Drama of the Week

-
 Tuesday afternoon (election day), I was trying to do a craft with the big kids (babies were napping). A "family project" Seth brought home from school. I was packing up the craft doodads we didn't need, and Seth said something to me. I looked over and this is what I see (not the blueness and swelling - the picture was taken about an hour after it got stuck):


He can't get the thing off. (I tried cooking oil, soap, and icing his finger.) No luck.
  1. Called my mom. Mom suggested the above attempts.
  2. Called Rob. Rob says, "use my chisel and hammer". Tried. Couldn't get a good aim at the thing without aiming at his finger!
  3. So, "Momma called the doctor and the doctor said..." bring him in. 
The nurse wanted me to bring him in right away (like his finger would fall off if I didn't?) I said, when the babies wake up I'll bring him in. I'm sure she thought I was a weirdo for not freaking out. He could wait. 

Then I took the above picture and emailed it to a few that I thought might have an idea (to save me the copay of taking him in). Rob IM'ed me  - coming home. What's the doctor going to do??

So, while he wiggled his finger to keep it awake (since it was starting to turn colors), I kept him from crying by continuing with the craft (distraction is one of the best medicines for kids!)

Rob got home, got the chisel and hammer, and 30 seconds later:

I helped hold the hand upright against the work bench edge to keep the fingers free of the tools. (I guess that would make me the assistant nurse) :) (and obviously he didn't aim at the finger)

Seth's thoughts on the situation: I'm so glad my finger is free.

(Me too...NOW DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!)

Comments

Libbi said…
just so you know, it really was an emergency...as the swelling continued and blood supply was cut off (turning blue = no oxygen, no oxygen=no glucose, no glucose=no energy which = cellular necrosis-death), the tissue and NERVES would have died and he truly would have lost his finger at worst or use of that finger at best...and the time frame differs for each individual but it can go from bad to disaster in seconds...so it was an emergency and I am glad Rob saved the day...I always knew he was a hero!!!!!
November 6, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Beth & Rob Bailey said…
Yes, I know blue => bad...but it wasn't turning blue and swelling til I'd messed with it for like 30 minutes and then waited another 30 (and we made him wiggle it continuously while we waited for Rob to get home to make sure it stayed "alive").
I told Rob he had 5 minutes to try then I was taking him in. :)
November 6, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Joe and Tammy said…
i got a ring stuck on my finger once and i remembered seeing something on the today show (i think) about wrapping your finger with dental floss. it acts as sort of a "girdle" to slide the ring off. it takes a bunch of floss (all you should see is floss--not skin). it took a while, and hurt a little, but it worked.
November 6, 2008 at 7:46 PM
Jean said…
I would have been freaking about what to do...glad you were calm. My kids would have been crying and then Jeff would have come home and saved the day like Rob did...good job, Rob! You are the hero of the day and I am glad that Seth's finger is free with no permanent damage! The things kids do.....!
November 7, 2008 at 3:20 PM
kim e said…
Oh, it just makes me sick to even look at that spool around his finger. I am glad it is off!
November 9, 2008 at 8:38 PM

Post a Comment