Remove door handle without lock?

[efm-7]

Good evening folks, I'm currently in the process of doing bodywork on my doors.

I am trying to take the door handle off but I do not have the key that operates the lock. While I can loosen the door handle, the turning rod is preventing me from freeing the door handle.



I was going to take this door handle off along with the other door handle and trunk lock to have them re-keyed by a locksmith to match my ignition key. (The key situation on this car is an absolute mess, the PO obviously got a different ignition assembly with a key)

What are my options? I'm really hoping I don't have to take the whole doors to the locksmith (car is not in a drivable state)