Trip to Childrens Hospital Emergency Room

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   katiem2posted 13 years ago

   Late yesterday afternoon my 12 year old was sewing her Christmas stocking and ran the sewing machine up her finger making a few through the finger stiches before she realized it.  She let out a scream and I was in horror to find her hand attached to the machine with thread and needle hanging on.
   
   Anyway we made it to the hospital where they removed the thread and needle.  She is in a lot of pain and yet expected to be okay.
   
   I was wondering if anyone has had such an experience and what I should expect from the healing process, or anything to avoid, do or other to help her along?
   
   Thanks

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      prettydarkhorseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, she must be in pain. Accidents do happen and we can't do anything at times, just remind her to be careful always. (moms always do that anyway)
      
      I hope the wound will heal fast. Can she go to school?

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         katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yes she went to school today, the worst part about this is today the honor students are going bowling as a reward for their good grades.   She will have to set that part out and enjoy the company of friends.  I felt so bad and of course blamed myself, I pulled the plug on the machine as fast as I could.   Whew, I had nightmares about it last night.
         
         Thanks for your kind words prettydarkhorse, great to hear from you

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            prettydarkhorseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Hope she is getting better and a smart kid like her mom of course. Take care and don't worry too much.

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               katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

               She is feeling much better this morning.  Thanks

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      Ivorwenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Oh my!  My dad always warned me that such could happen, but I never believed him, at least not with a modern machine.
      
      As to it healing, what did the doctors say?  I know with puncher wounds, they usually want to see them heal from the inside out, to make sure nothing gets trapped in there.  I know when I had a bad injury, my doctor recommended using campho phenique while it healed.

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         katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, for the tip.
         
         I was shocked it happened but I guess it can and her little finger was sucked right up with the fabric.  Oh my I will be very careful to watch over her if she does sew again...

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      Sunnyglitterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Ouch!  It hurts just thinking about it.  I hope she's doing okay.

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         katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks sunnyglitter, she's feeling much less freaked out about it today. 

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   adrienne2posted 13 years ago

   OMG, I cant even imagine the alarm you must felt when you saw this.  The poor darling, with wounds like this the important thing is make sure to keep it clean daily to keep clear of not getting infected.

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      katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I will, I'm thinking I'll soak it as soon as she gets home and put clean badages on it.  Thanks for the advice.

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   SomewayOuttaHereposted 13 years ago

   ...ouch!...yor poor daughter....

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      katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks

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   Daniel Carterposted 13 years ago

   OUCH!! So sorry to hear about this. When I was 5, I got my right index finger cut off. (Actually, so did my brother--at the same time!) That's a grim prognosis for a musician. But I handled it, and it's fine. In time it has become a funny story. After the pain subsides, and the finger limbers up again, I hope she can get more from the experience than all the trauma. Writing the story out as an adult was therapeutic for me, but it takes time to get to that point.
   
   Hope she mends quickly.

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      katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Daniel, and I appreciate you sharing your story, I'm feeling better and less guilt, things do happen. 

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      Urbane Chaosposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I have a good buddy of mine that plays bass that lost an index finger and a pinkie finger from a motorcycle accident.  He plays a lot of gigs in Tulsa, and never once has anyone noticed that he's missing fingers.  He's proof that no matter what happens, if one is determined enough, one can succeed at anything.

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         katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for the story, it's very encouraging. 

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   Urbane Chaosposted 13 years ago

   Katie, I do hope your dear daughter heals soon.  That's exactly why I don't sew - that, and I have absolutely no talent for it.  Wish her the best from all of us..
   
   Btw,It's awesome that you spend enough time with your daughter to teach her how to sew.. It seems that a lot of parents now days don't take enough time for their kids.  Kudos to you!

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      katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Sewing is something she's been interested in and so I try.  I'm like you not very good at it nor do I like it.  But I can do it safely to spite the accident yesterday.
      
      I can't tell you how many times she said, "I'll never sew again"  I won't be making her either, if she chooses to fine if not OKAY with that too!
      
      Thanks Again,

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   Hestia DeVotoposted 13 years ago

   One of my best friends in junior high sewed one of her fingers the very first day of Home Economics class.  And somehow, out of my circle of friends, we all felt it not surprising that she was the one who did it.
   
   Your daughter's fingernail might or might not fall off, depending on how it was injured, but that part doesn't hurt.  It just looks funny for a while.  I had it happen once from slamming my finger in a door.
   
   There are types of feet for sewing machines that guard better against that sort of thing, so you might look into that.  Also, tell her that sewing slowly on a machine is safer than faster.  I've had a few close calls sewing myself and it was usually from zooming along too fast.

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   Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

   I hope your daughter will get back in the saddle so (or sew) to speak.
   I'm so impressed that you thought to unplug the sewing machine! That takes presence of mind, for sure!
   And somehow, I had visions of you schlepping your daughter with the machine still attached to the ER!!!
   
   As to post-injury care, keep the wound clean and free of infection. Because this is the index finger of her dominant hand, it will no doubt get extra wear-and-tear.
   Change the dressing at least once a day, wash with soap and water and apply ointment like Neosporin (which also helps keep the wound dry).
   
   Good luck! And one thing's for sure -- whenever your daughter looks at that stocking in future years she will have a great story to tell about it!

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      katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly that stocking has a war story and thanks for the advice on caring for the wound. 

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   jenniferainposted 13 years ago

   I feel terrible even thinking about that. Goodness gracious. I hope she makes a quick recovery.

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      katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you i picked her up after school and she was in pain, to be expected.  We got home cleaned it up and put a clean bandage on!  Maybe taking a dose of tylenol if the pain gets worse.  Thanks

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   IzzyMposted 13 years ago

   At her age it'll probably heal completely and quite soon. Horrible experience all the same. As someone pointed out, the most importance thing now is to keep the wound clean and it will heal on its own.

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      katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Izzy, great to hear from you! 

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    Wendy Krickposted 13 years ago

    oh my gosh! I would just keep ice on it today. Hopefully it will feel better soon.

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       katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks Wendy

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    KCC Big Countryposted 13 years ago

    I remember years ago, my Aunt Linda worked in a sewing factory making jeans.  As you can imagine, these are large industrial machines made to sew through thick layers of blue jean material.  She ran her finger through it.  She had no complications from it.  It healed nicely.
    
    I agree with someone earlier that mentioned watching it to make sure it heals from the inside out.  I got a paper-cut once that from all outward appearances healed beautifully.  However, it began hurting and I finally had to go to the doctor with it. It had developed an infection inside.
    
    Good luck to you and your daughter!

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       katiem2posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks KCC, I'll keep it clean.  Nice to know your aunt survived those heavy duty machines well. 

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