Wow, Rob. Didn't realize you had those leg injuries as well - makes sense, though. Here's hoping for a short lived, full recovery all the way around.
It doesn't seem reasonable somehow that you can't find your own local hand doctor as soon as you want. I would definitely take the opportunity to get as much information and healing as you can. I understand about not having the use of your hand - it's a bummer! I stuck a knife through my left hand once (that's a long story - needless to say, Graham doesn't let me get my hands on knives in the kitchen anymore...) and cut the tendon that makes my thumb bend. It took a long time...sigh.
But it's WORTH IT! Do what you have to do to get your hand fixed properly.
As far as the valve train - it's surprising how tough it is. Our club held a Halloween Campout every year and one year this fellow rode in with the valve cover
completely ground through. He had gone down on the way to the rally, grinding down the valve cover as he slid along the pavement, got up and rode on in to the rally. We picked up a used valve cover for him (up in the attic at the old dealership) and got him fixed up enough to make it back home. No damage to the valve train at all.
