almost lost mi letf hand............OUCHHHHHHHHH

[Ponce]

yesterday morning i was cutting wood with the rip saw and it went over my left hand.......it cut the tendons for the three middle middle fingers and the saw ran over the nuckels, instead of going to the nearest hospital, 35 miles away, i drove myself to the va hospital that is 125 miles away......blood all over my home and rav-4.....as soon as the resectionist saw me she called a ... code red to the front.......a nurse came out and almost carried me in, there was a dr, a wana be dr, and two nurses waiting for me......the dr took pictures and the took some more and 4 hours later sent me to a civilian hospital where they were witing for me.........operation of hand took 1.5 hours to attach all the tendons, break big ballon of blood and cut off two square inches of skin hanging out and then put every thing back together.........using only right hand to type with, will be out of commsion for a longggggggg time.

very tired, more to say.........poor you hehehehe........later on.

ps.......never had any pain whatsoever.

[sirgonzo420]

dammit ponce!


be careful you old cuban fart!

[Dogman]

Dam Ponce! You need to be careful , good to hear it was not worse than what it is, but dammit. Get better , be careful, and count your blessings or tp. Which ever is good for you. Bet next time you get near power tools for a very long time to come. you will use them with caution.

You just had a Dam good lesson on what not to do.

Edit: The pain will come later, right now you are being blessed with shock.

[palani]

never had any pain whatsoever.

Good quality rum will have that effect too. Happy they could take care of it for you.

[gunDriller]

Ouch !

I trust & hope that your immune system is strong - bad time for an infection.

Did the doctor give you anything for infection ? Penicillin, Cephalexin ?

Sometimes doctors don't like to prescribe an antibiotic before there is an infection, but I disagree. There are times when an infection is a REAL bad thing to happen and it's worth it to fight it off.

anyway, hope you're all right & get the use of your hand back.


Rip saw - you mean like a cross cut saw for cutting a 2x4 ?

or the other kind of saw, like you use to cut a 4 x 8 plywood ?


Either way, I have a strong preference for manual tools.

[Cebu_4_2]

I'm glad it was not worse than it was. Why go farther for the VA and then back to a civilian??

Time to start back on your colloidal silver!

[mamboni]

Get well buddy - close call but it sounds like you'll get full function back!

I don't like using power saws and coarse-tooth saws for this reason - in a split second you can do major damage. Once I was cutting the end off a Christmas tree with a hand saw and the saw jumped and cut the skin over the dorsum of my left hand - needed stitches only. Another time almost took off a finger with a paper cutter - not paying enough attention. I inherited an industrial band saw at one of the hospitals I had taken over as servcie chief. It cut through bones like femurs like butter. It was very heavy, overbuilt and had no safety devices. One slip and it would take off a hand before you would feel even a pinch. I called the plant Ops and asked them to haul it out of there pronto - I wasn't letting anyone near that thing. I only use a striker saw for cutting bone. It looks and sounds ferocious as it cuts but it is almost impossible to suffer serious injury from a striker saw.

When I am using any cutting tool my rules are:

1. I'm well rested and stone sober.
2. No jewelry, watches or loose fitting clothes
3. total focus on the job - everyone and everything around me is tuned out
4. I never use a large power tool without a second person present (just in case)'

Get well Ponce.

[palani]

Why go farther for the VA and then back to a civilian??
If the VA had done the operation the arm would have been removed at the shoulder.

[Dogman]

If the VA had done the operation the arm would have been removed at the shoulder.

Na , just relocated!

[MNeagle]

How scary Ponce! I worry when you take risks like that; driving yourself to hospitals especially. Fainting, & all sorts of other risks!

Hoping for a speedy recovery & don't be afraid to utilize pain pills...

& thanks for letting us know.

Godspeed.

[LastResort]

Holy crap man gotta be careful. Get well soon!

I seen some close calls working with people cutting meat back in the day who didn't respect the machinery. The worst I've ever done was graze a finger, luckily on a ban saw set up at low rpm with an extremely fine tooth.

[willie pete]

cuidado Pendejo....lol .......isn't the "rip" saw designated because of the way the teeth are fashioned?

[Half Sense]

Yer a tough old Cuban bastard, Ponce. Hope you heal quick.

[mightymanx]

While the old fart is munching on pain pills and realizing his love life just got more difficult.

