DS Smashes Hand, Has Surgery

15 years ago

Our DS had a 40' ladder collapse on his hand last Saturday (day before Easter). It was one of those multi-sectional ladders with a rope to lower each section. The rope broke. He was wearing leather work gloves but they were not enough protection. The paramedics had to cut the ladder to free his hand. They took him, by ambulance, 40 miles to a trauma-center hospital with a hand surgeon on staff. Multiple broken bones, the flesh was torn off, & just sorta hanging. I won't be any more graphic. We didn't know if amputation would be necessary for several hours.

Anyway, the trauma folks did what they could, got him started on antibiotics, & bandaged him up best they could. This morning, at 6:30 a.m., he had hand reconstruction surgery. I am soooo happy to say that it was a complete success!!! The surgeon expects him to make a full recovery. His pinkie will be a bit funky looking but what a small price compared to what might have been. He's going to be bandaged up for about 8 weeks.

Now, for my question. Our Easter dinner was cancelled, obviously. I made an ice cream cake...something new to me. I've wrapped it with plastic wrap & then foil. It's in the big freezer (set at zero). How long will this thing keep without developing an off taste like old ice cream? Will it keep for a few weeks until DS & family gets to Mystic or do I need to give it away???

Thanks,

/tricia

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (26)

annie1992
15 years ago
Tricia, good luck to your son, I busted up my left hand in a punch press a million years ago in another life, while I was still working the line making Hush Puppy shoes. The doc told me nothing was more painful other than a lower back injury because of all the nerve endings in fingers. He's gonna hurt like crazy.

As for the cake, I think it'll be fine, as long as it is wrapped well and not kept longer than a month or so.

Annie
lsr2002
15 years ago
I can't help with the cake storage question but I'm sending good thoughts and prayers to your son. I'm glad the surgery was a success - I'll bet there is lots of therapy ahead. After reading Annie's post, all I can add is OUCH!

