I was working along this afternoon, things going well. Crawled under a dinning table to adjust the aprons and slides. Lost my balance and toppled over backwards on my right hand onto a freshly cut maple clamping block. Very sharp edges. Six hours later I am back from the ER with ten stitches in the fleshy area below my right thumb. Must say it is as nice a ninety degree tear about inch and a half in each direction as could be done with a scalpel The lidocaine they injected so they could clean and sew is just beginning to wear off. Not as bad as I thought it might be. But may have to take a few days off.
I must say that I so truly admire anyone that works in an ER. I seem to know a lot more than I would want to with things that happened with my parents but it was all brought home again today. Such empathy, good will and smiles made it much easier to have to wait several hours. The wound looked so good when I left that I had to tell the doctor that did it that it was a work of art. He laughed and said that they had few patients like me. I spent a lot of time remembering to breath. In....... and out.
You never know do you?
Matthew
You never know, do you?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Matthew,
Ain't it the truth! We are tough, and yet we are fragile. One slip, and our schedule is suddenly drastically rearranged. At times like that, we suddenly forget how much we dislike going to the hospital, and we're just glad it's there, and open for business.
When I broke an arm a couple of years ago, it was easy to forget that less than 6 months before, I had sworn that I would never go back to that hospital. I guess that means that "never" is less than 6 months. LOL. Who wouda thunk it.
I'm glad the wound wasn't in a more vital area, but it will certainly curtail your ability to work with your hands, probably for more than just a few days.
I hope it heals quickly, and without complications,
Tex
Ain't it the truth! We are tough, and yet we are fragile. One slip, and our schedule is suddenly drastically rearranged. At times like that, we suddenly forget how much we dislike going to the hospital, and we're just glad it's there, and open for business.
When I broke an arm a couple of years ago, it was easy to forget that less than 6 months before, I had sworn that I would never go back to that hospital. I guess that means that "never" is less than 6 months. LOL. Who wouda thunk it.
I'm glad the wound wasn't in a more vital area, but it will certainly curtail your ability to work with your hands, probably for more than just a few days.
I hope it heals quickly, and without complications,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
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- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Morning Matthew,
So sorry to hear about the spill, injury and the trip to the ER. Glad to hear that your spirits are up and that you complimented the ER personnel. They have a horrendous job and not enough people take the time to let them know how appreciated they are.
Take care and don't overdo it on the hand.
Love, Maggie
So sorry to hear about the spill, injury and the trip to the ER. Glad to hear that your spirits are up and that you complimented the ER personnel. They have a horrendous job and not enough people take the time to let them know how appreciated they are.
Take care and don't overdo it on the hand.
Love, Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
Matthew,
How frustrating to hurt your hand, especially in your business. I was sitting here feeling sorry for myself because of a small accident I had Sunday. I just needed to cut a replacement door for a bird nest box. The guard wasn't on the table saw, but it was just one cut...kicked back into my left hand. Pretty ugly, but not broken. Hurt at work yesterday.
I hope you can use your hand soon. Are you right handed?
Love, Jean
How frustrating to hurt your hand, especially in your business. I was sitting here feeling sorry for myself because of a small accident I had Sunday. I just needed to cut a replacement door for a bird nest box. The guard wasn't on the table saw, but it was just one cut...kicked back into my left hand. Pretty ugly, but not broken. Hurt at work yesterday.
I hope you can use your hand soon. Are you right handed?
Love, Jean
Good Mornin' Matthew!
Well, that sure is a bummer.
First you were melting, and now you are injured. What a summer! 
I'm happy to hear that you had a good trip to the ER - and I can appreciate your description of the cut itself. It was probably very easy for the doc to stitch it up.....and it should heal nicely. It may help reduce the swelling and pain if you can keep the hand elevated above heart level for a few days as much as possible. That was so nice of you to compliment the staff. It rarely happens in the ER because of all of the shock, stress and anxiety that patients are experiencing. I'm sure you made their day!
Here's hoping the hand heals quickly!
Love,
Polly
Well, that sure is a bummer.
First you were melting, and now you are injured. What a summer! I'm happy to hear that you had a good trip to the ER - and I can appreciate your description of the cut itself. It was probably very easy for the doc to stitch it up.....and it should heal nicely. It may help reduce the swelling and pain if you can keep the hand elevated above heart level for a few days as much as possible. That was so nice of you to compliment the staff. It rarely happens in the ER because of all of the shock, stress and anxiety that patients are experiencing. I'm sure you made their day! Here's hoping the hand heals quickly!
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
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moremuscle
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 706
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:16 am
- Location: South Carolina
Oh Matthew 
I know, you never know - surprises always come unexpected. I am sorry you had to encounter this accident not to mention the long wait in the ER and having all the flash backs to the time with your parents there. I am sure you had to use your breathing techniques in order to stay grounded under the circumstances - and it appears you did just that.
I wish I could have been there to hold your hand - the other one!!
I virtually fall in love with my doctors and anestesiologists (sp?) when I am having surgery - I have had two C-sections and of course the beloved colonoscopy and endoscopy recently. You so depend on them and they fortunately appear very confident and capable of doing just what we want from them; pain free surgery done with absolute focus by someone experienced and knowledgable in his/her field. When you need a doctor there is nothing like getting attention from one
I wish you speedy recovery.
Love,
Karen
I know, you never know - surprises always come unexpected. I am sorry you had to encounter this accident not to mention the long wait in the ER and having all the flash backs to the time with your parents there. I am sure you had to use your breathing techniques in order to stay grounded under the circumstances - and it appears you did just that.
I wish I could have been there to hold your hand - the other one!!
