Knitting injuries... bet you can't top this one

BirthFree · 05-27-2006, 11:54 PM

So I seem to have some type of drama every pg... homebirth transfer to the hospital with my oldest, appendicitis while pg with my youngest and this pg... well, I fulfilled the drama day today. Fireman, paramedics, ambulance ride, ER visit, the works.

Please don't laugh...

So I opened the blinds behind my couch/chairs and turned around to sit down in my chair... next thing I realize my left leg/thigh hurts a lot so I put my hands on the arms and pull myself up to realize that I have now impaled myself with my size 8 knitting needle. I am not only shocked but freaked... I go to pull it out and I can, but only an inch and then it won't come out anymore (and I can feel it grating this weird sound). (The needle just happened to be pointing up in a bag of knitting stuff tucked in the side of the chair - and it caught on my pants... etc.)

I keep saying, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh" and my DH comes running into the room... he tries to pull it out but again, it won't move. He's asking me what he should do but I have NO idea so he calls 911 - they say don't take it out and they send the firemen.

Firemen arrive (with me feeling like a total idiot and in pain) and they determine they can't pull it out, and find my other knitting needle to determine how long it is (what is sticking out of my leg) to see what is inside, and to see what kind of pliers they need to clip it (at which point I am saying, "I don't think so!"). They figure out the pliers but wait for the paramedics to arrive to be sure.

Paramedics arrive, again I'm feeling stupid and in pain, and they say for the abulance ride we need to clip it so that it doesn't jostle the whole ride and call ahead to the hospital. They clip it (to my almost-hyperventilation) and load me onto the stretcher, gurney and into the abulance.

Once at the ER they figure out how to get my spendy yoga pants off without cutting them (I was concerned about it, what can I say... the pants are not only pricey but comfy and I have a single pair only) and after waiting a long time the Dr. came into say that they will be just pulling it out.

Ahhh, no.

She suggests local anesthetic and I say more because I can feel it all the way in my muscle - so she does local, they start an IV and give me morphine (which is a Class B med. amazingly - I made the nurse read me the info. from the book) - but they gave it to me so quickly that I started not being able to breathe and it really scared me. Silly nurse.

After many local shots and time for the morphine to work the Dr. comes back and without warning (kind of smart really) she pulls it out.

Okay, get this... it was FIVE inches long (that is after I had already pulled out an inch!!!). FIVE. No wonder it wasn't coming out when I pulled.

Wash wash wash the wound and dress it with stuff, send me away with drugs, anti-nausea drugs (for when I take the drugs) and antibiotics. Like 2 drops of blood the whole time. Amazing.

So my butt/leg is in pain, I'm taking pain meds and I feel like a total dork. I will say though, after knowing how much came out of there, I am DARN glad we called.

All needles are now going to be stored in a nice needle carrier I will be making tomorrow. I will also never live it down.
BUT, it's out and is quite a story.

I don't like taking drugs and it seems so sad that my no-pain-med-for-childbirth self would take morphine but I have to tell you, it was worth it. Ouch.

So that's my evening.

Seylah · 05-28-2006, 02:19 AM

Julie, are you the same Julie I just saw this am at Jens?!! (Ha, its a small world!!!)
This is just crazy, you poor thing! What a very crappy thing to have happen to you, and I promise Im not laughing......

Im sorry, I have always had a fear of that. I hope your leg heals really quickly

I just cant believe it, 5 inches of #8 right in the leg? fricken OUCH!

IrishBaby · 05-28-2006, 04:35 AM

HOLY FROZEN CARP -- Julie, you poor poor poor thing!!! That is so traumatizing. How are you feeling now?

raitch · 05-28-2006, 05:03 AM

Oh my hell, you poor thing!

But here's the really important question... what kind of needle was it?

You poor thing!

ladydemetreis · 05-28-2006, 05:32 AM

Goodness Julie!!! Thats a lotta needle to be in your leg, I'm surprized you did'nt feel it initially! Yeah, was this a wooden or aluminum needle? I'm glad your ok now.

trishshack · 05-28-2006, 06:15 AM

Oh my how scary!

cvharris · 05-28-2006, 06:42 AM

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. 5 inches!!! Hope you are pain free now.

twouglyducks · 05-28-2006, 06:43 AM

Yeah, HOLY crap!!!!! That is crazy!!! I hope you heal quickly.

pmcgary · 05-28-2006, 07:13 AM

If it makes you feel any better- I know you aren't the only one to impale oneself with a knitting needle.