Lee
Related Discussions
My surgery is tomorrow, wish doc a steady hand!
Q
Comments (45)
I double your yipee!!! I am set to see my onc Thurs. All the good docs are booked out a month. Don't know why the surgeons don't get the referrals started day after surgery. I was going to ask but onc offices said they could get me in quickly depending on urgency. The one I am seeing managed to get me in quickly, kinda held the spot for me. You really do attract more bees with honey than lemon. My dh is going to ask the top doc where he works what he thinks about my case and my onc's recommendations. I will also get a second opinion too. I also know a head onc nurse who I will ask about my second opinion doc. All the docs I am looking at were awarded Top Docs by their peers in recent years. It really helps to ask around. Also, my dh has come up with some really great things to discuss with my docs. Because my dh is also a microbiologist he sees things from a biological prospective also, not just as a treater. He combed my pathology report way closer than my surgeon did. That could be because only certain parts applied to her and my onc will go over the rest, but it would have been important stuff to point out to a patient not fortunate enough to have a dh like mine. Once again, advice to others "go over everthing and ask what everthing means." Coordinating care is so hard. At work we use nurse case managers. When I had a guy who could not see his doc for a month, my nurse got him in the next day. But when I need to set my own appt it takes forever. My dh is my designated hitter when I have problems. It helps. I ran into issues with my insurance. They sent my referral to a facility which my doc does not even work at. My surgeon gave them mis information but they never bothered to make sure they were sending it to the right place. We immediately called ins (dh had to interceed) and explain to them how they did it wrong. That was Friday. This morning my doc still did not have my referral. Talk about a pain. I had to have my surgeon's scheduler (the problem person) redo the referral. Luckily she is on the ball this time so I should be set to go. I have been checking out some sites to see what I am really heading into. A chemo port, yuck but supposedly best way to go, will leave yet another scar on my chest. Guess I won't be going topless this year! lol! I don't like going into things blindly so I research and ask lots of questions. Surprises are no fun for me. My family is great so far. Well at least the ones I can always count on. My oldest sis lives 6miles away and even came to my son's scounting events recently. My mid sis is in So Cal but calls often and is planning to come up and help clean or just hang out cooking/freezing food for later. My bro is distant. I sent him a card telling him my diagnosis and he sent this really weird mushy letter. (For those who don't recall, he and I had an issue 3.5yrs ago and since then he has done several very cruel and hurtfull things to myself, my sisters and their kids. I have not tried to patch things us and my mom pretends like he is a god. She will not tell him he was mean because she actually likes conflict, sick I know. I planned on sending him a letter telling him it was time to get over it and make up, then this happened to me and I don't have the energy right now to fix all this). He mentioned wanting to see me, not because of my cancer, but because he loves me. I emailed him my info and surgery date. He has not replied nor contacted me. My dad is so sweet. I plan to go see him next chance I get as he goes to my oldest sis' house weekly. My mom, well, she is who she is. I told my oldest sis that if I were on my deathbed mom would expect me to call her and let her know. Mom would not call me. When I updated her on my surgery she was really happy about my being home but had to go because she was cooking a burger. I know she loves me but just does not know how to show it. I have another sis that we have been forbidden to speak to, mom and her have issues and mom demanded we ignore her for last 20 or so years. I have contacted her here and there. My mid sis defies mom and does have a relationship with her. I think I will start pen-paling her. She is really hard to deal with, very emotional and dependent. I think an email start would be good for her. We can chat without having to deal with her emotional issues. She really is sweet and was really touched that I reached out to her about my condition. DH is hanging in there but I can tell this is starting to take it's toll. He deals with dialysis patients all day long. To have him sit with me during my chemo is going to be so hard on him. He keeps saying he wishes he could take this all away from me but can't. I read a blog on a guy who would take his wife out for a lunch date after each treatment. I guess he felt pretty good right afterwards and took advantage of the moment. My coworker's husband had to go on prozac to manage his depression from his wife's treatment. Hopefully spring will be here soon and sunshine will make my dh feel better. I think before I start my treatment we will go get his new kayak. He loves being on the water, gives him time to be at peace and in such beautiful surroundings. I know I should not worry about him but I do. I know he feels guilty leaving me at home but I keep telling him that he has to do it FOR ME to know he is ok so I can be ok.
...See More
Ideas on how to get DS help?
Q
Comments (18)
I would fight tooth and nail for my TENS machine. Eric on the other hand does not like it for his back. I would recommend your son check with a chiropractor or PT person (they might be cheaper than an MD to make sure it is safe for him to use one. I crank mine up until the feeling of the electrical shock overpowers the pain, then I can function. You have to be very careful not to overdo things just because you may not be hurting as bad. I cannot drive on back pain meds and don't really like how they make me feel so this is a God's send! I reuse the electrodes- just put a band-aid across them when the sticky starts to go. One set (4) of electrodes lasted me the two months of recovery from the herniated disc. Below is a link to the unit I have. It is by far the cheapest I have found and the quality is just as good as the $3,000 one that insurance bought my mom in 1991. (I lost that one a couple of years ago) http://www.lgmedsupply.com/tenslg3000kit.html
...See More
Missed sgrandkids bdays, DS6 sick_what now?
Q
Comments (48)
lamom, I'm glad your little warrior is feeling good today. I know you are making use of every minute that he feels good and has energy. Have fun today. Face/neck radiation is probably the most difficult to deal with, because not eating/drinking well affects EVERY other aspect of life. All I can say is hang in there. The radiation effect will get worse before it gets better, but it will get better. One of my current patients (almost 6) also struggled alot during his neck/face XRT, and lost lots of weight. He did much better with a G-tube for feedings, and felt so much better. If you haven't already considered that, I'd ask your PedOnc about it. Where is he being treated? I'm sorry your SS is such a pud. Some people never really learn...or are never taught. But I'm really glad that you were able to put your feelings about him aside long enough to acknowlege your grandkids birthdays. Grammas and grampas are so, so important for kids. This year, my FIL and his not-so-charming 4th wife, ignored my oldest (not their's, biologically) and our youngest (yes, she's theirs!) for Christmas. For whatever reason, they are snuggled up tight with DH's exwife and her husband. They didn't like the fact that SD wanted to come live here, and that DH helped her make it happen. They assumed we were pushing her or forcing her, or whatever. So they "punished" DH by not sending Christmas gifts to 2 of our kids---sent them for both of DH's kids w/EW....at EW's home. Both kids live here. And get this, the wife was never even MIL to exwife...go figure. I guess the point I am trying to make is that the kids don't understand why you wouldn't celebrate/acknowlege their special day. Our little one certainly didn't understand why Gramma & Grampa didn't send her anything for Christmas. I felt sad for her. I just cannot understand why they would do such a thing, even if they don't agree with the custody change.
...See More
DS surgery update
Q
Comments (11)
LOL Moonie! I had to read your post a second time to catch your mistake. Sjerin-The stents are permanent.We don't know when he will be going home.They moved him to a private room today and will start PT tomorrow.DDIL told them we weren't bringing him home this time until he was able to walk around and do things for himself! That was what started all this in the first place.He was suppose to be getting up and walking several times a day but was staying in bed or sitting in his recliner all the time.I think he has learned his lesson.I think he realizes how close he came to being dead.If he hadn't had that filter he would be dead! As for me and DH,we are about ready to disappear for a while! Two babies in the "terrible two's" stage on top of everything else is about to get the best of us old people!LOL Hopefully everything will smooth out in a few weeks though and things will get back to normal,whatever that is! I'm seriously contemplating a few days of daycare for the two little monsters so I can get some rest.LOL Not really.They are actually pretty good most of the time but they do have their moments and can be a handful.We will make it though!
...See More
Bizzo
15 years ago
I'm thinking about your son. Wow! So lucky to be able to save his hand. What a blessing. I'll be praying for as easy a recovery as possible. I can only imaging losing a hand... .:(

