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March 24, 2008
Party, Interrupted
Today's post is supposed to be all about my brother-in-law Randy's 60th birthday party. Friday night he had a big bash down by the river behind his house (I've talked about this place special before, if you recall) with a bonfire, family and friends, loads of food and folk guitars and singing. He kept referring to is as a Vernal Equinox party but it was truly in honor of his birthday. I thought I'd have loads of pictures to show you. Pictures of people eating and drinking, singing and laughing, doing what our family and friends do best. I have one. Picture that is.
This is Dale and Randy's friend Mike before.
Before what, you ask? Before Dale decided to hoist a flag. And before the top of the flag pole and the metal pulley that hauls the flag up the pole came crashing down and smashed into the side of his face.
I present Exhibit A. This is the 6 lb. hunk of metal and wood that split my dear husband's temple wide open just before the festivities were about to get under way. Scary looking, isn't it?
I was helping out with a few things when I heard Dale call my name. I looked over and he was on the ground. I thought he had slipped and fallen so I called over, "Are you okay?" And he looked at me in the most vulnerable and scared way and said, "I'm hurt. I'm bleeding." That's when I saw that the side of his face was covered in blood. I ran to him and saw a gash on his temple and knew immediately that he needed stitches. Probably a bunch of stitches from the depth and length of the cut. I squeezed it together and started yelling, "I need help! I need help!" I spotted Dale's sister Lisa (she's a nurse) and called her name. She told me afterwards that she'd never heard me sound like that before and she came running. So did Randy and Mary. They all thought Dale was having a heart attack or something, the poor things.
While I raced around frantically looking for my cell phone, Lisa and Mary got clean towels to apply to Dale's face and Dale's dad came over with a golf cart (we hadn't brought our cars all the way down to the river) to bring Dale up to my Jeep. It seemed like everything was happening in slow motion but I think we were on our way to the hospital within 10 minutes of the accident.
We got to the hospital and I have to say, as awful as it sounds, that it was a good thing he was bleeding so much as we were seen much quicker than I think we might have been otherwise. The doctor explained that Dale had cut a blood vessel in his temple and that's why there was so much blood. 18 stitches and two hours later and we were ready to leave. Dale was sporting a giant goose egg on his temple and an ace bandage wrapped around his head to apply pressure to the wound to decrease the swelling. His eye was already turning black and blue but he insisted on going back to the party. No surprise there, eh?
He was greeted as the conquering hero by everyone there. I made him sit, he made me let him have a couple of beers. And then we headed home. What a night!
By the way, Randy writes a weekly column for the Brockton Enterprise. You can read his version of the party here, if you're interested.
There are pictures for those who want to see his eye as it looked on Saturday and Sunday. Just look in the extended entry. And if you don't want to see them then don't scroll up when you leave a comment. It's not that bad, but then again, I'm used to it. It might not be good for the squeamish.
I shudder at the thought of how much worse things could have been and I will be forever grateful that Dale wasn't hurt more severely. Really, this was a close call.
Saturday afternoon, still wearing the pressure bandage.
Sunday afternoon, no more bandage but UGH.
Posted by Carole at March 24, 2008 6:35 AM
Comments
That is unbelievably scary. Grace under pressure, you both were. I am so very happy it turned out okay. Or at least stitched and healing. *PHEW*
Posted by: Laurie at March 24, 2008 6:55 AM
So scary. I'm so glad that he's okay.
Posted by: Kathy at March 24, 2008 7:10 AM
Poor Dale! You're right that I think he got off "lucky" how scary. Amazing how we can pull our shit together when we have to, no? Hugs to you both, so glad the story has a happy ending.
Posted by: PumpkinMama at March 24, 2008 7:15 AM
O.M.G. Yikes. I'm so glad you're both OK. Big hugs to you both.