Something serious to ponder:

Had this been post SHTF you would probably be dead in 2 weeks from infection, or bleed to death on the spot.

Remember boys and girls fairly simple accidents like this one will be deadly in the near future.

[zap]

Its already all been said ! Take care Ponce, and pay ATTENTION !!! feel better and yep take the pain pills and antibiotics.:)

[EE_]

http://ih3.redbubble.net/work.5425939.1.flat,550x550,075,f.silver-lining-get-well-soon.jpg

[Libertytree]

"almost lost mi letf hand............OUCHHHHHHHHH" ponce

"ps.......never had any pain whatsoever." ponce

Drove 90 extra miles because it was important enough to post on the net, even at the risk of losing my hand.

[Ponce]

hehehehe, to my admiring public ......heyyyyyyy ponce is ponce....... i thank you and love you all, the leyend continues... with two figers................still no pain when i should be craying like a baby........ i was having a ball with the dr's and nurses and they called me a tough OLD MAN.......crap.........at first they thought that i have been shot on the chest for all the blood on my t shirt and shorts, was holding arm against my chest.

civilian hospital because of ortophidic dr and also becouse he was already present with his team and ready to go, the sleep dr told me to count to 5 i think that i reached three AND I WAS GONEEEEEE, woke up two or 2.5 hours later with a private nurse who stayed with me for the next 1.5 hours.......to me the hospita looked like a 5 stars hotel in dubai, it was really, really beatifull, they even had a lady that came around with a menu, i was in a private room with a bathtube that had a jacuzy, the bed was a vibrating bed that molded to your body every few minutes.......... by the way, i pucked my lunch about 10 minutes after eating it while waiting for my private driver,

the sleep dr and surgeon gave me a few options about what to do with me and i told them......you dont tell me how to love a woman and i don't tell you how to work on a patient..........the bottom line on this? the nurse game me a kiss after th two drs left.........this old fart still has it hahahahaha.

the round saw that got me is the one for cutting 2X4 that you pull down and the blade has a plastic cover that gets out of the way as you pull down.......i took out tis safety plastic devise........second time it got me......i deserved this accident for being stupid.

[ximmy]

What Ponce Saw...
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/rosegrl83/nurse.jpg

What really happened...
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jIBUj2OkKBE/SW3U-eR6oYI/AAAAAAAABw0/VOi-aksVqqY/s320/old+nurse,+ms+blog.jpg

[Hatha Sunahara]

Heal thyself dude. Time heals all wounds. You probably need to slow down a little, and this will help.


Hatha

[Dogman]

What Ponce Saw...
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g156/rosegrl83/nurse.jpg

What really happened...
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jIBUj2OkKBE/SW3U-eR6oYI/AAAAAAAABw0/VOi-aksVqqY/s320/old+nurse,+ms+blog.jpg


http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSoInqvOrdaSHFaRkU7fTY0ZD0px1NSc nS3-Xzr0Ya_Od1GKEzX

[Gaillo]

Ponce,
I would send some sympathy your way... BUT...
You not only read, but you REPLIED (post #7) to my cautionary thread re: power tool injuries (here):

http://gold-silver.us/forum/showthread.php?49379-Be-careful-out-there...&highlight=careful+lathe

NOBODY is exempt... this is no shit SERIOUS stuff not to be taken lightly! :(
For those of you who use power tools and think "not me" - THINK AGAIN... it happens faster than you can possibly imagine!

BTW, I've been machining around 20 YEARS now... I also rhought I was "da shit" and it couldn't happen to me... I know what I'm talking about here, and what I'm talking about is PAY ATTENTION!!!!

[General of Darkness]

Get well Ponce.

[beefsteak]

So glad you have your life, your sight, your arm AND your hand. And one exhausted guardian angel.

Take time to heal right and do your physical therapy like a good Ponce. :)


beefsteak

[Ponce]

gaillo, if i were to live that way where i have to worry about everything i the would not be alive today, my....crazines saved my life many times......also hurt me many times........and i am still alive, i dont mean alive as in dead but rather alive in life and still doing all that i like to do.......you can live for...them........or live for you.

at the va hospital this 350 lbs lady came in and the nurse wanted to weight her, the lady turned around an gave her husband her tiny little one lbs purse and told him... hold my purse, is heavy hahahaha..............and a lady sweepin the floor? she had her name tag on and her tittle was........enviromental control specialist hahahaha.

ximmy?, in my defence, i was out of it hahaha.

