I will keep exercising my hand and yes, I think yes, I have been doing the "death grip." I found it easy to do chords with using my thumb as suggested, but it took a whole lot of arm strength.
As for the suggestion to check out Jamie on guitar principals, thanks, I did, but that wasn't so helpful. She talks on and on for a very long time without getting to a point, so think I will just stick with guitar tricks suggestions.