Like Annie said, so long as it's airtight, the ice cream should be fine for the next several weeks...
triciae
Original Author
15 years ago
I think we are all still sorta in shock. It seems a bit surreal. Accidents happen so quick, so unexpected. I guess that's what makes them accidents, huh?

He's not in pain...yet. The nerves were severed. They juiced him up in the hospital with IVs but took him off a couple hours later 'cause no pain was registering. Frankly, we're hoping today, after the anethesia wears off, there is pain. That would be a good thing.

The surgeon seemed very confident that he'd have function in the hand but it's going to take awhile for it to heal. American doctors excel at trauma care. I wish they were as good at chronic illness.

Thanks for the info on the ice cream cake. Maybe, we'll pack ice around that cake & try to take it to them!

/tricia
wizardnm
15 years ago
Horror, shock, to Thank God! What a scary thing to have happen.

Hope he is in pain by now.

Nancy
mustangs81
15 years ago
What a terrible accident, that sounds awful! I hope the kids didn't see it happen.

Could you use the cake for icing the hand?
triciae
Original Author
15 years ago
Yes, Cathy. The two older kids did see it happen. Too soon to really know how it's going to affect them? Alice has had one nightmare & Ethan's not said a word...doesn't want to talk about it. So, I'm more worried about Ethan. He's six. Old enough to have fears. Alice is eight & she's wanting to know every detail about the surgery & his hand...constant questions & won't settle for a brush-off type answer...wants those details. Sam, at three, fortunately was inside & didn't see anything except the ambulance.

/t
foodonastump
15 years ago
Tricia, I had a similar incident except it was the pulley, not the rope, that broke off. In my case I didn't suffer more than a pinch and a bruise but I tell you, ever since I really dislike extension ladders and treat them with every bit as much caution as any power tool.

Wrapped in plastic then foil I'm thinking your cake is safe from off flavors and at worst will get some minor freezer burn in that time period.

Best of luck to your son. (And your cake.)
claire_de_luna
15 years ago
Tricia, Oh wow. I'm grateful your family is still intact! When you have that ice cream cake, it will be a true celebration.
doucanoe
15 years ago
Oh my! What a horrible thing to have happen! I am so glad he did not lose the hand nor the use of it.

Your cake question has already been answered but I do want to add my best wishes to your son for a speedy and (relatively) pain free recovery!

Linda
partst
15 years ago
TriciaÂ. Sending healing wishes and thought for a speedy and full recovery for your son. What a terrible thing to happen. The grandkids will probably be fine once he is home and they see that he is OK. I had surgery on my little finger when I was 16 and boy it did hurt like heck. The feeling didnÂt come back for over a year. DH has had hand surgery twice and didnÂt have any pain at all but it still took months for the feeling to come back.

If you want to take the cake when you visit wrap it in several layers of news paper and pack it in dry ice.

Claudia
lindac
15 years ago
Ach!! And more ach!....and a little ick too!!
My SIL....daughter's husband did something like that about 6 years ago... Was going to list the house and got up on the roof to clean the gutters and stepped off....fell 10 feet and landed on one leg....totally trashed his ankle....but after touch and go for 6 to 9 months, he still has 2 feet! And is alive which after one bout with osteo myelitis was questionable!
After he was somewhat stable, I asked him "what did you learn from this?"....he said that I have many good friends and reletives who support me and are praying for me"
I told him..."no, lawyer dudes should stay off the roof...and hire someone who knows about ladders and roofs, just as people who dont' know about law hire you!, but we still love and support you."
I wasn't the only one who told him that....so I hope it sunk in!
Your son has my prayers and good wishes.
Linda C
compumom
15 years ago
Oh no! I'm sending all the good thoughts and energy I can to aid in his complete recovery! What a terrible accident, but you sound quite optimistic that he'll be almost as good as new. All the best to him and the family!
mitchdesj
15 years ago
what a story, all the best of luck to him with this recovery.
brenda55
15 years ago
What a freak accident. I am glad the prognosis is good. He and his family will be in my prayers.
User
15 years ago
Oh Tricia that is horrible, sedning my wishes for a speedy recovery.

