I was upstairs in our room Wednesday evening when I faintly heard the sound of Steve shouting my name from the kitchen.
I couldn’t imagine why Steve would be shouting. He is not a shouter. If he had something he needed to tell me, he would come up the stairs to talk, the way he always does.
It occurred to me pretty quickly that a shouting Steve could only mean that something was wrong. And as I quickly found out, something was most definitely wrong.
Steve had been working on his radio controlled airplane when his hand had gotten too close to the propeller and bits of skin and chunks of flesh went flying. He and I are both incredibly thankful it was not an entire finger (or two) that went missing. It could have been much worse.
We got the wound on ice and wrapped in a towel and then sped out the door to the nearest Urgent Care, about 15 minutes away.
Please note the stylish duds that Steve is wearing for this particular foray out into public eye. Part of his great joy in working on his plane is getting to wear his oldest and most stained and ripped items of clothing. It’s obviously a guy thing.
As we were checking in and telling the receptionist what caused Steve’s injury, her face lit up and she said, “My grandpa also flies RC planes and he’s getting ready to move to the Outer Banks!”
At that point, my dear hubby put aside his trauma and discomfort and began enthusiastically telling her all about the local RC Club that he’s a part of; he even gave her the website address to pass on along to her grandpa.
But then all too soon, the fun was over and it was down-to-business time.
Over the next fifteen minutes, three different people were in and out of the room, assessing Steve’s injury, taking his health history, giving him a shot for pain, getting his hand in an antiseptic bath, and preparing the suturing materials. Steve got everyone’s name and engaged them all in conversation. Even in a tough situation, he is a people person to the bone.
The shot he’d been given was starting to make him feel just a bit mellow.
But in addition to the shot mellowing him out, it also contributed to his more-than-usual genial garrulity, as he kept up a steady stream of conversation. (The genial garrulity of the gentleman on the gurney. Trying saying that three times fast!)
As the Physician’s Assistant started doing her excellent suturing work, Steve regaled her (and the other in-and-out medical personnel) with all sorts of stories, asked them questions about themselves and in general, had a very jolly time.
Except of course, during the not-so-cheerful moments when he got half a dozen different anesthetic injections in his finger and thumb. You don’t realize how sensitive finger tips are until you have needles poking around in them.
The ten stitches took quite a long time since the PA was meticulous and precise, which is exactly how you want someone to be in this sort of situation. (She did sadly inform him that his career as a hand model was definitely over.)
Halfway through the procedure, the receptionist (whom we had talked with earlier) stuck her head in to see if it was okay to come in. Steve was, of course, happy to have someone else to chat with and was thrilled with the distraction.
The clinic had closed to any new patients for the day so she told him she’s already a chance to be in touch with her grandpa and he was so excited about joining Steve’s club. He was asking his granddaughter all sorts of questions to pass on to Steve, so the two of them happily chatted for ten minutes or so. Steve even asked me to get his phone and text her pictures of his airplane to send to her grandpa. He was definitely in his element.
When the receptionist left, we went back to chatting with the PA and found out she was married with a 9-month old son. When she told us his name I said, “Does he happen to go to the Sandbox Early Learning Center?”
Turns out I have actually cared for her sweet, smiling son during my part-time job there. That’s one of the great things about living in a small town–all the connectedness.
After about ninety minutes (and a tetanus shot), the procedure was finally done. The PA rightly said, “It looks like there’s been a massacre!”
But the good news is that Steve (while missing a few chunks of flesh) will have full use of his all his fingers, once the healing is done. He has to keep the dressing on for a week and then the stitches wil be removed.
You can’t see it, but there is a metal splint on this palm to keep him from bending any fingers and breaking open any sutures. Definitely not the most comfortable thing to deal with but he hasn’t let it slow him down.
And in closing, this photo is for the people at the clinic who Steve (in one of his moments of garrulity) mentioned my blog address to. I just had to show you what he looks like in his non-tacky mode. (smile)
Once again, we are both so thankful that this incident wasn’t worse. A fraction of an inch closer to the propeller and there would have been a very different outcome.
The funny thing is that on this coming Sunday afternoon, some young boys from our church are going to the RC flying field to meet with the members of the RC Club, learn about the planes, and fly one themselves. Part of the focus of the afternoon will be teaching on airplane safety.
Don’t you think it was so nice of Steve to put himself through this experience so that he could serve as the object lesson for this teaching session?
My husband. Always willing to go the extra mile.
Ouch, with all that blood and ten stitches I can imagine how painful it was when the numbing injections wore off. I hope Steve is healing quickly! Sounds like you both made several new friends at the clinic, and really made the day for the receptionists grandpa!
Kari,
Yes, it was quite the eventful evening! He gets his dressing off and stitches out tomorrow and is VERY excited about that!
Steve Smith, you’re one brave man! My dad needed stitches in his finger about 8 months ago and his exact words were, “When they stuck that needle and started moving it around in there I swear I saw your Bubbie (FYI: she passed in 1994)!” We may tease you boys about a man cold or the man flu, but when it comes to stuff like this, you guys sure handle it with an exception amount of gusto. In the end you have a new airplane club member, Becky met a parent & and you received top notch care! I hope you’re feeling better soon!
And Becky Smith, like a true photographer and FB’er you made sure b/f heading to the hospital you got your photo in. You two, a match made in Heaven! Hugs!
Jodi,
Yes, our fellas are tough in the face of wounds, blood and needles!
And yes, you know me. I’ve got to have a photo of something or it didn’t happen! 🙂 Steve got plenty of sympathy at church this morning, playing bass with three fingers and a bandaged hand.