[madfranks]

I don't know what to say other than be more careful in the future, we don't want to lose you sooner than we have to!

[Ponce]

thanks frank........but.........sorry to say that many here will be gone way before me......i know the date that i will die in.

fingers hurting a little bit........but only if i try moving them.......as usual i am gtting ahead of the dr.

[agnut]

Hi Ponce; sorry to hear about your hand. So much can go wrong when doctors are practicing beyond their competence. And when there is so much emphasis on pill pushing, continuing medical education too often gets pushed to the back burner. At least that’s the way I see it.

You were fortunate to have quickly found a specialist surgical team. With cutting edge technology. Too soon ? Well, I was always one for dark humor at the expense of good taste. My bad.

Very best wishes,

Agnut

[Ponce]

Hey there, still no pain but i keep on pushing for it hahaha......surrender hell.

[Dogman]

Best to push it so things do not draw up on you. tendons can do that.

[willie pete]

...i know the date that i will die in.

fingers hurting a little bit........but only if i try moving them.......as usual i am gtting ahead of the dr.


...i know the date that i will die in.
...damn ponce, sounds like you got a plan? Do you?

[Ponce]

Lucky i guess........my house is always in order.......

[sweetdeems]

Wrap toilet paper around it.

Oh and don't cut yourself again... toilet paper is getting expensive.

sorry if that seems insensitive. I'm trying to make a drunk.. I"m a little joke. :P

[Ponce]

Hey sweet, thats why we are here.......to get drunk?.......i know that tp is getting expensive thats my price barometer for every thing else.

[sirgonzo420]

"If you don't hold it, you don't own it" applies to fingers too!

;D

[freespirit]

the round saw that got me is the one for cutting 2X4 that you pull down and the blade has a plastic cover that gets out of the way as you pull down.......i took out tis safety plastic devise........second time it got me......i deserved this accident for being stupid.

as you now know, those safety guards are there for a reason!

this type of saw is called a miter saw. they can also be called a compound miter saw when the blade tilts as well as swivels. i have both, i have kept the guards in place, and have had no accidents. please be more careful in the future, and before you remove a safety device on a power tool in the future, remember, smarter people than you thought it was a good idea to have it in place. then look down at your hand, and LEAVE THE DAMN GUARDS IN PLACE!! they don't work as well when they aren't attached to the tool....

you're a smart guy, ponce, but that was a pretty stupid move...heal well and quickly, friend.

[big country]

as you now know, those safety guards are there for a reason!

this type of saw is called a miter saw. they can also be called a compound miter saw when the blade tilts as well as swivels. i have both, i have kept the guards in place, and have had no accidents. please be more careful in the future, and before you remove a safety device on a power tool in the future, remember, smarter people than you thought it was a good idea to have it in place. then look down at your hand, and LEAVE THE DAMN GUARDS IN PLACE!! they don't work as well when they aren't attached to the tool....

you're a smart guy, ponce, but that was a pretty stupid move...heal well and quickly, friend.

OR a radial arm saw if the saw is attached to a track that slides for cross cutting. Only use one for cross cutting, always rip on a table saw.

rip = with the grain
cross cut = across the grain

[Ponce]

Thanks gang, it was the compound mitter saw that got me......last night i put the safety bar back on again.

You guys know a hell of a lot more about this tools than i do........i have just about all of them and i never call them by the proper names......just like the dates that i just to have, only took me 24 hours for me to forget their names, sorry ladies, is just the way that my mind works.....or doesnt work.

Still no pain, i must be a realllllll macho man........or lucky.

[Dogman]

Thanks gang, it was the compound mitter saw that got me......last night i put the safety bar back on again.

You guys know a hell of a lot more about this tools than i do........i have just about all of them and i never call them by the proper names......just like the dates that i just to have, only took me 24 hours for me to forget their names, sorry ladies, is just the way that my mind works.....or doesnt work.

Still no pain, i must be a realllllll macho man........or lucky.


Ponce and to others , old saying applies here " If it ain't broke, don't fix it" the safety devices that are on tools are there for a reason!

Do not fuck with them in anyway. They will save you pain and or your life.

Just saying!

[Awoke]

Holy crap Ponce! Get well soon!

