Thumbs, are they really that important?

So I went to the doctor yesterday to see what's up with my thumb. I was doing yardwork Sunday afternoon, and I remember whacking it really hard on something, but was busy and didn't stop. It started bothering me that evening but not enough to warrant me taking medicine or me even remotely thinking I needed to go to the doctor. For those of you who don't know, I don't take medicine unless it is absolutely necessary. I don't know where this came from but I just think if I can handle the pain I will unless it gets too worrysome. Of course it continued to hurt and I noticed I wasn't using it. Jody finally convinced me to go to the doctor Tuesday night after I had to take some tylenol because it really was hurting a lot and he even convinved me to put ice on it because it was still really swollen. So I made an appointment fo Wednesday afternoon so Jody could watch the girls and I could go by myself! The doctor immediately said he thought it was broken and I was shocked??? He put this "thumb splint" on it, which now I look like I broke my wrist or arm. He sent me to x-ray where they of course made me put my thumb in many hurtful positions to get some pictures. After my x-rays I was told the doctor would get back to me either last night or right away this morning, so I wait. I guess he was worried because I took so long to go to the doctor and I may have to go to an orthopedic doctor. I am hoping he was wrong about the break and I just whacked it really good. Either way I have to keep this arm thing on, length of time dependant on the x-ray results :-( I now believe thumbs are very important and I can't live without mine!