My mom somehow managed to step on one and ram it all the way through her foot.

Of course she hates doctors and removed it herself - and just ran lots of water over it...

Her's was probably a short size 8....

I remember she did complain a lot about how much it hurt...

Much sympathy to you.....maybe this will insure that the remainder of your pg and the delivery will remain drama (and relatively pain free)????????

aussie_knit · 05-28-2006, 08:06 AM

OUCHY!! my leg aches just reading about that! Hope you heal well and have an uneventful rest of your pregnancy

dandelions2 · 05-28-2006, 08:51 AM

OMG! I thought it was bad when I stabbed my ass with a crochet hook - but that wasn't even an inch and it hurt like hell. I can't imagine that! Reminder to me to be more careful.

(((hugs)))

Jessica36 · 05-28-2006, 08:57 AM

Ouch! See this is why I crochet more

dandelions2 · 05-28-2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessica36

Ouch! See this is why I crochet more

Hey, it can happen with a hook too. lol

BirthFree · 05-28-2006, 09:34 AM

Lisa (Seylah) - it is! Wow, small world (and hello!!).

It was an aluminum cheapie that I hated and it was 16" long (blech) - they gave me the piece that came out and it makes me feel icky to look at it. :shiver:

I told them not to laugh at me when I left and they said they would, but not use my name when they told stories... and then when the Dr. pulled the needle out she looked at it and stared with her mouth open - she kept saying, "oh my gosh that is LONG!" Supposedly they haven't had someone who's done that in more than 10 years.

I'm making a needle case to hold my needles today... way too freaky, I could have really hurt my baby if it had been in a different spot (yikes!).

Mama Spruce · 05-28-2006, 09:48 AM

Whoa. Crazy. I'm so sorry! Don't feel like an idiot. Like my dad says, that's why they call them accidents and not onpurposes. Healing vibes to you.

memiles · 05-28-2006, 10:19 AM

Good lord, that wins for best (and worst) knitting injury ever. :::::::shudder::::::::

As for the drugs, I too am a homebirthing mama. I had kidney stones during my last pregnancy. I decided, in my delirium, that God made medications for certain situations. Kidney stones and knee surgery were on my list previously, but I have now added "knitting needle impalement"

Heal fast, mama!

whitecalx · 05-28-2006, 10:26 AM

Oh my goodness! How did that even get in your leg to begin with? It seems like it would take a ton of force to get an object as blunt as a knitting needle through skin.

I'm feeling a bit queasy thinking about it!

spacestitch · 05-28-2006, 12:58 PM

Oh my god! I've never heard of anything like that. I'm glad you are ok!
Liane

Dawn · 05-28-2006, 03:16 PM

ack! hope you heal up fast!

KnitInYourPantsMama · 05-28-2006, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitecalx

ton of force

I can't believe you just said that to a pregnant woman!

Ouchie!!! I can only imagine how much that one hurt. Makes me want to be more careful with my needles so thanks for the PSA.

Do you think you'll make the paper? It probably would in this town!

