the pain scale

I had another follow-up appointment today, yet more x-rays, and had the pin that's been immobilizing my middle finger removed. And when I write "pin", I mean something like a finishing nail that went from my finger tip through the bone into the middle bone. And when I write "removed", I mean pulled out with a pair of pliers.

Since I've had a bunch of post crash doctor visits, I've had to give a number to my pain level several times. However, pain is a relative thing, and when you're put on the spot to try to quantify it, it's difficult, especially if you're a geeky type of person.

A paper cut on your finger tip hurts like crazy, and in the moment it happens, I'd probably give it a "10" but of course it's not remotely life threatening even for a hemophiliac. When you're really seriously hurt, initially there's something that's more like a wave of trauma as you start to realize what happened, but then the mind wanders off into a  fantasy land where there's no blood, no trauma, and no pain. So even though that's a real "10" on the pain chart, you don't know it.

But sheesh, even though my finger was numb today, it definitely was an off-the-chart level of agony today.

But before I complain about that, there's nothing like a trip to the hospital to put one's troubles into perspective. While I was waiting for the docs, I overheard a conversation about a woman who had just been admitted for a completely shattered right arm and severed left arm. So, while I'm going to start racing again, that poor woman's life is completely changed.