"The Laceration"

I am currently volunteering at Black Rock Retreat with an RBC work group during our week off.

This is what we are doing, tearing down this dilapidated shop

Taking the roof off shingles and all proved to be the easiest.The work of sledge hammers and digging irons.

THEN.....

It roared to life, flawlessly doing its job, throwing sawdust as it is maneuvered through the board. With ease it makes pieces out of boards. With skill and care I watched for nails and and avoided them. Suddenly the saw jumped, as it had numerous times, and quickly contacted my glove. The glove was no match for the blade as it performed its required duties. The glove gave way and the blade continued sawing. This time tearing flesh and not wood. The result was immediately known, even before removing my mangled glove I knew the day's plans were going to change. I immediately got a clean towel, wrapped the half severed (left-hand) thumb and headed to the ER. The doctor numbed it, twice, cleaned it out and explained the damage was simply a "laceration." This "laceration" cut the thumb cross-ways right in the middle of the nail, and about half through. In the process of repairing the damage the doctor had to remove the front half of the nail (at least my manicures will be 10% cheaper) so he could put in the 4 stitches. After it was all said and done, this was the result. 1 neatly wrapped thumb.


This is the glove, that is a red liner not blood. The blood on the cuff I guess didn't get washed off.


I have been asked about the pain. right now my meds have worn off and it feels like I hit it with a hammer, it throbs a little, but is bearable. I will probably take a pill before bed to help ease the pain.

If any of you want to see what it looked like before the wrap, I have a picture on my phone I took while waiting in the ER. It isn't too nasty. Just let me know and I can show it too you.

Shortly after I arrived I was told that another guy came in with a similar injury, but apparently he wasn't going to leave with as many fingers as he started with. If you think about it, pray for him.