I'm back.


My saw and sawblade


German Deutsche Mark


Actially, we didn't go to the hospital. Roxann works for a foot doctor. He agreed to see me for free after the patients were done for the day.

If you didn't read my last post, I had an accident today while cutting coins. A sawblade went right through my finger and was stuck there. The blades are small, and have teeth on them. I tried (and it hurt like hell) to yank it out with pliers. No way that was gonna work. Actually this happens alot, and usually I can get it out. Today there was no doing that.

Well the doctor first wanted "X-Rays", so I got those. It revealed that it was right in the middle of the joint. A funny thing also, the X-rays showed I have "8 or 9" other pieces of blades lodged in my hand. Those were from cutting coins for the past 24 years. Previous injuries. I knew I had one blade in there, but that many.. lol. Two small pieces were right next to this big piece that was basically through the finger.

It wasn't quite through the other side. You could see the end, just under skin. Due to the "teeth", we decided it would be best to pull it from the opposite direction from where it went in. I suggested this.

So I needed my hand "numbed". The doc gave me 5 shots in my hand to completely numb it (That hurt more then the blade going in.. lol). Then he had to make a cut on the opposite end to pull it out. See, if it was pulled out from the other end.. it would "rip" it's way out. He is still concerned with the two small pieces lodged in the joint, but they are most likely from before. They never bothered me. This piece came out all in one.. so maybe we won't have to worry about it.

The blade extracted today was over an inch long. The pieces left (that will remain till I die probably) are only 2-5 mm.
I posted a pic, so you can see the saw I use. The blade is "tiny". 3/0 (thousandths of an inch) to 6/0. May not look like much, but this is a very sharp saw. The teeth can cut through most anything.

He put me on antibiotics. He said I'd need about 10 days worth (4 Keflex a day), but he gave a refill too in-case I needed them. What he didn't have in the office was "Tetnus" shots. I can't remember my last.. I think I need them. I'll probably go tomorrow and get one from the Health department. That will be cheap or free. So the whole cost of this is basically nothing. Had I went to the ER, it would have been $500+. I think I got a good deal. The antibotics were free too. Meijer has certain brands free for those not insured.

The doctor looked at me, and said "You don't remember me". He went on to tell me he bought a "German Deutsche Mark" (Cut and Gold plated) from me years ago. He said he loved it but it got stolen. Right now I can't get my cuts gold plated. I can, but I have to get 100 at a time. And people normally don't buy them much now. I can find a "German Deutsche Mark". They are rare, and expensive. But I can get one. So we're gonna get one, and cut it for free.

It was SUPER cool he did this for me. Afterhours even. It's the least I can do.

So all you can stop your "crying and sobbing" for me. I am OK!!

Gary :) :)