I virtually fall in love with my doctors and anestesiologists (sp?) when I am having surgery - I have had two C-sections and of course the beloved colonoscopy and endoscopy recently. You so depend on them and they fortunately appear very confident and capable of doing just what we want from them; pain free surgery done with absolute focus by someone experienced and knowledgable in his/her field. When you need a doctor there is nothing like getting attention from one
I wish you speedy recovery.
Love,
Karen
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barbaranoela
- Emperor Penguin
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and 
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kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1321
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
- Location: Vermont
OW! I too hope that hand heals quickly. I'm sure it will with the quick attention you got for it (as opposed to just bandaging and letting it heal...I know ERs aren't the fastest places in the world).
My last ER experience (and almost only one...I guess I've had 3 or 4 others in my life) was good too. The nurse who was assigned to me happens to be in my Community Band! I had played on a parade float with her 4 days before I landed there. I think she was in as much shock as I was...maybe more, because she kept saying "she looked fine on Saturday". And menstrual bleeding, which was my problem isn't supposed to drain you of blood that fast! But she was very attentive, and took good care of me.
Katy
My last ER experience (and almost only one...I guess I've had 3 or 4 others in my life) was good too. The nurse who was assigned to me happens to be in my Community Band! I had played on a parade float with her 4 days before I landed there. I think she was in as much shock as I was...maybe more, because she kept saying "she looked fine on Saturday". And menstrual bleeding, which was my problem isn't supposed to drain you of blood that fast! But she was very attentive, and took good care of me.
Katy
Oh, good grief, Matthew! Yes, life comes at you suddenly sometimes, doesn't it? (I think that is a commercial.)
I'm glad to hear that you were able to keep it together (you, not necessarily your hand) and even compliment the ER staff. You are one tough and kind old bird.
I hope it heals quickly and that you can get back under that dining room table soon.
Love,
Sally
I'm glad to hear that you were able to keep it together (you, not necessarily your hand) and even compliment the ER staff. You are one tough and kind old bird.
I hope it heals quickly and that you can get back under that dining room table soon.
Love,
Sally
Mitakuye oyasin
(Lakota for "We are all related")
(Lakota for "We are all related")
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annie oakley
- King Penguin
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- Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 5:56 pm
Matthew....I hope that you heal quickly....I always hate cuts cause you have to keep them dry with stitches. I am amazed every day that I don't have as many stitches , cuts and bruises as I should have the way my balance is screwed up. Get better soon. Love Oma 
May I be more compassionate and loving than yeterday*and be able to spot the idiots in advance
EEEEEEOOOOOUCH! OMG, my hand hurts just thinking about it. 
Sounds like a pretty good cut and took quite a few stitches to close it up! I am sorry and hope you heal quickly.
You had the nicest things to say about the ER! Don't hear that very often!
Glad they took good care of you!
Lori
Sounds like a pretty good cut and took quite a few stitches to close it up! I am sorry and hope you heal quickly.You had the nicest things to say about the ER! Don't hear that very often!
Glad they took good care of you!
Lori
"The manner of giving is worth more than the gift." ~ PIERRE CORNEILLE
Thanks one and all-
Mars aid it best.....Ouch
Wayne- Your right , nothing like an injury to suddenly realize how fragile we are. The lidocane wore off in the middle of the night and was awake for a while. Was thinking of the horrendous injuries I have read about in past wars when they did not have the pain killers we have today. They must have been a lot tougher then.
Jean- Glad to hear that the kick back on the table saw was not worse than it was. Many have lost fingers that way. Guards are so poorly designed that they are almost never used. Just for my sake take a look around the internet for a usable guard or at least a splitter for ripping. The birds will be happier if you have all your fingers.
Polly- I made a sling to keep my hand elevated while out and about today. No doubt it feels better elevated. I feel very conspicuous with it on but so what if I can heal faster.
Peg and Sally -Thought many times today that you can be fine one second and majorly screwed up the next. Really makes me appreciate feeling good. Would like to think that I might be a tender old bird. I have cooked long enough.
Barbara- It’s been a long time since I have been under the table and really consider it last night since I pass a liquor store on the way home but thought discretion might be the better part of valor.
Karen- Consider my hand held. The good one. Not the bloody one My revelation in the ER was that meditation is kind of holding your own hand.
The really good news is that my hand feels much better and my digestion has not be affected and still feel great gut wise. Was pleased to hear them tell me that I would not need an antibiotic. Following the wound management sheet to the letter to make sure I won’t need one.
Matthew
Mars aid it best.....Ouch
Wayne- Your right , nothing like an injury to suddenly realize how fragile we are. The lidocane wore off in the middle of the night and was awake for a while. Was thinking of the horrendous injuries I have read about in past wars when they did not have the pain killers we have today. They must have been a lot tougher then.
Jean- Glad to hear that the kick back on the table saw was not worse than it was. Many have lost fingers that way. Guards are so poorly designed that they are almost never used. Just for my sake take a look around the internet for a usable guard or at least a splitter for ripping. The birds will be happier if you have all your fingers.
Polly- I made a sling to keep my hand elevated while out and about today. No doubt it feels better elevated. I feel very conspicuous with it on but so what if I can heal faster.
Peg and Sally -Thought many times today that you can be fine one second and majorly screwed up the next. Really makes me appreciate feeling good. Would like to think that I might be a tender old bird. I have cooked long enough.
Barbara- It’s been a long time since I have been under the table and really consider it last night since I pass a liquor store on the way home but thought discretion might be the better part of valor.
Karen- Consider my hand held. The good one. Not the bloody one My revelation in the ER was that meditation is kind of holding your own hand.
The really good news is that my hand feels much better and my digestion has not be affected and still feel great gut wise. Was pleased to hear them tell me that I would not need an antibiotic. Following the wound management sheet to the letter to make sure I won’t need one.
Matthew