I"ll try to get a photo tomorrow-if I can find the piece--it was a short piece of 2x4 about 6 inches long and was ripping the 3 1/2 down to 3 1/16 using the rip fence (fence is dead on the money) was pushing the piece thru with hand draped over the fence
Feel better. As a woodworker I really understand. I got hit a couple of times. After the last I went and bought a welders apron at HF to prevent a puncture in the torso.
Even if your fence is on the money, sometimes the piece releases pent up forces and springs, either inward or outward.
you are very lucky, you were not knocked out and drop to the table and get cut by the blade.
I have a gripper, and also made a whole set of push blocks. I like the type that I can bear down on in case I feel a lift. If I do, then I hit the shutoff. It's not a sure way to avoid the kickback, but it's an option. I don't use a guard like most of us. Some of them would have prevented it from flying up, most wouldn't , they would just deflect it.
Even a Saw Stop would not have prevented that kick back.
Hope your recovery is fast, and painless. I think you will feel numb for a year or two, and might always have a fuzzy feeling around there. Hopefully not.. Good luck.