Thanks guys- I think it will be OK. Might not get 100% feeling back in the index finger, and the middle finger is wearing a little 'sidecar' but nothing too bad. My only real concern is the nail bed coming back 100% on the index finger; it is alive (there was some doubt about that) and growing but may be deformed. And all 100% due to my own stupidity- I would blame the machine, an earthquake, a gamma- ray burst or whatever else but this one is entirely on me.
Oh well, how does it go- 'A scar, a tattoo, a divorce: it adds up to a life. I have gray hair and have not gotten the tattoo or divorce yet so I cannot really complain about the scar I guess.
Andrea did point out though (with her damn good fingers!) that as we are in the middle of a major house rebuild / renovation (second floor removed, second floor re-installed.... literally) it would have really altered things for the worse if I had lost a finger or two. So there is always a bright side and in this case, that is most definitely it. Also, no damage to my hand that will in any impede riding so that is a great thing also.
Brian
+1 argument, firewood splitter and right hand is never a good combination. Hope everything is going to be ok.