Things I just shouldn't do....

**Warning!** Not for the squeamish!! I never did learn how to put posts "below the fold" though - so just FYI

Think of this as a "what *not* to do kind of lesson... PSA ahead.

So, note to self - when doing a little fix-it project for Mom it's probably best to stick with standard tools... You know... Screwdrivers. Pliers. That sort of thing. But frankly, the standard tools were just not getting 'er done!

So I went out to Pop's shop and spied this little number...

And I thought oh yeah - *that* will do some damage... TO THE CHAIR. I needed to put some hurt on a chair I was working on. Good grief...

So last Sunday I was working on a stool - trying to remove one of those damn wooden button thingys that cover the screw head (so that if need be you can uhhhh - I don't know - tighten the damn screw if need be??) Oh yeah.. And Pop (being Pop) had superglued the damn things into place.

Oh joy...

So with great care and determination - and trying not to fuck up the chair I got busy with that little tool. Made some decent progress too...

Right up until I slipped...

Shit.... SHIT!!

Then the mad dash to not bleed on the carpeting commences while cupping my arm and wiggling my fingers thinking please God please God don't let me have taken out any tendons!!!

So here ya go if you want to see... The day after...


All in all not soooooo bad. Deep? Yes. Hurt like hell? Oh yes... But all of my fingers worked and while it swelled way up and bled like the dickens for two days I figured it would be okay...

Until the following day. That's when it didn't take a medical professional (AKA me) to realize that the stitches were blown and Huston?? We had a problem...

[No pic of this - believe me. You should be relieved...]

So another trip to the ER followed... And you know? It's just never a good thing when the ER attending (who treated you the first time around) takes one look and says "I am going to put in a quick call to Dr. Soandso... The hand specialist. I am sure he can come right over... "

Oh shit.

So he did. And this guy looked me in the eye and basically told me how very damn lucky I was. I just missed the median nerve - in fact he said he was absolutely amazed that I managed to miss it... Good grief. And that was the nice part. After that, he removed the stitches (why does that have to hurt so damn bad!?!?) and then proceeded to reopen the wound to "clean it out" (oh holy motherofgod!!!) And reclose it.

Thanks for playing! Here's your compression bandage! Keep it elevated!


But it did look better after a day of Mom bird doggin' me and making me elevate it and keep still, no?

And today? Well lets just say that it aches like hell and I am matching my outfits to the bruise... Might as well, eh?


And hell - you can always learn something, right? As the ER nurse said, "Hey - well if you ever decide to slit your wrists you know just what tool to use right?!?!"

Word. No kidding... Can't imagine the damage one could do if one were trying... Yeesh.

So take note - watch out for wicked sharp tools and play safe out there! :) I am going to go elevate my arm. Again.

Because it's pretty...

:)

A tale of carnage to follow soon... Oh yes - I am sooooo coordinated... NOT. ;)

Godspeed Pop...

It is finished. And my father is finally at rest. I was truly blessed to be with my Mother at his bedside as he crossed over as well as for the weeks prior... He was truly a warrior. And I am fortunate to have learned so very much from him. People have often asked me, "Rich - how are you holding up?" And all I have to say is...

"I am my father's daughter..."

And nothing more needs to be said. He raised us to be tough as well as compassionate. To be ever helpful but not to suffer fools lightly or allow others to take advantage...

I am lucky.

Godspeed Dad. And I hope the golf is as good as the fishing is bound to be in heaven.

Martin Anderson Oct. 1946 - May 2010

I will miss you...