Feeling dumb

[Karlynn]

It took almost 16 years, but I had my first cut that required intervention - sort of.

I was loading the dishwasher and a paring knife fell out and on to the top of my foot, point first. I went "ouch", looked down, to see a fountain of blood squirting out of the top of my foot. Applied pressure with my thumb, scooted on the floor to a kitchen chair. I put my foot up on the table and took my thumb off to see if it was bleeding as fast as I thought. Yup. Stuck my thumb back on, applied pressure and called my friend next door to come help me out. She and her husband both came over. I said "Lets see if it's still bleeding as quickly." Yup. They said "Let's take you to the ER." But how do I get in the car with my foot up, thumb on the wound, drive to the ER, get out etc. So I called 911. They arrived in 5 minutes, said "Let's see how bad you're bleeding." Took my thumb off - no bleeding. It did start to bleed again when one of the EMT's touched it, so they suggested they go ahead and take me in to get a stitch put in it.

So that's what I did. It took all of 1 hour from knife jab to returning home. The doctor said that she's not surprised that it bled a lot initially and would have even had I not been on Coumadin, because I was standing on the foot and the pressure would have been like turning on a garden hose sprayer that already had the water on at the base. She said the knife landed in the perfect spot for a lot of blood to come out. 1/4 inch to the right or left - no big deal. She said I was better off getting a stitch in it so I wasn't risking opening it up again and having to deal with the bleeding. So I did. It's fine and I'm feeling dumb.

I've sliced fingers and knuckles before that have bled a lot but stopped with pressure, but it was the way that the blood instantly arced out that scared me a bit.

Glenn thinks this is absolutely hilarious and got out a magnifying glass to look at the wound. My neighbors had already mopped up the 5" puddle of blood, so I'm sure he's thinking I was just being overly reactive.

But I do feel stupid. I asked the doctor to please give me an order for no house work for a month.

 

[geebee]

I think this qualifies for at least 6 weeks free of housework.

At least you were smart enough to get a stich. I didn't with my finger and have a nice scar to show for it. Glad things turned out well and you are now being pampered - right, Glenn?

Once every 15 years or so - it's bound to happen.

 

[Phyllis]

Glad it's a happy ending, Karlynn. I think Glenn owes you at least a week of no housework and no meals to cook!

 

[Bina]

I agree......2 weeks of rest with the foot up. I hear that eating chocolate cake helps with the healing process.
Glad you are o.k.

 

[bvdr]

Karlynn, years ago one of my sons stepped on a small board with a nail in it and came hopping home with the board attached. He was pretty close to passing out and asked us to please get him to the ER. I said we had to first see if we could get the board pulled off. We got it off fine and took his shoe to see how bad it was. It hadn't punctured his skin. It has been at least 20 years ago and it still is a family joke. Your's wasn't quite so bad so maybe you'll only hear about it for the next 10. I'm glad you are OK though!

 

[aussigal]

I agree with Bina's suggestions...Chocolate is very good for healing. ...and definately time off the housework with your foot elevated.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Those pesky feet. Gravity is an amazing thing! I once stepped on an old fashioned pull tab from a soda can and sliced the bottom of my little toe. I was a kid so didn't know to elevate it. I stood there in the doorway of the 7-11 while my friend bought our popsicles and bled all over their mat. I then rode my bike home, bleeding and dripping all the way. I got home, put a band-aid on it, put my sock and shoe on, and at some point it stopped bleeding. I didn't tell my mom about it because we didn't have permission to ride our bikes the 6 blocks to the store. I wasn't on Coumadin, so I can imagine how yours bled.

Definitely requires a month with no housework, relaxing with your feet up, while your husband fans you and feeds you grapes (or chocolate).

 

[RCB]

Don't worry about it.

Don't worry about it.

When I was a little kid, I run a pitch fork throught my foot and had to go to the ER to get the bleeding stopped. I wasn't even on warfarin at the time.

Remember these immortal words:
"S--t happens" - F. Gump

 

[Ross]

Well now, I guess we'll have to take all sharp objects away from you now. I'm shocked that you'd intentionally throw a paring knife into your foot. I know house work sucks, but there are easier ways of getting out of it.

 

[RCB]

Really?

Really?

I know house work sucks, but there are easier ways of getting out of it.

Pray tell, how?

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hmmm....

Were you BARE FOOT?

Be careful, don't get Pregnant!

'Al Capshaw'

 

[Karlynn]

Well now, I guess we'll have to take all sharp objects away from you now. I'm shocked that you'd intentionally throw a paring knife into your foot. I know house work sucks, but there are easier ways of getting out of it.

Interestingly enough - the 911 operator asked me if it was accidental or intentional.

 

[Bina]

Interestingly enough - the 911 operator asked me if it was accidental or intentional.

Weird.
Nobody intentionally stabs themself in the foot.....hand, arm, neck, face, maybe....foot: I doubt it.

 

[catwoman]

Karlynn:

Glad that you're OK now and have a 6-week vacation from housework .

Don't believe any of us will bleed "to death," at least any more than we would otherwise. Being on warfarin just puts a little more adrenalin into our body to hurry up and get the bleeding stopped!!

 

[Randy & Robyn]

If it makes you feel any better, Karlynn, I also had a "I can't believe I just did that" moments a few weeks ago.

I was spraying herbicide, had my head down watching what I was doing, and BAM!!! walked right into our elevated deck, cracking my head wide open. Blood starts pouring down my face instantly. Of course, Robyn wasn't home so I wrapped a towel around my head and headed for the ER.

I received three stitches and a precautionary cat scan for my trouble.

In my case at least, stupid is as stupid does.

Randy

 

[Karlynn]

Randy - yes it does make me feel better. But I'm also sorry you cracked your head like that. I'm sure you freaked out a bit. Facial and head wounds really bleed like crazy and often look much more severe then they are. I'm glad you got the CT to rule out any intercranial bleeding. Wood and cement are not to forgiving.

My husband just looks at the little tiny stitch on my foot and laughs. In my defense, it is right on the vein that crosses the top of my arch and sticks out a bit.

 

[Guest]

You forgot one of the most basic facts of medicine. Bleeding always stops!

 

[Karlynn]

You forgot one of the most basic facts of medicine. Bleeding always stops!

I was just wondering when. I think the one fact of medicine is: call the paramedics and the bleeding will stop. I checked the wound 3 times before calling and it was still pumping out pretty good. I knew I'd need a stitch to keep it from opening up repeatedly. My 120 lb dog stepped on it tonight - so I'm glad my little humiliating stitch was there!

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Karlynn, I guess that your rule goes along with the rule that I've noticed. After feeling like $*** for a week, make a doctor's appointment, drive across town in rush hour traffic, pay for the office visit, sit in the waiting room for 1 hour, see the doctor for 5 minutes, and you will be well. No treatment necessary.

 

[Karlynn]

Karlynn, I guess that your rule goes along with the rule that I've noticed. After feeling like $*** for a week, make a doctor's appointment, drive across town in rush hour traffic, pay for the office visit, sit in the waiting room for 1 hour, see the doctor for 5 minutes, and you will be well. No treatment necessary.

EXACTLY!!!!!