As for the cake.......my experience is they don't hold long I think becasue the ice cream is brought to a fairly warm temp to mold. Week, maybe two at best.
bunnyman
15 years ago
Ouch!... hope he heals up fast.

: )
lyra
trixietx
15 years ago
Praying your son will have a full and speedy recovery. That is just terrible. My thoughts are also with the children, that is just awful, and you of course.
Terri_PacNW
15 years ago
I would say answer all her questions with precise answers. I have an almost 9 year old, and he can handle the "basic" truth.
Thank God he had those leather gloves on. They atleast kept his hand "intact".

I agree that once he's home, and mending and the bandages are replaced with therapy grippy balls and such, the middle child will "heal" too.

The cake will be fine as you have it, for more than a few weeks.
sally2_gw
15 years ago
I read this the other day but was in a hurry, then forgot I hadn't already posted. I hope your DH's hand heals completely.

Children are tougher than we usually give them credit for. I agree with Terri about answering the questions to the best of your ability. Maybe the doctor would be willing to do this. When I was around 11 I cut my knee open, and helped the doctor stitch it up. A little different situation as it's easier to deal with your own hurts than a loved one's, especially Dad's boo boos.

Sally
lindac
15 years ago
Tricia, how's your son doing?
Linda C
triciae
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for asking. He's home & trying to work. He's a rep for a large medical equipment company & works from a home office. Using his laptop is difficult & slow. He's frustrated but his attitude is great.

The pain is variable. Sometimes, it hurts sending jolts up his arm & burning but other times it feels numb. He says I don't want to see it &, for now, I'm taking him at his word! He was at the doctor's first thing this morning & I haven't heard from him yet...

The kids seem to be settled down. My GD (age 8) is playing nurse wanting to take his temperature & "help" change bandages. :) They moved a couple days after Christmas & not all of the kid's toys are unpacked. She spent half a day in the basement rummaging for her nurse kit. How cute is that?! Her oldest brother wants just Dad to read his bedtime stories & turns the pages for him. Sam (just turned 3 April 1) just points & says, "Pappa has a boo-boo". Kids are amazing.

/tricia
kathleen_li
15 years ago
Mud, malaria, and mortgage..an expression of my mom's when cwap like this happens...
Sorry, I am just seeing this..hope he is on the mend...and the pain..not good..gdau playing nurse..so cute
Prayers for a full recovery!
proudmamato4
15 years ago
Oh, Tricia. I'm so sorry to hear about your son. But I'm glad that the surgery is predicted to be a total success. I've been meaning to email you to see how the cake turned out. Now I know why I didn't hear anything about it. I also think the cake will be fine wrapped up. I hope everyone likes it.

xx
Nancy
caliloo
15 years ago
Tricia

I hope your DS is healing well - I can't even imagine how much that must hurt (even with severed nerves). And what a sweetie your GD is - findhing her nurse kit to take care of her Dad!

Healing energy going to you and your family - and yes, I bet the ice cream cake will be awesome!

Alexa
sally2_gw
15 years ago
This just goes to show what happens when I try to post when I'm also trying to run out the door. I got mixed up and was thinking it was your husband that was hurt. Sorry about that.

Your grandkids sound so cute - of course!

Sally

DS Smashes Hand, Has Surgery

Comments (26)

annie1992

lsr2002

Related Discussions

Bizzo

triciae
Original Author

wizardnm

mustangs81

triciae
Original Author

foodonastump

claire_de_luna

doucanoe

partst

lindac

compumom

mitchdesj

brenda55

User

bunnyman

trixietx

Terri_PacNW

sally2_gw

lindac

triciae
Original Author

kathleen_li

proudmamato4

caliloo

sally2_gw

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

DS Smashes Hand, Has Surgery

Comments (26)

Related Discussions

triciaeOriginal Author

triciaeOriginal Author

triciaeOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

triciae
Original Author

triciae
Original Author

triciae
Original Author