Thursday noon time. I had finished cleaning the house and making treats for an achievement day party at our house later. I was standing at the sink, washing a bowl, thinking I needed to go get my cell phone charged up. (I was going to testify in court by phone for one of my cases.)
That is when disaster struck. The bowl I was washing slipped from my fingers, cracked right in half, and fell on my wrist; slashing it open.
I immidiatley grabbed the towel nearby applied pressure and started thinking quickly. My first thought was "I could die. Is this it?" I had seen how deep the gash was; I knew I had to have hit something important by how it was gushing and pulsing blood.
Did I mention I was alone with Ava and Corrine?
I didn't know whether to call 911 or not. I didn't want to faint and bleed out in front of my girlies. I assessed myself; I wasn't dizzy and as long as I kept firm pressure, it was still bleeding but contained.
I calmed terrified Ava, and called Jason to come home. I also called a wonderful friend who came right over to get my girls. She stayed with me until Jason got home. At this point, I think I was in shock, because I was apologizing to Shaeleen about my messy house! I was walking around, getting things she would need for the baby, holding my wrist tight. I even called work to tell them to call and say I couldn't testify.
It was so cute; Ava was so scared, so I asked her to say a prayer. She said, in a shaky voice : Heavenly Father, we are thankful for this day.... so funny. I wasn't feeling exactly thankful!
Jason took me to an immediate care place first, we didn't know how bad it was. After looking at it, they sent us to the ER. Jason caught sight of the wound before we left, and almost fainted. Literately. From then on, I repeatedly instructed him not to look. In the car ride to the ER, I had him talk to me about work to take his mind off it!
Once at the ER, they gave me morphine and all was right with the world! The ER doc looked at it, (after a VERY painful numbing procedure) and said I needed a hand surgeon.
Which meant, of course, surgery.
They actually got me up to surgery fairly quickly. I was totally unconcerned, even when they couldn't find Jason and I was transported alone. Yeah morphine!
Jason managed to find me before I went in, and the next thing I knew, I was trying SO hard to wake up like the nurse told me to, and feeling pukey because of the anesthesia. I asked how long I had been in surgery, and I couldn't believe her response.
THREE HOURS!!!!!???????
It turned out that I had cut one tendon, severed another tendon, and cut an artery. The tendon I severed had recoiled up to my elbow, so he had to make another incision and fish it back down. Three layers of stitches. Don't ask how many; I forgot to ask. I am going to ask at my appointment on Thur.
They wrapped the whole thing up with instructions not to use my hand (my right hand) at all. I am wearing a sling, and will have a permanent splint put on this week. I will have to do physical therapy when that comes off.
I won't have the use of my right hand for a month. I can't do my hair, can't cook, clean, you get the idea!
My neighbors and ward members have been amazing; I have dinners being brought in, people have offered help during the day ( I can't change Corrine's poopies!) and have come to visit me and bring flowers. My mom took two days off from work to help me and do things I can't . My dad brought some soup. The kindness and service offered by others has brought tears to my eyes.
I am taking this week off work; I still am foggy and get tired very quickly.
I can't tell you how long it took me to type this! So you can probably expect short posts for a while!
Moral of the story: Be careful when washing big ceramic bowls!

8 comments:
Yikes! That sounds painful and NOT
fun at all. I Wish we could be there to help you. I'm glad you have family, friends and good ward members near by. We'll be praying for a speedy recovery. Who would have ever thought one ceramic bowl could do so much damage? You are a trooper! Hang in there.
Wow, I am SO glad you are alright and were able to keep a clear head through the whole experience! I wish I could be of more help right now. I am very impressed with how well you handled the entire ordeal!
I'm so glad that everything will eventually be okay. That is a huge bowl.
YIKES...you have quite the story. I don't even want to try that one. Lunch was fun today!
Holy Cow! That is horrible. I'm so sorry that you had to go through so much pain. Ouch! Thank goodness for family and good friends. Good luck...
I am sorry Gina. Glad everyone is helping so much, but I am sorry for all the inconvenience from just washing the dishes. I hope you recover quickly.
I LOVED having your girls over. I can't get over how sweet Corrine is and so much fun to just watch. I miss the stage that she is in right now. It is one of my favorites! So glad you are feeling better and adjusting with one hand. You are amazing and so positive about it all!
That is horrible. I had to go to the ER for washing dishes too. Not as bad as you, I cut a flap of skin almost all the way off and they had to sew it back on, I think I had 11 stitches or something. Another reason that dishes are bad.
Post a Comment