Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Avulsion Revulsion

So, we just spent two hours in the emergency room. I was making dinner, using a mandoline, which I totally shouldn't be allowed to use--now we have medical evidence for that assessment. I have a huge bandage on my middle finger (hard to use the "i" key) and my finger may never be the same. We're throwing away the offending mandoline.

I have to tell you I reacted with calm and level-headed thinking. When the dude heard me shout, he asked "do you need to go to the emergency room?"
Me: Yes
Dude: Where do we go?
Me: Bryn Mawr Hospital.
Dude: Do you need an ambulance?
Me: No.
While the dude looked up directions on the internet, I took the pan off the heat and turned off the stove.

When we got to the hospital they asked if I had been there before. I said no, but it turns out I have. I would be indebted to one of my friends if they had a memory of me going to the hospital when I was in college.

I have to say that breaking my index finger didn't slow my stitching down, we'll have to see what lopping off the top of my finger (and a little bit of fingernail) will do to my productivity.

24 comments:

prajantr said...

As a coincidence, and perhaps so you don't feel alone...

I just bought my first mandolin this past Wednesday. Used it. Sliced my pinky finger with it.

Stepped away from the mandolin and succeeded in not bleeding into my food preparations.

You are not alone. :)

Velda said...

oh my gosh you poor woman! I hope you heal quickly!

Aussie Stitcher said...

OUCH!!! Hope it heals quickly and that it doesn't stop you from stitching.

Anonymous said...

OMG ow ow ow. Did I mention eeesh? Well, you convinced me not to get a mandoline. Feel better soon!

Anonymous said...

Yikes! I hope it heals quickly!

I did notice that the Wikipedia page says people sometimes wear metal gloves when using this thing. Hindsight is 20/20.

Kendra said...

Oh my! I'm a bit woozy just reading this! Hopefully your finger heals quickly and it won't affect your day-to-day stuff.

Ouch.

Unknown said...

Wishing you a speedy recovery. I suspect a bandaged middle finger will not slow your stitching down much at all.

Anonymous said...

That's Reason #153 why I don't cook. Did you really lop it off, or is it still there?

I'm so, so, sorry. I must say, though, you exhibited incredible courage.

dd

Cathy said...

Yikes! Ouch.

Adrienne Martini said...

At least you didn't wind up cooking the piece of finger.

I did the same thing to my thumb, also with a mandolin. Still have the scar -- and still use the mandolin, just with great caution and respect.

Edgar said...

Sorry to read about your accident. Heal up fast!!!

Lelia said...

OM! Ouch and a half. Take care.

xeyedmary said...

IICCKK! Ouch!
Sorry to hear of your accident. I hope it heals fast. Ditto to the comment about now I know I'll not be getting a mandoline any time soon. Can you "accidentally" flip the bird at your boss with your bandaged finger?

Anonymous said...

Yeow! I feel all woogy just thinking about it -- I definitely would have freaked out! Good for you with your grace under pressure! Too bad it's the middle finger -- it's so useful for so many things...

mainely stitching said...

A hospital trip from your college days that you don't remember? Sounds like my college days .... ;)

Jenna said...

I'm glad that you were able to keep such a level head about yourself. I've heard that mandolines are incredibly sharp and dangerous. I guess this just proves the point! I hope that you and your finger are feeling better soon and that the tip of your finger isn't gone forever.

Michelle said...

Oh no! I knew those things had to be dangerous! I'll be sure to put on safety gloves if I ever use ours. Hope you heal up nicely (and quickly).

Sharon said...

Ouch! I hope your finger will heal quickly! Thanks for the birthday wishes-42 feels just fine!

Anonymous said...

Oh! Awful!

Kim Ayres said...

I play the mandolin at folk sessions most Wednesday nights. I'll definitely be more careful from now on - thanks for the warning...

Anonymous said...

After your comment I just had to pop over and have a read ... felt like a bit of deja vu to me - we definitely do make a great pair! ;) Hope the surgery goes well :)

Jennifer said...

We have a mandoline. I am not allowed to use it, which is fine by me. Sometimes I open the cabinet we keep it in and it sends a shiver down my spine just looking at it.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

Anonymous said...

You sound like me! I am such a disaster in the kitchen sometimes. And I fall a lot.

Feel better, I am thinking of you!

Anonymous said...

Geez, I just saw this as Barbara mentioned it on a Flickr photo! Yikes! My son also sliced off the top of a finger with the hedge clippers and I had to drive him to the ER. He was a bit luckier than you.
Heal quickly (I better read your other posts).