(I know that tone of voice, sort of. With Miss B I have a "stop that, it's annoying" voice and a "stop that, it's dangerous" voice. She responds immediately to the latter, which would be very handy if I could do it on purpose.)
Posted by: Lucia at March 24, 2008 7:20 AM
How frightened you must have been. It's awful when anyone gets hurt, but when they "belong" to you, it kicks you into high gear. So very glad he's ok.
Posted by: DebbieB at March 24, 2008 7:27 AM
Oh, how awful! I'm glad you didn't see it happen. And I'm glad things turned out okay and that you're both fine.
Posted by: Beth at March 24, 2008 7:37 AM
Yegads ... that WAS a close call. I'm so gratefult that he's (battered and bruised, but) o.k., and that you were able to get him help so quickly.
Posted by: Ruth at March 24, 2008 7:37 AM
Glad he's okay. :-)
Posted by: Jen in CT at March 24, 2008 7:42 AM
Thank goodness everything is fine! He's going to be hurting for a long time. Heal quickly!!
Posted by: margene at March 24, 2008 7:43 AM
What an awful thing to have happen. Thank goodness you were there and acted so quickly. I hope Dale heals well and fast!
Posted by: Wendy at March 24, 2008 7:47 AM
wow. You all know how to stick with a party! Really glad Dale is OK, that must have been terrifying. Way to welcome spring!
Posted by: gale (she shoots sheep shots) at March 24, 2008 7:49 AM
Jeez, Carole! What a harrowing thing to have happen. I'm so glad he's ok. The pictures of the flag pole top? All that jagged wood? Well, yikes. Now I guess he'll have a battle scar to go with his regalia.
Posted by: Ann at March 24, 2008 7:49 AM
OMG!! How terrifying! I'm glad Dale's okay, on the funny side...how many people will he tell that you did it to him?
Posted by: Robin in VA at March 24, 2008 7:49 AM
Wow you guys - that's pretty scary! Glad to hear that it turned out as it did. I wouldn't want to hear the alternate ending to this story. Get better soon Dale!
Posted by: Deb at March 24, 2008 8:00 AM
MY GOD! I'm glad he's fine. I'm glad you're fine too.
Posted by: Karen at March 24, 2008 8:01 AM
Holy cow--that was really close.
Posted by: Amy at March 24, 2008 8:03 AM
Ayup. Some people REALLY KNOW how to party!
I'm tempted to call Dale a big attention-getter, but I'll refrain. ;-) Relieved that everything worked out ok.
Posted by: Norma at March 24, 2008 8:08 AM
OMG! How scary is that! My heart jumped into my throat at the retelling.
Posted by: caro at March 24, 2008 8:16 AM
Oh my gosh, Carole. An inch or so lower and he might have lost his eye! I am thankful that he was not hurt worse. Sending wishes for speedy healing.
Posted by: Kat at March 24, 2008 8:18 AM
Poor Dale!!! Wishing him a speedy recovery.
Posted by: Kirsten at March 24, 2008 8:20 AM
Yowza! That was some party!
Seriously, Carole, I'm just so glad Dale is alright, sure, he's got a black eye and sutures to show for it but he's alright.
Posted by: marianne at March 24, 2008 8:21 AM
Very lucky to not have lost his eye or worse. That will be quite the battle scar! At least it's on/ follows the brow line. Glad Dale is okay.
Posted by: Manise at March 24, 2008 8:23 AM
I am glad he is ok and not at all surprised at his wish to return to the party. I would have gone straight home to bed, my wife - back to the party. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
Posted by: debbi at March 24, 2008 8:24 AM
Oh dear! What a scary experience for both of you. I am very glad to read that Dale is ok!
Posted by: Kim at March 24, 2008 8:28 AM
Yikes. That would look like a great battle wound when you do your next reenactment. Other than that, I can't really say much positive.
Here's to a fast healing process and minimal scarring.
Posted by: jessie at March 24, 2008 8:30 AM
OOOWWWWWW!!!! Damn! I hope he gets well quickly with no lingering effects. Eek!
