Very slowly my fingernails grew back but all summer my biggest problem was finger stiffness. All digits were wrapped up for so long tendons had stiffened. I kept going. Physiotherapy was twice weekly and when I wasn’t there I worked for 10 hours a day on my hands.
 
I had hand exercises to do with Homecraft Roylan therapy putty. Claw, fists, thumb on to palm and fingers spreading all helped me visualize what shapes I was desperately trying to make my paws represent. The exercises were time consuming and painful. I kept telling myself I’d be rewarded for enduring the pain.
 
In the early recovery days exercising my fingers would see them stiffen up within minutes of stopping giving me the impression they were dying on me.  They were still so cold and condensation dribbled off them. It all tried to deflate me but I kept going.
 
I’d get really embarrassed in front of shop cashiers. Even summer sun had my fingers turn blue so I wore Outdoor Designs layeron gloves.