Chiff and Fipple Forums

I was cutting up an onion this evening for supper and managed to slice off part of the end of my left middle finger. Just a little on the side (like 10 to noon if I hold it up palm facing me), but enough that it bled like hell and is still bleeding 3 hours later.

That's not so stupid. What follows is what makes it stupid. It's not nearly as bad as last time. Last time was before I played the flute, but I think I was off the whistle for about 6 weeks.

I can't believe I did this twice, although it's not exactly the same as last time, which was slicing lettuce. (Coincidentally, my brother cut off the end of his finger slicing lettuce.) My wife heard me scream and asked jokingly, "Do I need to get a panty liner?" The answer was an embarrassed yes. They're great for something bleeding profusely.

So about a month worth of listening before I can play again.

Hey Chas,

Do I need to send you one of these?

Keep all your digits intact with the Rapala Fillet Glove. A comfy blend of natural and synthetic fibers with stainless steel provides the best protection ever.

I know it's a bit late.

Here's to healthy healing! Take a bit of pain killer.

Jordan

OUCH!!!!
Maybe you can get a neoprene bandage that will seal the tone hole, when you play? When I cut my finger a while back, I experimented with duck tape and electrical tape to try to get a good seal, on the band aid. Of course you couldn't try this right away, as it would hurt to much.

Ah, Charlie...the Neil Young school of slicing...

Hey Charlie,

You may want to treat yourself to an emergency room visit, just to be on the safe side. After all, you want to be back to playing as soon as possible, right?

After you come back from the ER, you will probably need a beeranquilizer, (unless they prescribed something), so go easy, and hope for the best!

I cut myself the other day while preparing a meal, just because I didn't want to take the time to do it right-and it's just not worth it!-and my advice to others in the same situation-take the time, you'll regret it if you don't!

Fast healing, Charlie-but definitely get it checked out-you may need a stitch or two to help it along.

Be well, ~Barry

One is supposed to TEAR lettuce! Not slice it! Tsk!

Lambchop wrote:One is supposed to TEAR lettuce! Not slice it! Tsk!

Exactly my thought. Or, they make plastic lettuce knives for this. Get better Chas.

And, BTW, ALWAYS have the blender unplugged when adding food. Put the lid on before plugging it in. I was grinding some graham crackers for a cheesecake crust (nearly 30 years ago), and feeding them in from the top. Blade grabbed the cracker and pulled it down, and I just didn't have enough time to let go. I still have the scar, but did not lose the finger tip.

Kevin Krell

I wish you the prompt restoration! Take care!

kkrell wrote:I was grinding some graham crackers for a cheesecake crust (nearly 30 years ago), and feeding them in from the top. Blade grabbed the cracker and pulled it down, and I just didn't have enough time to let go. I still have the scar, but did not lose the finger tip.

Cheesecake making is a risky business but someone has to do it!

I have had some minor finger mishaps lately myself.

Careful, everyone!

a couple of years ago, i had a major finger cutting accident just moments before we were to go to church so that i could play the guitar at Mass. my finger way still bleeding and seeping through the bandage. there was no way i was going to play a guitar, so i got to play the harmonica all through Mass. (this was before i learned to play the whistle.) i just told folks i was really holy and developed stigmata.

I got bitten twice by a parrot today. It wasn't too keen on me moving it's cage back to where it was... took quite a large chunk of skin off the pad of my 2nd finger on my left hand, and at one of the creases. Yes, it got me twice before i could move my hand away

No playing anything for a while.

Hope you discover some nice music in the month ahead Chas.

Thanks for all the well-wishes. To answer a few comments:

Jordan, I just might consider Kevlar gloves. Another in the long line of stupid hings I've done was when I was working in a metal shop years ago. I was sanding pieces on a belt sander. They were hot off the press and still very oily, and they were, I thought, too slippery to handle with gloves on. I sanded off the ends of four fingers before I wised up. (This is a particularly nasty injury, as it's 75% cut and 75% burn.) I started wearing gloves and worked about 90% as fast. I don't wear gloves in the kitchen because I don't think I could handle the food properly, but I bet once I try them I'm sure I'll be fine.

Lamby, Kevin, whether I slice lettuce or not depends on what it's being used for. I like it shredded really fine for tacos or burritos, much finer than I could ever tear it. For everything else, I do tear it.

Jon, great suggestion for the neoprene bandage!

Many thanks and best wishes to all.

I've heard it said that the only difference between chopping up an onion and a bodhrán (or is it a flute? - depends on who you listen to) is that you only cry when chopping up an onion. I don't know whether this applies to fingers. I'd say it might.

sclery wrote:I got bitten twice by a parrot today. It wasn't too keen on me moving it's cage back to where it was... took quite a large chunk of skin off the pad of my 2nd finger on my left hand, and at one of the creases. Yes, it got me twice before i could move my hand away

No playing anything for a while.

Hope you discover some nice music in the month ahead Chas.

You must have one of the larger parrots. That's risky.
My little conure can give a nasty little bite, but he has yet to tear off a chunk of flesh.....

Chas, my sympathies. It must throb like a mother..........

M

My old friend Arnold Steinhart is in the top echelon of classical violin players. In the sixties he went climbing in the Alps with a mountain guide. He told me that as he was climbing two thoughts came to him: first, that he might damage his hand and not be able to play the fiddle any more. The second thought was one of relief, that if he did hurt his hand badly he would be able to live a normal life.
So chas, enjoy being normal while you can.