[Ponce]

Thanks awoke.......my dog is funny, every time that i take him for a walk he picks up and carry one of his bones the same way that a woman would with a purse.

[Awoke]

What, he slings it over his shoulder?

;D

[willie pete]

"If you don't hold it, you don't own it" applies to fingers too!

;D

IF you don't have any fingers, you can't hold it.....lol ...stay safe viejo.......

[Ponce]

More like my rope over his shoulder, he drops it when he is tired and i carry it for him till hes ready to go again.................gracias pete.

[mick silver]

dam ........ go fishing for a day and come back and ponce done went and cut off a arm . get well old man

[Ponce]

I will mick, after all...........i want to collect my three rolls from you.

[mick silver]

WHY WOULD I GIVE YOU THREE ROLL of paper for . dam how many pain pills have you taken . i think you have a bet with someone else

[Dogman]

I will mick, after all...........i want to collect my three rolls from you.


WHY WOULD I GIVE YOU THREE ROLL of paper for . dam how many pain pills have you taken . i think you have a bet with someone else

He is! Unless your other name is 1970 silver art bar, ak outlaw...

Ponce ,,,,Count your marbles! >:D


;D

[mick silver]

ponce do you have some more crack ............... haahhahahahhahahahaha

[Ponce]

Upssssssss, i had five marbles and now only three..........better take a pain pill.

[mick silver]

ponce just let me know if you need some help moving your silver around . with that hand hurting you could used some help . just let me know

[Veni, vidi...evigilavi!]

ponce just let me know if you need some help moving your silver around . with that hand hurting you could used some help . just let me know LMAO
Ponce...Cuidado con los zopilotes/carroñeros, que estan muy listos. Mas vale que te cuides chico.

I'd tell you to be careful, but you keep being stubborn... that's why you're Ponce ;)...
sigue de terco Cubano pero sigue adelante tambien, que te recuperes pronto baron (no se incluyir los accentos, jeje)

[Ponce]

Ponce<--------------crazy, not stupid............hummmmmmmmm better let me think about that one.......yours truly, Ponce seven fingers hahahahahahahah

[Ponce]

Going to the Dr tomorrow.....176 miles one way......VA will give me 0.47 cents a mile......about $150.00 bucks......what I need to play cards with on my way back.

[Dogman]

Going to the Dr tomorrow.....176 miles one way......VA will give me 0.47 cents a mile......about $150.00 bucks......what I need to play cards with on my way back.

Now we know , when you may have bled to death you took the long rout. Instead of going to the local hospital, Plus cheaper at the va.

Do you squeak when you walk? Wait no need to answer, the answer is known. ;D


208

[JohnQPublic]

Hope you're doing ok, Ponce. Be careful around machines, please!

[palani]

Plus cheaper at the va.

If more people would take these benefits the system would crash so much faster ... better in the end analysis.

Just to help the process along ... did you know if you cancel your social security account you can turn around the next day and receive around $600 a month from them? Sounds funny but evidently that is the way they set it up. If you have your 10 quarters (might be 10 years ) you can get even more.

[Ponce]

Pluto? cost me $50.00 for the emergency room and $250.00 a night for the bed......but, the service at the VA is better, faster and 100% free, and they pay me heheheheheheheh.

Thanks Jonhn.....but......in one ear and out the other one, I know me LOL.

Palani?, now I am getting around $975.00 a month.......is way more than what I need so that I am doing just fine.

[Dogman]

I will mick, after all...........i want to collect my three rolls from you.


Pluto? cost me $50.00 for the emergency room and $250.00 a night for the bed......but, the service at the VA is better, faster and 100% free, and they pay me heheheheheheheh.

Thanks Jonhn.....but......in one ear and out the other one, I know me LOL.

Palani?, now I am getting around $975.00 a month.......is way more than what I need so that I am doing just fine.

So I was right, you old fart, Be careful. You do squeak! ;D

[palani]

is way more than what I need so that I am doing just fine.

Just sayin' ... I was told you could sign up for SS card one day, cancel it the next and apply for benefits of $600 a month soon thereafter. You obviously paid into the system for much longer.

[Ponce]

Well, the gave $140.65 for the trip........the Dr did a hell of good job on my hand, at least it will look 95% normal......one month with the new cast and then therapy....................he wanted me to be responsible for the end bill and I told him that the VA choose him so that the VA would have to pay.............I didnt put my signature on anything.