05-27-2006, 11:54 PM	#1
BirthFree Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 734 Reputation: 9340 Rep Power: 198	Knitting injuries... bet you can't top this one So I seem to have some type of drama every pg... homebirth transfer to the hospital with my oldest, appendicitis while pg with my youngest and this pg... well, I fulfilled the drama day today. Fireman, paramedics, ambulance ride, ER visit, the works. Please don't laugh... So I opened the blinds behind my couch/chairs and turned around to sit down in my chair... next thing I realize my left leg/thigh hurts a lot so I put my hands on the arms and pull myself up to realize that I have now impaled myself with my size 8 knitting needle. I am not only shocked but freaked... I go to pull it out and I can, but only an inch and then it won't come out anymore (and I can feel it grating this weird sound). (The needle just happened to be pointing up in a bag of knitting stuff tucked in the side of the chair - and it caught on my pants... etc.) I keep saying, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh" and my DH comes running into the room... he tries to pull it out but again, it won't move. He's asking me what he should do but I have NO idea so he calls 911 - they say don't take it out and they send the firemen. Firemen arrive (with me feeling like a total idiot and in pain) and they determine they can't pull it out, and find my other knitting needle to determine how long it is (what is sticking out of my leg) to see what is inside, and to see what kind of pliers they need to clip it (at which point I am saying, "I don't think so!"). They figure out the pliers but wait for the paramedics to arrive to be sure. Paramedics arrive, again I'm feeling stupid and in pain, and they say for the abulance ride we need to clip it so that it doesn't jostle the whole ride and call ahead to the hospital. They clip it (to my almost-hyperventilation) and load me onto the stretcher, gurney and into the abulance. Once at the ER they figure out how to get my spendy yoga pants off without cutting them (I was concerned about it, what can I say... the pants are not only pricey but comfy and I have a single pair only) and after waiting a long time the Dr. came into say that they will be just pulling it out. Ahhh, no. She suggests local anesthetic and I say more because I can feel it all the way in my muscle - so she does local, they start an IV and give me morphine (which is a Class B med. amazingly - I made the nurse read me the info. from the book) - but they gave it to me so quickly that I started not being able to breathe and it really scared me. Silly nurse. After many local shots and time for the morphine to work the Dr. comes back and without warning (kind of smart really) she pulls it out. Okay, get this... it was FIVE inches long (that is after I had already pulled out an inch!!!). FIVE. No wonder it wasn't coming out when I pulled. Wash wash wash the wound and dress it with stuff, send me away with drugs, anti-nausea drugs (for when I take the drugs) and antibiotics. Like 2 drops of blood the whole time. Amazing. So my butt/leg is in pain, I'm taking pain meds and I feel like a total dork. I will say though, after knowing how much came out of there, I am DARN glad we called. All needles are now going to be stored in a nice needle carrier I will be making tomorrow. I will also never live it down. BUT, it's out and is quite a story. I don't like taking drugs and it seems so sad that my no-pain-med-for-childbirth self would take morphine but I have to tell you, it was worth it. Ouch. So that's my evening. __________________ ~Julie Momma to three boys and one wee sweet girl (born in June!) (UC'ing to two of them!) Co-artist of: Selah, and stocking every other Wed: Selah @ Inspired

05-28-2006, 02:19 AM	#2
Seylah Fluffo's Friend Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NW Washington Posts: 949 Reputation: 6388 Rep Power: 141	Julie, are you the same Julie I just saw this am at Jens?!! (Ha, its a small world!!!) This is just crazy, you poor thing! What a very crappy thing to have happen to you, and I promise Im not laughing...... Im sorry, I have always had a fear of that. I hope your leg heals really quickly I just cant believe it, 5 inches of #8 right in the leg? fricken OUCH! __________________ Lisa ~ Knittin' for my 3 rugrats #3 born nov 24th, wonderful ubac! SELAH Handmade, hand dyed goodness!

05-28-2006, 04:35 AM	#3
IrishBaby Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,952 Reputation: 17713 Rep Power: 399	HOLY FROZEN CARP -- Julie, you poor poor poor thing!!! That is so traumatizing. How are you feeling now? __________________ There's no such thing as too much yarn. Only not enough time.

05-28-2006, 05:03 AM	#4
raitch Fluffo's Fiancée Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Western MA Posts: 705 Reputation: 5962 Rep Power: 131	Oh my hell, you poor thing! But here's the really important question... what kind of needle was it? You poor thing! __________________ Rachel (30) WAHM to Charlotte (5) and Amelia (1) http://www.hyenacart.com/threebiesknits

05-28-2006, 05:32 AM	#5
ladydemetreis Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: VT Posts: 5,253 Reputation: 13663 Rep Power: 332	Goodness Julie!!! Thats a lotta needle to be in your leg, I'm surprized you did'nt feel it initially! Yeah, was this a wooden or aluminum needle? I'm glad your ok now. __________________ ~Rachel~ My Blog

05-28-2006, 06:15 AM	#6
trishshack I just yank too hard. Fluffo's Friend Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,139 Reputation: 6007 Rep Power: 137	Oh my how scary!

05-28-2006, 06:42 AM	#7
cvharris Fluffo's Friend Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 474 Reputation: 2255 Rep Power: 55	Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. 5 inches!!! Hope you are pain free now. __________________ Carolee, mama to two sweet boys

05-28-2006, 06:43 AM	#8
twouglyducks Mod Mama with a side of sour cream . I am not simmered up! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: OK Posts: 5,890 Reputation: 16664 Rep Power: 398	Yeah, HOLY crap!!!!! That is crazy!!! I hope you heal quickly. __________________ ~~ Davina ~ Home-Schooling mom to three ~~

05-28-2006, 07:13 AM	#9
pmcgary Mod McGary USM Queen Fluffo's Fiancée Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Greater Kansas City area Posts: 8,174 Reputation: 11615 Rep Power: 320	If it makes you feel any better- I know you aren't the only one to impale oneself with a knitting needle. My mom somehow managed to step on one and ram it all the way through her foot. Of course she hates doctors and removed it herself - and just ran lots of water over it... Her's was probably a short size 8.... I remember she did complain a lot about how much it hurt... Much sympathy to you.....maybe this will insure that the remainder of your pg and the delivery will remain drama (and relatively pain free)???????? __________________ PamM http://www.xanga.com/gorillakeeper (see my 'pictures a day ') "Knitting is learnt by doing, not by thinking, and it is far better understood with the fingers than with the head." Montse Stanley Creating & Knitting Your Own Designs For a Perfect Fit Critical Thought....The other national deficit.

