who knew doing dishes could be so dangerous?

Oh, I knew. 

I’ve had run-ins with dishes before.  Many times, far worse than today.  Luckily for me, I have a little experience in MacGyver-style field dressings.  And it’s a good thing too, because I’ve done it again.  Quite accidentally, I can assure you, I have sliced my finger open on the dishwasher. 

No, not on a knife, or broken dish—although I’ve done that far too many times before.  I’ve broken mixing bowls over my hand while washing them, sliced myself while cutting vegetables, smashed a glass baking dish and then cut myself trying to catch it as it fell.  Yes, I am an expert at kitchen disasters.  But I have never once cut myself while opening the dishwasher.  I don’t even think I could recreate the accident if a tried. 

And I did. 

I tried to find the catalyst for my disaster with no luck.  It was just one of those things that only seem to happen to me. 

Luckily (again) I was taught “do it yourself” medicine by one of the best—my mom.  As a nurse, Mom was always prepared for the common cuts and scrapes with disinfectant, and some toilet paper and Scotch tape!  I don’t know why we never seemed to have band aids at home when I was a kid, but in keeping with the family tradition, I whipped out the Charmin and piece of clear packing tape and got to work. 

I’m sure I’ll live.  It hurt pretty badly for a while, and it continues to bleed anytime I bump it too hard on anything (like my laptop keys or my other fingers.) But I’m pretty resilient.  I once taped a pretty nasty cut closed with the sticky parts of several band aids, instead of getting stitches.  I mean, who has time for a trip to the emergency room?  Not me!

I suppose this means I’m actually very well equipped to move to the farm.  Or Bosnia.  Either way, I’m pretty good at dressing wounds.  My own anyway. 

When I wasn’t slicing and dicing my extremities today, I was organizing and doing laundry.  I’ve yet to discover a way to cause trouble or get injured folding clothes, but it it’s out there, I promise I will find it.  And when I do, I’ll be sure to let you know!

Until the next time…I’ll be checking pockets for sharp objects…very carefully!

Copyright © 2000-2018, Erica Lucke Dean. All rights reserved. Any retranscription or reproduction is prohibited and illegal.
Posted on June 18, 2010 .