What not to do at social sewing.

Warning this post is not for the faint of heart or squeamish.
If this is you, please do not read below, think of prancing unicorns in a field of pansies or something similar.



All fun and games until someone gets hurt.

Last Saturday morning I was at GJ's for the social sewing, having walked to Rathdowne and back with Sarah and Jennette to see if I could use my scoopon.

As I was making up the stairs, I was dragging my sewing trolley case to the room we sew in, one third of the way up, I decided to carry it instead of dragging it as it felt unsteady, I knew the base poles popped out now and again, however what I didn't realise that they had come loose and were dragging on the floor. As I swung it up passing it over from my right to left hand, I felt the case poles scratch at my left leg, and then catch on my dress, inhibiting my movement up the stairs, I looked down at my leg as I thought I had scratched it, to my alarm I saw open skin, but at this stage no blood. I called for Rachel, using a normal voice not really alerting anyone to my issue.
I became extremely hot, and started sweating (I know I'm a fainter in certain situations). I started calling out again, to her and to anyone for help.

Rachel quickly came, I told her I was in some trouble and asked her to detach my dress from the case and take my case, the darling thing practically threw it up the stairs. :)

Some staff came to assist us, they made me sit down, someone suggested calling an ambulance which I believed I scoffed at until Rachel piped up and said "no, I think you need an ambulance",  I looked at my leg and then started agreeing with all of them. I needed an ambulance as the cut on my leg was not a scratch is a was a gash! A great big bloody 10cm by 1cm gash, and boy was it a bleeder!

Angie and the staff were fantastic and GJ's first aid kit is so well stocked, if you have to injure yourself you might as well do it there, as they provide great help. In all seriousness, please don't.

I feel bad that I didn't even get a chance to pay my $10 before I started bleeding on the store's floor - thankfully I have been told they have managed to get the blood off the steps before lunch time. For anyone who had to walk over it, I apologise and you should of seen my shoes. :)

Vanessa and Grant were the paramedics that took me and Rachel (who selfless volunteered to come with me) to St.Vincents hospital (shortest waiting time) they were lovely and very helpful, and I was grateful to have them there assisting me, I think paramedics do a wonderful job. I have never ridden in an ambulance before, I didn't really enjoy myself as much as I thought I would, I could feel the adrenaline fading once I had to lay down. I got given some horrible pain medication to snort up my nose, it did nothing except make me feel sick.

Once we got to St.Vincent's we had to wait about 3 hours to see a doctor, I think I would of left, if it wasn't for Rachel, who kept me entertained and fed, I can honestly say I will never knit but I can certainly see the attraction. We have both agreed she has done her allotted time waiting in hospitals for the year.

Once we were in the emergency area, we waited a further hour for a bed, I was a little frustrated with how long the staff seemed to be taking, as I was well and truly over hospitals, waiting areas and wounds by that stage, I can only imagine how Rachel felt. 

We finally got a bed and within half an hour I was well and truly stitched up, although I got jabbed about 6 times with a local anesthetic to numb my wound. That was painful! I had bottom stitches and 10 surface stitches as it was deep cut.

Do I look as uncomfortable as I feel? No whale comments, please.

Cue horrible photo.

The wound, before.

All stitched up.

Patched up and ready to go.

By the time the doctor had finished stitching me up, Rachel had rung a taxi and we were almost out of there!
I got my letter for my normal doctor and caring for my wound instructions and then BAM, we were on our way to Rachel's house to the social sewing ladies who were going swimming at Rachel's place, more than 5 hours after we arrived.

I have to say how happy I was with how I handled myself, a few people have commented about me being so happy, not freaking out etc while at GJ's, but to things into perspective, I knew I wasn't going to die, and more importantly that Ginger wasn't in any trouble, I could still feel him moving about and I was a bit high on adrenaline. The social sewing ladies were particularly helpful, cracking jokes etc and keeping me happy. What happened has happened, it could of been much worse but I'm thankful I at least get a good story out of it.

There is always the next sewing social month!! I promise not to injure myself! Woo, see Rachel's blog for dates.

A big thank you goes out to:
Rachel - that girl is such a good friend, helping me out big time and didn't complain when wasting 5 hours of sewing time by spending it with me.
Sarah - for taking my over locker out of my car.
Melanie - for not fainting, she was looking mighty green and very horrified. I think it was best for everyone that us that she didn't accompany me to the hospital. - Love you Mel!
Oanh - for giving us lollies to take with us.
The lovely ladies at GJ's Fabric who were fantastic and very helpful.

The social sewing ladies are the best and I'm so glad to have them in my life!

Thanks for reading,

Kat x