Propeller 1 - Finger 0

Monday night I added a new airplane to the hanger. Pictured below are my two RC airplanes. The small yellow one is an ultra micro HobbyZone Champ. The larger white one is an Airport Cessna 182 Sky Trainer which is the newest acquisition.

Champ and Cessna
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While checking out the controls on the Cessna the motor spun up an the plane started running off the table towards me. My reaction was to try and stop the plane with my right hand. I honestly think I just reacted without thinking too much about it. Big mistake! The spinning propeller struck my middle finger and nearly chopped it off at the first joint. Donna and I spent about 3 hours in the ER getting X-rays and stitches. Here's a couple of shots of my hand after returning from the ER.

Finger
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Finger
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I've had a follow-up visit with an Orthopedic specialist and I guess I was very lucky that I didn't lose the tip of my finger. I have a new brace that I will have to wear for the next 8 weeks while my finger heals. So what have I learned from all of this - plenty:

1 - Always remove the propeller when you hook up the battery when indoors.
2 - It's better to do these checks outside.
3 - I don't have the ninja-like relexes I used to have.
4 - I have an incredible wife. Donna has bent over backwards to help me out with things I need to do even though she's in the first week of her new dental assistant program.
5 - Not being able to type with my middle finger sucks!