The lesson I have learnt

Category: Lessons in my life | Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:09 am

I have learnt my lesson - the hard way.
Last time I could Stew was when I stated by new blog and my son just left after his visit. Naturally I had a lot of catching up to do in both the garden, which was beginning to look and feel neglected, and running, swimming, and not to mention stewing with the stewbies.

With no one at home at the time, I thought that I would start by deadheading the roses, and cleaning up around the Zantedeschias. Thus I set out on my garden rehab quest, armed with my little bin, wearing my garden gloves and a new pair of open secateurs in my hand. Just as I was making my way out of the kitchen, my ankle gave way and I started falling and could not stop and break my fall. When I looked down, I just saw the blade of the secateurs lodging itself in my lower right arm.

With no one at home, but myself, I wrapped up my arm and called my sister who lives in another suburb not too far, say about 10 minutes drive, away from me, she then drove me to hospital. It is quicker than calling for an ambulance and having to wait on them.
At the hospital they fixed me up with 7 staples all along the inside of my right arm about 10 centimeters up from my wrist. Gosh, the doctors told me it was a hairs breadth away from the main tendons and arteries. Then only it struck me, what if?!

Alas, that is why I have been absent. Every time I tried to it pulls on the staples. The staples came out yesterday.

It serves as a good warning...

I should never have had the secateurs open in my hand carrying a little bin with my garden gloves on.

When I stepped out of the kitchen into that back yard, on the little step, the dogs left some of their toys and that is what caused my fall.

So, that's my news and the lesson that I learnt the hard way, and why I have been away from the forum, which I have missed.

Last edited: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:11 am

This blog entry has been viewed 761 times

Comments (11) | Leave a Comment

You're reading one of many blogs on GardenStew.com.
Register for free and start your own blog today.

Comments

Sjoerd wrote on Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:18 am:

Good Grief, Palm!!!!
I was aware that you had not been posting, but I never dreamed that it was something like this. You were unlucky and lucky at the same time. Whew!
Well, it's good to hear from you even though the story is a bit disturbing.
Take good care of that forearm and keep your fingers working and limber so that you can post. heh heh heh :)...that garden can wait a bit longer.

eileen wrote on Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:13 pm:

Gosh I thought your were just busy getting ready for Christmas and then with the festive season itself. If I have to carry anything sharp out into the garden then I make a little 'hood' to cover the blades - not much use to you now though worst luck. I really hope your arm heals well and that you don't have any problems with it in the future. You were certainly lucky you didn't do more damage to yourself. It's lovely to have you back again PalmTree and posting here at The Stew.

Take care with those doggie toys as we don't want you tohave any more accidents.

Frank wrote on Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:43 pm:

Wow Palm, sorry to hear about your accident *shock* It could have been much worse but it certainly doesn't sound too pleasant as it is. Thanks for sharing your story as it may save someone the same misfortune.

Great to have you back with us. Don't but your arm under too much strain, we'll understand if you don't make it here every day.

Heal soon,
// frank

Netty wrote on Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:33 pm:

Sounds like you learned the hard way! And I think I'll be thinking about that when I'm gardening again...I can be quite careless. In fact I once put a picthfork thru the end of my boot thankfully missing my toes.
I was much more careful after that close call.
Glad to see you back Palm Tree and please BE CAREFUL!

toni wrote on Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:49 pm:

Glad to see you back Palm Tree, sorry to hear about the reason you were away from us. I was hoping you got a chance for a last minute vacation trip or something fun.

My biggest "trip up" out in the yard is the hose, that's going to be rectified this spring.

dirt2diamonds wrote on Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:08 pm:

Glad you have recovered and returned. I don't know your age, but I am in my 40's and a fall itself is rough on the body let alone a stabing injury.

Stay safe in 08.

Droopy wrote on Mon Jan 14, 2008 4:18 pm:

Now what did you go and do that for! I have missed you very much, I've wondered about what you've been up to and I'm glad you are back. The saying goes "Whatever doesn't kill you will make you stronger", and I hope that's true for you too. Be careful from now on, please?

dooley wrote on Mon Jan 14, 2008 5:29 pm:

Oh, I'm glad you are healing enough for the staples to come out. I guess you didn't get your garden work done. It's too bad we can't all pitch in and help. Virtual gardening? My biggest garden mistake is trying to get it all done in one day and ending up with aches and pains for the next week. Hope it doesn't give you more aches. dooley

glendann wrote on Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:06 am:

Good gosh ,I'm sorry to hear about your hard lesson.I'm glad you are healing as well as you are and glad you are back with us.

Palm Tree wrote on Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:16 am:

Gosh I really missed all of you.
Thanks for all the well-wishes. My mom told me that it seems that I just want to learn from experience. Ha Ha. And I could not even refute that.
I am on the mend. and I think I will no mend much easier.
Oh D2D - I am also in the forties - I will however not divulge which side of the forties.
No wonder I missed the Stew so much - thanks again everyone for your concern.

zuzu's petals wrote on Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:38 pm:

Yike!! o_O Poor PalmTree!!

I recently nipped a chunk off the tip of my left index finger
with my freshly sharpened secateurs,
and was feeling quite sorry for myself.
I also had difficulty typing for a while.

I can only IMAGINE the shock and pain
of actually impaling your forearm!
I'm so glad that your luck was good enough to avoid
that location that the Dr. described!!

I'm so glad to see you back with us,
and I hope your recovery continues quickly.