Why Stitches?

I am notorious for sewing my fingers, rotary cutting my hand, and running into doors. I purchased a new Brother Luminaire XP1 Sewing and Embroidery machine last winter from Quality Sewing and Vacuum (shout out to #QualitySewingandVacuumTukwilla) here in the Seattle area. This has more bells and whistles of any machine I have ever owned. Of course, I needed (not Wanted) the extra large embroidery hoop ( 10 5/8 by 16). It cost more than my first 3 cars combined. They financed it over 60 months at Interest Free Credit. I saved my pennies and paid it off in 18 months. Well, my LUMI (that’s her name) sews at 1050 stitches a minute. That is right up there with my Singer 301 (Twyla) at 1000 stitches a minute. Watch for ‘Sewing Machine Saga’ in an upcoming post. I was rushing to finish Anita Goodesign ‘A Christmas Tree Tile Screen’ with border from ‘Christmas Blocks and Borders’ when I broke off a Chrome Schmetz Embroidery needle in my finger. At first, I thought that’s ok, it is not bleeding on my linen border but as I looked for the tip of the needle and realized it was still in my finger. On No, a trip to Urgent Care, my Guy was watching the Seahawks game and begrudgingly asked ‘Do I need to drive you?’ He knew the answer to that one. Thank goodness, most people were not at Urgent Care but at home watching the game. Meanwhile, my Guy is watching the game on his phone. The ARNP did an ultrasound to see the needle tip but since it penetrated from nail side through but did not exit the skin on other side. First came the numbing medication which stung like the devil. She opened the skin in an X trying to grip the point which is slick. That is why I use Chrome needles. No luck and off to the ER down the street. At least most people are still at home watching the game, so we got back in the procedure room quickly. My Guy went to the room with me so he could watch the game on the TV rather than his phone. Glad I am not interfering with the game. In comes the Doc, who decided to grab an Xray to see where it is located and if it is embedded in the bone. As a RN, I know that in the bone means surgery and I have too many gifts to finish. That is where my priorities are. Good news, the needle tip is not in the bone and is close to the skin on the pad of my finger. More numbing which evoked squeals from me, so a nerve block was inserted. Let me tell you, I have done Natural Childbirth for 5 deliveries and taught Childbirth Classes for 20 years and that block HURT.

My Guy turned up the game. She cut another X in my finger pad. Dig, Dig, Dig. Slippery needles, I explain composition of Chrome needles. Dig, Dig, Dig. She leaves the room and we wait. My Guy is watching the game. I am doing square breathing. The Doc comes back to the room. She explains that she has called the Surgeon and he will be there in 15 minutes. So, 30 minutes and 2 touchdowns later, in comes the Surgeon. Hmm, Hmm. As he looks at Xray, does his own ultrasound. Hmm’s some more. Watches the game with My Guy as they discuss how great the game is. Great, my finger and I would like to discuss the PLAN. Surgeon holds my other hand to discuss why I need surgery. That means anesthesia (put to sleep) in the OR. Nope, Nope, Nope. The negotiating begins. Me: What about Conscious Sedation in the Procedure Room? Him: No, how about Conscious Sedation in the OR? Me: Since I have a nerve block and will practice my childbirth breathing, we just go for it here. Yeah…Another Touchdown. Him: You are a RN, aren’t you? OK, let me go get some surgical instruments. Thirty minutes pass, more exciting game highlights from My Guy. Sure Surgeon watching TV in Doc’s Lounge. Here comes Surgeon, in Scrubs including hat and booties. Followed by a scrub nurse carrying the instrument tray still wrapped in Sterile wrap. Me: Worried. Let the Surgery Begin. He attempts to grab the tip with smaller and smaller instruments. Now he focuses using his surgery loops and the tiniest tool, I have ever seen. Dig, Dig, Dig. Eureka. Got it. Three tiny stitches in my finger. Whew, next step was to OR but he pulled it off.

Good thing the Game is over so My Guy can drive me home. Love Grammie Faith in Stitches