Accident Report/Who said reefing wasn't Dangerous ..(update)

[Dewman]

So, Monday night about 10:30, I was sitting on the floor with a utility knife, whittling away on a piece of PVC elbow that wasn't fitting too well into the space I had made for it.
You know how your mom always said not to cut towards yourself . Well I didn't listen too well evidently because I planted that blade into the palm of my hand and rearranged some tendons while I was in there.

My poor wife was sick in bed with a stomach bug, and every time she moved she would get sick. So I wrapped up my hand and finished fitting the PVC into the sump. (looks great by the way),
Anyhow, I am driving myself to the emergency room and i can feel warmth on my knee. Turns out that I had been bleeding the whole time I was in the car and it had pooled in ,my lap.

Well, I stagger into the ER looking like an accident victim (got me to the front of the line BTW) and got admitted immediately.
Turns out that I severed the tendon to my index finger completely and bisected the tendon to my middle finger. The doc did some pressure tests having me try to squeeze with it, before he numbed me up and went to work.

I was in the ER Operating room for 6.5 hours.
They reconnected the tendon and cut off the little dangley piece on the next one. I got 6 BIG stitches.

Here's a pic

 

[Anonymous]

8O glad that you are OK. You are lucky that was not near the artery a few inches down your palm.

 

[Chubosco]

Wow! Nasty! I recommend a bronze star for the continued work in fitting the PVC into the sump while bleeding profusely with no regard to self. Because of your heroic deed, there was no loss of life that very well may have happened w/o that sump providing a life line to your reef inhabitants. Well done reefer! God speed in healing!

 

[Anonymous]

Ouch. I reccoment keeping that hand out of the tank until it heals. You do not want to get an infection.

 

[Anonymous]

wooo.. been there done that... with a serated kitchen knife as I was cutting a cardboard box UPC symbol.. zoinked right across my thumb.. luckily I didn't hit anything vital, but I had half a dozen stitches too.. looked like Frankenthumb! still have the scar today

 

[Anonymous]

Now you know why I'm dating a paramedic!

Wishin ya a speedy full recovery!

Norm

 

[Anonymous]

>...cutting a cardboard box UPC symbol

Back in the starving student days, wasn't it?

 

[Anonymous]

Ouch. I reccoment keeping that hand out of the tank until it heals. You do not want to get an infection.

This is great advice that needs to be repeated.

 

[Anonymous]

>...cutting a cardboard box UPC symbol

Back in the starving student days, wasn't it?

I needed it for a $100 rebate.... and yes I was a starving student

 

[trido]

I too, know the pain of the dreaded utility knife in the palm. They let me sit in E.R. and bleed for an hour or so. I wish you a quick recovery.

 

[SnowManSnow]

OUCH

keep it clean man.. u dont want that thing infected with anything.

B

 

[pcardone]

God speed in healing, don't re-tear that tendon,next time you need to cut pvc A chopsaw works wonders. WAIT!! dissregard that advice.

 

[cindre2000]

Ouch. I usually use a dremel for all my cutting needs. Feels a little safer, except for my eyes. Just keep your hand out of the tank, don't want to get vibro.

 

[stubbsz]

Keep it out of the tank for sure... but it's bound to get infected anyway. It's hard to keep your hand totally clean. I know from experience that there's nothing like the feeling of striches be removed from an infected cut. I had seven in my hand but my cut was only grazed the tendons. Also, back in england bleeding didn't seem to get me a free pass to the front of the line in ER.

-Adrian

 

[Anonymous]

If you feel the need to be in saltwater, make you a gallon of SW and put your hands in. It may speed the recovery process.

Saltwater is good for wound healing.

 

[Anonymous]

I would sprinkle some salt directly on the wound.... :wink:

Seriously, mild saline solution is good for anti-septic purpose.

 

[Anonymous]

I would sprinkle some salt directly on the wound.... :wink:

Seriously, mild saline solution is good for anti-septic purpose.

STERILE saline

 

[Anonymous]

I hear skimmate makes a great antibacterial wash. :wink:

Have a speedy recovery and I hope your wife feels better too!

 

[Dewman]

Well, I was supposed to go in today to get the stiches out today.
But, yesterday, for the first time, I had noticed some swelling and tenderness around the cut. I wrapped it back up after applying the antibacterial ointment to the dressing.

I woke up this morning with a throbbing swollen hand.
I went in for my appointment a little while ago and he had to drain my hand OUCH!!. It hurt... just alittle bit when he tore it back open again, but it feels TONS better now.

He prescribed me some sort of surgical scrub to use twice a day on it, and also an antibiotic. He wants to see me again on Friday.


JEEEZE!!! This tank is never going to get built!! This has put me behind by 2 weeks now.


Thanks for all the encouragement though

 

[Anonymous]

OW OW OW
((sympathy pains))