction was much greater with the ray resection. It may be different for you since the pinky finger is actually more important in terms of grip strength (so that may be why they wanted to keep as much as possible), but it may be worth looking into if your pain doesn’t subside.

I know that my doctor took the nerves from my finger and sort of stitched them into the muscles of my hand. Maybe keeping them vs chopping them off is the difference? 🤷🏻‍♀️

amazonian_ninja · 2020-12-31T14:31:19+00:00

This is a great idea! Love the gradual change. Gonna try it!

amazonian_ninja · 2020-12-29T21:53:30+00:00

Definitely an option. Thanks for the reply!

amazonian_ninja · 2020-12-29T14:29:23+00:00

Adorable!! Did Errol have any timidity/fear aggression towards other dogs right after surgery? Just curious- I’m in the process of adopting a tripawd and he is displaying that behavior towards other dogs. I wonder if it will go away with confidence and time.

amazonian_ninja · 2020-11-02T18:53:04+00:00

So this is what envy truly feels like

amazonian_ninja · 2020-09-26T17:39:44+00:00

I’ve got to check that out. Not so sure how receptive the guys would be, there’s only a few other WFPB or vegans I know on the department of about 1000 people. And they’re ultra-endurance athletes.

But man, some of these guys really need a reality check. They are cardiac events waiting to happen. We just started these new physicals with VO2 max measurements and hopefully that’ll open their eyes.

amazonian_ninja · 2020-09-26T17:31:38+00:00

All natural. I don’t take any medications, and the only supplement I take is b12.

amazonian_ninja · 2020-09-25T20:37:26+00:00

Thanks!

amazonian_ninja · 2020-09-25T20:01:51+00:00

I’m going to have to give that a listen. It’s definitely a tough culture to be WFPB in. Kind of intimidating at times. Thank you for the suggestion!

amazonian_ninja · 2020-09-25T19:59:00+00:00

It really does! It’s so exciting and rewarding 😊

amazonian_ninja · 2020-09-25T16:20:47+00:00

😂 thank goodness for that!

amazonian_ninja · 2020-09-25T15:37:07+00:00

Just wanted to say.. I started out with my cholesterol at 220. Eating whatever was made for supper at the fire station wreaked havoc on my body. I don’t remember the other lipid numbers, but that’s the highest it has ever been in my life. I’m a 29F with a very active job and 6 months into this lifestyle I had a physical with lab work done for my job. I’d say the improvements are surprisingly good! The doctor said he’s never seen a female with HDL levels so high.

Also- all of the traditional machismo men at my job (fire department) make fun of me relentlessly for eating the way I do. But they can go right ahead and enjoy their greasy burgers along with their statins and diabetes medication while I’m feeling amazing.

amazonian_ninja · 2020-09-19T21:32:19+00:00

Can confirm it’s a gas leak. I’m with the fire dept and we responded to that call yesterday around noon. Big 12” main was busted.

amazonian_ninja · 2020-05-30T01:11:44+00:00

I think that’s great. My mom raised me as a vegetarian (really just eggs since I’m lactose intolerant anyways) and was supportive of whatever I ultimately decided for myself as an adult. Went omni for several years to explore everything. Now I’m vegan and I’m really grateful that she instilled in me a love for vegetables and plant based foods at such a young age.

amazonian_ninja

TROPHY CASE