Just let everyone know who may be waiting for a restored flute or new flute, I will be out of commission for the next two or three months. I have to get surgery on my shoulder, torn bicep and rotator cuff. 
It will be tough to look at all my beautiful flutes and not be able to play them!
Does anyone know of a Prosetic device I can use to replace my left arm, so I can continue playing? 
Yeah mine! Give me your patent head R&R and Iāll make sure it doesnāt dry out or get lonely. 
Good luck with the surgery, Jon. One of the feeders at my cat colony had this work done, and it certainly took plenty of very frustrating PT to get back in action. Donāt push it any faster than advised - it takes time to reacquire strength and movement.
Very kind offer, but my R&R will stay under my pillow during convalescenceā¦ I was going to try and finish your, the I had a car accident that tore my shoulder the rest of the way, making it difficult to work, (like one hand clapping)ā¦ 
I have never been accused by a physical therapist of pushing myself to hard, they usually drag me kicking and screaming! 
Knocks over the vase. āThe Flute is out!ā
Well, I hope itās not your Italian coffee sipping arm. The caffeine is good for circulation.
Terry
Good luck, Jon. I had shoulder stabilization surgery ten years or so ago, and it was very unpleasant. As Kevin said, thereās nothing you can do to accelerate some aspects of recovery. After three or four months, I thought Iād recovered pretty much all my strength, I started bottling a batch of beer. No problem hefting around the 5-gallon carboy, but when I tried fill a bottle, I had to switch hands because I couldnāt lift it (empty) straight out in front of me with the surgically repaired arm.
Jon, I hope that the surgery goes well and that you have a full recovery. In the meantime you need to figure out some interesting one-hand activities.
Didjeridu would be very playable with one arm out of action. Obviously nothing like a flute, but, a very worthwhile instrument to get into, and, like I say, ideal while your arms healing.
And Tabor Pipes were invented for one-armed flute makers/restorers (or at least so Iāve been told).
Best wishes with the surgery and even more with the post-op rehab.
Steve
Yes, definitely: Good luck with it and a speed recovery!
Ouch! Had back surgeries that laid me up, but my hands still worked. Lilting new tunes so youāre ready when you can pick up the flute again? I understand Guiness is very theraputic. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Don
Hey Jon,
Sorry to hear of your woes! 
Hope you have a speedy recovery! 
To try playing while youāre recuperating, you could rig up a cheater connected a section of hose. Then you could play your flute in your lap (bit like the pipes). Wouldnāt be as much fun, but would allow you to drone out a few tunes!
Good luck, Jon - sure youāll be playing again in no time!
(I was gonna say hang in there, butā¦)
Best,
Gordon
Jon - any chance Michael Eskinās ipad app might allow you to keep going? Iām assuming here youāll be able to move the fingers on the left hand, of course. Maybe you can play it on your lap with the arm/shoulder relaxed. Your avatar wonāt be able to punch with that left paw for a while.
Garry
Brilliant idea there Terry, I bet the keywork was interestingā¦
Thanks for the suggestions and encouragement! I may see if I can play concertina, but probably notā¦ It is difficult not being able to do repairs and flute building, so many flutes patiently waiting to be restored! 
Good luck, Jon. Donāt be afraid of the physical therapy. Five years later, my total knee replacement is a complete success. I pushed my therapy as much as I could ā squats and stair-climbs in the gym two weeks after, flight back to Ireland three weeks after ā but I am glad that I was aggressive. The physical therapy will hurt enough to make you cry but you want to minimize the possibility of adhesions after the surgery.
If it was me Iād look into playing the button box. Josie Marsh plays beautifully with just one hand. It was Seamus Tansey who said that āthe basses on the button box are as useful as tits on a boar.ā I.e., you donāt really need them. If it is the right shoulder that will have the work done then you may have to turn the box upside down so you can play it with your left hand, but it can be done.
I will be thinking of you and cheering you on to full recovery.
Love,
Julieā¦
hope all goes well, and wishing you a fast recovery, e.
Good Luck Jon! Get well very soon!