While I was a surgeon, I don’t think I ever cut myself in the OR, but I not infrequently cut myself in the kitchen. Generally not too bad and pressure and a well placed band aid or two are enough. With one cut, I should have gone to get it sutured (and knew it) but decided not to. I ended up with having to have it area cauterized (which is no fun). So I learned a “bit” of a lesson.
Monday night I was trying to clean up the kitchen after a long day of painting while preparing 3 different dishes on the stove and lost track of one of the knives. I generally, wash and rinse knives without leaving them in the sink to prevent exactly what happened. The sharp knife I use the most was laid in the rinse sink. I didn’t see it (as it was on end with sharp side up) until I had sliced my right index finger very near the nail. I knew it was a deep cut and I should go get stitches but….
After my last misadventure, I went to CVS to improve our first aid supplies and I saw this kit. I wasn’t exactly sure what it was but thought it might be worth the $18. Fortunately, after I cut myself Monday, I remembered this kit. Opening it and reading the instructions while keeping pressure on the finger tip was a bit tricky. Fortunately Craig was here to help. Between his big fingers on the little pieces for wound closure and the rapid bleeding it was almost comical. We got one to stick enough; the second in place (sort of) and then quickly wrapped it with paper tape to help keep it from bleeding. I tried not to wrap it tight enough to cut off blood supply to the finger. The tape seemed to stop the bleeding.
I then dished up dinner and we ate and watched football. There were no signs of bleeding and while I could feel pressure from the tape, I did not have pain. After going to bed, the finger started throbbing so I knew I needed to release some of the pressure. I took off the top layer of tape and was relieved when there was no bleeding.
The next morning, I knew I needed to see what was going on under the tape and likely get stitches so I went to a Vanderbilt Walk-In Clinic after I finished my work at Tools for Schools. They had be soak off the dressing and I told the nurse I was worried that it would really bleed when the dressing came off. After it soaked awhile, there was no indication that it was going to “soak off” so I gingerly started to unravel the tape.
As I got closer and closer, relieving all of the pressure, I noted there was no bleeding. When I took off the bandage the little things to secure the edges of the wound came off as well. Much to my amazement and the physician who came in, the wound was completely sealed and in fact it was a bit hard to see the actual cut. She soaked in antibiotic solution and but a liquid bandage on it.
This picture is 48 hours after the injury. Yesterday (4 days after the injury), I caulked and painted and used the finger as I normally would and the wound is almost not noticeable today.
I thought I would not be able to practice my bass guitar for a week or so, but I will get started tomorrow.
I highly recommend having one of these kits in every home.
I am still amazed by this.
Tamara Unleashed 