Well, at least I got out... *Warning-bloody*

[twistidd]

...but I'm thinking that perhaps I should have stayed in. I met up with Mikewaz late this morning, we decided to try a different area in the woods this time. The area we detected turned out to be really trashy, lots of iron. I managed a small memorial pocket spill and a 1958 Jefferson, before I noticed...the bottle dump.

Wow, what a bottle dump it was! Small ones, big ones, smooth ones, embossed ones, whole ones, broken ones, of all sizes and colors. It was a botle collector's dream come true! Then I noticed the pits. Huge, ice-filled trash pits someone had obviously dug for the bottles. It was apparent that someone had dug these pits, collected the bottles they wanted, and then tossed the undesirable ones aside. Still, I had to turn off the M6 and take a stroll around the pits. There were bottles sticking out of the sides of the pits, so I went to grab them to see what they were. One in particular looked like an old Coca Cola bottle. I had to have it so I tried to pry it out of the frozen ground with my Lesche. It wouldn't budge, and I was determined to have it, so, foolishly, I grabbed it with my left hand and tried to yank it out.

To make a long story short, the bottle broke in my hand and lacerated the base of my index finger. There was blood everywhere. I took off my glove and tried to apply pressure on the wound but the blood kept coming. I tried to stay calm, and called Mike to let him know I was done for the day and that I needed to get to the hospital ASAP. I got to the emergency room and received seven stitches and a tetanus shot. The pain caused by the shots to the finger and the antibacterial rinse was excruciating. Good news, is that I didn't get the tendon. Bad news, is that docs said I totally severed the nerve that affects my fingertip and that I might lose sensation there permenantly. Great!

Thanks to Mikewaz for the napkins! I think it's time for a First Aid kit for the car, something you guys should think about too if you don't have one yet. And yes, Kermit, I'll show you where those bottles are, you're going to have a field day!

Take care guys...Joe

 

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[Cynangyl]

Sure glad you got through it all with the finger and tendons attached at least!

 

[twistidd]

I've got a funny pic of me at the hospital getting stitched up but the site won't let me post it. Anyone know how to convert a bmp file to something the site allows? Thanks!

Joe

 

[EDDE]

"I'm hungry,lets get some tacos"

 

[godisnum1]

So you said you took your glove... did you have gloves on when you did this? And if so, were they leather?
Glad you missed the tendon, but sorry you may lose all feeling permanently.

Bran <><

 

[twistidd]

Hey Bran,

The gloves I wear are thin and are not meant to protect my hands from glass or other sharp objects. They basically keep my hands clean! lol...they were on me and the left one is torn and bloody.

I am hoping I get my feeling back too, but if not, it'll be just a nagging reminder of why we need to think twice before we do something stupid like that.

Joe

 

[godisnum1]

Man, that's truly a bummer Joe!! I know it's too late to say it, but I'd stress for you to drop by Wal-mart or Lowes and pick up a pair of leather gloves. I grazed my hands a couple of times before going to get them, and now I feel much better when I'm grabbing out dirt from my holes. I sure hope you get that feeling back!!!!

Bran <><

 

[treasurefiend]

I've got a funny pic of me at the hospital getting stitched up but the site won't let me post it. Anyone know how to convert a bmp file to something the site allows? Thanks!

Joe

Open the pix on your computer, then click the 2nd icon from the right (along the botton of the pix) Once open click "save as" then change it to a jpeg.


Man that sucks!!! Next time you get cut bad raise your wound above your heart, that will slow the bleeding, also make a fist as had as you can. As for loosing feeling in you finger. Its no big deal, when I was younger I shot myself through the finger with my BB gun, I lost all sensation in it for the better part of 10 years. When I broke my leg in bootcamp in 1998 I lost felling in my last 3 toes and still can't feel them correctly. They kinda just feel numb but they work just fine. Glad your OK, and I can't wait to see that bottle dump.

Come to think of it, the day I found my Barber quarter me and Bilt46 found a bottle dump. I saw an old intacked 1920's coke bottle lying on the surface. I took my gloves off and picked it up. It wasn't in my hand for more than 5 seconds before it split in two. I was pissed but those old bottles are fragile when its cold out and your holding them in your warm hand.

 

[mikewaz]

You know, I grabbed a small first aid kit and threw it in my car on the day of the group hunt, just in case.
I bet it's under my front seat, a lot of good that does you now, huh.

You're probably better off that I didn't find it though Joe. I would've cleaned it (without novacaine) , pulled it together and dabbed a little Crazy glue on it. And for the big finish...... wrap it tight with duct tape. This explains why I'm a tool and die maker and not a doctor.

Hope it heals like new!
Mike

 

[kimsdad]

Jeez, Joe!! We've got some walking wounded here in IL! You sure joined the ranks in style!

Sorry you got cut, but real glad it wasn't as bad as it could have been!!

 

[Lowbatts]

Hit many a bottle pit, usually crawl carefully into place in the middle of the broken bottles and seat my self slowly and work rather carefully. Never hurry a good thing Joe! Yeah, you got a zinger there for sure! Here's to hoping it won't keep you down long but as bloody as that pic is, man it has to be a biggie!

 

[dirtyJohn]

Ooooucccchhh! That's nasty, but at least it was your index finger so you'll still be able to give people the bird.

 

[bilt46]

Nasty looking pic; I feel for you. least it's not peak hunting time. Remember wear leather around the Glass.
BillT.

 

[pegleglooker]

MAN do I feel for you !!!!!! But here's the REAL question..... How long before you go back ?


PLL

 

[Brett]

Aww man when I saw that picture my stomach was all wrenched up. That's a tough break Joe... just be glad you didn't get stuck with some druggie's needle. I hope you heal quickly! It will be spring before you know it.

 

[treasurefiend]

just be glad you didn't get stuck with some druggie's needle.

That is my biggest fear.... At the spot where I found my SLQ, before we went over to the area I dumped my trash out of my pouch in the garbage can. At the bottom I saw a hand full of used needles... I HATE JUNKIES!!!!

 

[twistidd]

Here are the ER photos, taken by my girlfriend. Notice the white within my finger. I thought at first it was my bone but it is actually the tendon. That's how close I came to severing it!

I will take your advice and use leather gloves the next time I'm thinking about picking up some bottles.

Take care!

Joe

 

[treasurefiend]

LOL - that sure is a beaute!!!
I guess you can't do this for awhile... Now how are you supposed to pass the winter away

LOL

 

[oz_il]

Oh my

As a precaution I had a tetanus booster shot a few years back when I started MD'ing. Knock on wood, no cuts yet.

There WAS a nice bottle dump by Tuma Lake (CCFP) which was drained quite a bit when the dam busted about 8 - 10 years back. I didn't get much from there and now it is too late as they plowed up most of it this year as they are refilling it in 2009.

Didn't find much MD'ing either - trillions of cans, bottle tops, etc. Not a single coin found and the drained area had several feet of muck which I made the mistake of trying to walk on once

 

[tmanfromtexas]

Dang Joe, you did a fine job on that finger. I hope all works out with the nerve endings. It may take a while but hopefully you will get it back. I had a dude blow the tip of his finger out at work some years ago. We did some invasive surgery to it there at the jobsite so we could close it up (it was Christmas Eve and he wanted to go home) He lost feeling for a while but after a year it came back good as new. I think I missed my calling as a doctor. LOL. Keep that clean and it will heal in no time. SMAN...