05-28-2006, 08:06 AM	#10
aussie_knit Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 502 Reputation: 3524 Rep Power: 80	OUCHY!! my leg aches just reading about that! Hope you heal well and have an uneventful rest of your pregnancy __________________ Kris mama to my 2 little joeys I'm a wonder wahm! Monster Knits Monster Blog Find me on Ravelry

05-28-2006, 08:51 AM	#11
dandelions2 Fluffo's Friend Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Central California Posts: 4,301 Reputation: 8509 Rep Power: 220	OMG! I thought it was bad when I stabbed my ass with a crochet hook - but that wasn't even an inch and it hurt like hell. I can't imagine that! Reminder to me to be more careful. (((hugs))) __________________ Patti - Momma to Beth, Dom (ASD), & Lily

05-28-2006, 08:57 AM	#12
Jessica36 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,238 Reputation: 9048 Rep Power: 197	Ouch! See this is why I crochet more __________________ Jessica Lavender Longies and More, Ocean Blue Diapers See my Flickr!

05-28-2006, 09:34 AM	#14
BirthFree Join Date: May 2006 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 734 Reputation: 9340 Rep Power: 198	Lisa (Seylah) - it is! Wow, small world (and hello!!). It was an aluminum cheapie that I hated and it was 16" long (blech) - they gave me the piece that came out and it makes me feel icky to look at it. :shiver: I told them not to laugh at me when I left and they said they would, but not use my name when they told stories... and then when the Dr. pulled the needle out she looked at it and stared with her mouth open - she kept saying, "oh my gosh that is LONG!" Supposedly they haven't had someone who's done that in more than 10 years. I'm making a needle case to hold my needles today... way too freaky, I could have really hurt my baby if it had been in a different spot (yikes!). __________________ ~Julie Momma to three boys and one wee sweet girl (born in June!) (UC'ing to two of them!) Co-artist of: Selah, and stocking every other Wed: Selah @ Inspired

05-28-2006, 09:48 AM	#15
Mama Spruce Join Date: May 2005 Location: southern Oregon Posts: 164 Reputation: 1161 Rep Power: 30	Whoa. Crazy. I'm so sorry! Don't feel like an idiot. Like my dad says, that's why they call them accidents and not onpurposes. Healing vibes to you. __________________ Shannon, knittin' mama to one sweet boy born in March 2005

05-28-2006, 10:19 AM	#16
memiles Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Marysville, WA Posts: 628 Reputation: 809 Rep Power: 28	Good lord, that wins for best (and worst) knitting injury ever. :::::::shudder:::::::: As for the drugs, I too am a homebirthing mama. I had kidney stones during my last pregnancy. I decided, in my delirium, that God made medications for certain situations. Kidney stones and knee surgery were on my list previously, but I have now added "knitting needle impalement" Heal fast, mama! __________________ Megan, wahmama to Michael, Courtney, and Ellison Violet Lane

05-28-2006, 10:26 AM	#17
whitecalx Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Salem, OR Posts: 1,831 Reputation: 6523 Rep Power: 155	Oh my goodness! How did that even get in your leg to begin with? It seems like it would take a ton of force to get an object as blunt as a knitting needle through skin. I'm feeling a bit queasy thinking about it! __________________ Megan Knits Blog My Ravelry Mama to dd(7), ds(4), and baby girl(1).

05-28-2006, 12:58 PM	#18
spacestitch Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 248 Reputation: 5834 Rep Power: 123	Oh my god! I've never heard of anything like that. I'm glad you are ok! Liane __________________ Liane due 7/08 spacestitch

05-28-2006, 03:16 PM	#19
Dawn Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 351 Reputation: 5663 Rep Power: 122	ack! hope you heal up fast! __________________ ~Dawn~ Mama to Olivia 14, Jamie 11, and Elliana 4 and baby Dashel

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