Ouch, and again I say ouch! I am not surprised at his being able to talk to others as he does – he’s a pastor! My dad was a pastor and would talk to everyone and anyone who had an ear to hear. When I was very young and he would stop to get gas, well, forget about going in, getting gas, and leaving right away – no way. Too many guys to talk too!. Wish he was still here, but bless these pastor’s hearts for the gift of gab, especially in finding out if the other person knows the Lord!
Sharyn,
I know you havea lot of good memories of your dad. He sounds like a wonderful and likable fella!
Youch!!! Wow that is quite an injury. Hope he’s feeling better soon and it heals quickly.
Jenna,
His biggest frustration is not being able to do all the stuff with his hands that he is used to doing. And we are ALL sad that he can’t play bass guitar in service tomorrow.
Ouch. So glad he’ll be ok
Michele,
Yes, we are extra, extra thankful when it could have been so much worse!
Glad it was not worse. Probably will not slow him down. Prayers for little pain.
Ann,
It’s pretty hard to slow that fella of mine down!
Prayers for you, sweet lady!
Oh Steve that hurts me just to look at it. I’m so glad you won’t lose any fingers. Praying for a speedy recovery.??
Margie,
Thanks for your sweet words and prayers. He will be glad to get bandages off and stitches OUT!
So glad Steve will recover! Not sure I should have read while having my dinner lol!
From Guerrina … not her down fallen blog !
Guerrina,
Maybe your down fallen blog will day get resurrected. That would be a happy thing! 🙂
Guerrina,
Sorry. I should have Dinner Warning attached at the beginning!
My goodness, that was a scary incident, not to mention messy! So thankful all is well and he “enjoyed” his experience to the best he could. Made new friends and brought in a new club member, what a guy!
Mary,
That man will go to any length to recruit new members, won’t he?
What a gentleman! lovebeinganonny
Nonny,
You’re right. When a fellow can be a gentlemen when he’s traumatized and in pain, you know he’s a true gentleman!
Ouch! Glad there is no permenet damage, praying Steve recovers quickly!
Cindy,
We are thankful the damage was relatively minimal. I shudder to think of what it could have been!
Ohhhhh Steve. Looking at him lying quietly on the stretcher(so not him)….poor guy. And isn’t it always so admirable to see someone keep their cool under pressure? He’s such a great guy and continues to spread joy no matter the circumstances. So glad he was so well taken care of, biggest risk will be infection, hopefully that will not surface and he will have full joint motion when he is all healed.
Lesley,
Infection is definitely something we want to keep FAR away from him. His hardest challenge right now is not overdoing it. He tends to keep on going like nothing happened. (Well, at least after yesterday, when he spent most of the day in bed on his pain killer.) Today he is just doing OTC and feeling quite a bit better.
Wow! I’m glad Steve’s accident wasn’t any worse than it was. It’s so neat about all the “interconnectiveness” (probably not a real word, but it fits) in your small town. I especially liked the connection with the receptionist’s grandpa. Wishing Steve quick healing and keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers…
Sue Ellen,
Interconnectiveness is a great word–whether it really exists, or not! 🙂 That’s what I love about a small town, too. And Steve is thrilled to be getting a new member in their small RC Club.
OUCH.. so sorry! surely there was a better way to make new friends and get a new RC club member.
glad the outcome will eventually be a good one.
I think I beat Steve on the Massacre Scene… but fortunately I was pain-free three weeks ago when I had a tooth pulled and bled for 7 1/2 hours which I was told was normal. It would have been nice to have been told that before hand.
Mrs. Pam,
Yes, if I was going to bleed for 7 1/2 hours, I would definitely want to know that ahead of time. I know you were glad to have THAT litle experience over with!
Wow! Thanks for the pictures!! YIKES!! Shouldn’t have tuned into your blog while sitting down with lunch! (Kidding, sorta!!) Glad the wound was no worse, but it looked pretty bad. Glad you were within earshot, Becky! How wonderful of Steve to be who he is, wounds and all! The way you describe how he engages people reminds me of Mr. Rogers, you know, the one with the neighborhood! I remember reading about how Fred Rogers was so curious about other people, and wanting to truly know about those he would meet. So special! You are like that too, with your blog, and I so appreciate that, even though I don’t often write in the comments.
Thanks for the story, Becky. Thanks for taking care of your guy! And if any of the clinic folks are reading, thank YOU!!!
Ann,
Curiosity about people really is a wonderful trait. You never know what kind of wonderful person you might when you are out and about.
Thanks for your kind words about the blog; it’s great to have you leave a comment today!
Ooooohhhhh……………OUCHIE!!!
This post brings back memories of the time I sliced up my hand (very sharp knife in the dish water…forgot it was in there…..not smart) and the ensuing numbing shots and stitches. *Ugh* Steve, I feel your pain. 🙁
So very glad that it wasn’t worse! Hope it heals quickly and completely!
LeeAnne,
So when you say you “feel his pain” you really do, since you have your own painful memory to look back on!
Those sharp knives will do it every time!
Owie Owie Owie Owww Owww! 🙁
Glad Steve’s finger-functioning will be fine! 🙂
Stefanie,
Yep, he is a fine-functioning fingered fella. (Or he will be, in a week or two.)
Sure am thankful he kept all fingers as well as his humor and people-ness throughout. 🙂 What a guy! (And all that gentleman on a gurney thing you so cleverly said.)
Love, Deb and the guys
Deb,
Fingers and sense of humor, all intact.
Hooray and hallelujah!