Posted by: Miriam at March 24, 2008 8:32 AM
oh boy that IS scary; i'm so glad dale is ok!
Posted by: anne at March 24, 2008 8:32 AM
Yikes! I am SO glad that he's ok.
Posted by: Chris at March 24, 2008 8:36 AM
OMG, you poor babies! It could have been so much worse, just a couple of inches~OMG Thank goodness he's OK.
Posted by: Carol at March 24, 2008 8:38 AM
That's really a scary accident. I'm so glad that Dale is ok. My heart was pounding the entire time reading your story.
Posted by: Wanda at March 24, 2008 8:40 AM
Oh, owie!! And hugs. But thank goodness he's ok.
Posted by: Chris at March 24, 2008 8:42 AM
Horrible story; I am glad Dale is okay. Pretty close to his eye - he was definitely lucky. It does look pretty sore though.
Posted by: Cynthia at March 24, 2008 8:48 AM
Ouch! How very scary! Thank goodness he's ok.
Posted by: Adrienne at March 24, 2008 8:55 AM
I love happy endings for you! And Dale - well, guys will buy him free beers and toast his health if he tells the story as the "wound he received trying to hoist the flag"! Men!
Posted by: Barbara-Kay at March 24, 2008 9:09 AM
You are right - he was lucky. It could have been so much worse. You always wonder how you will be when there is an emergency but somehow we manage to pull ourselves together and handle what we need to!
Posted by: Lisa at March 24, 2008 9:21 AM
Yikes, that is a scary story. I'm so glad to hear that Dale is OK.
Posted by: Rachel at March 24, 2008 9:25 AM
OMG! That's awful. You must be so relieved that Dale is ok. At least he had the rest of the weekend to recover.
Posted by: Hillary at March 24, 2008 9:26 AM
Poor guy! And I hope your heartbeat has returned to normal as well! When it doesn't hurt too much, give him some kisses from the blog community to make it better. Add a beer too- couldn't hurt at this point. Well, not on the injury- internal application is best.
Posted by: Lisa C in TN at March 24, 2008 9:30 AM
I'm surprised he wasn't knocked unconscious. Glad he's okay.
Posted by: Wool Winder at March 24, 2008 9:31 AM
Yikes. That's a nasty gash. Head wounds bleed a LOT - I'm glad everything turned out OK. The green phase of the bruise ought to be spectacular.
Posted by: Ina at March 24, 2008 9:31 AM
OMG, how frightening that must have been. I'm glad the story ended okay and that Dale is now recovering.
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool at March 24, 2008 9:54 AM
Wow, what an adventurous day! Glad that Dale is OK, that you are OK and here's to getting sewn up and going back to the party!
Posted by: Kathode Ray Tube at March 24, 2008 9:55 AM
OMG, Carole! That's absolutely horrible. I'm glad he's ok, but keep an eye on him just the same. tell him I hope he's doing better soon. Wow.
Posted by: Dave Daniels at March 24, 2008 10:07 AM
Yowsa! Poor Dale! I hope he's a quick healer!
Posted by: elizabeth at March 24, 2008 10:16 AM
Oh gosh! That's so scary! I'm so glad he's OK. I can't believe he wanted to go back to the party--now there is one tough fella! =)
Posted by: May Day sock pal at March 24, 2008 10:18 AM
Oh my. What relief it wasn't any worse. Wow. It looks much better after only one day!
Posted by: jillian at March 24, 2008 10:24 AM
Awful. I can't believe that happened and he still wanted to go back to the party! My oh my. My best to Dale :-)
Posted by: SpiderWomanKnits at March 24, 2008 10:42 AM
The only thing worse than having to wait for hours at the emergency room is having them say "please, step right in". I'm so glad it wasn't any worse.
Posted by: Elizabeth at March 24, 2008 10:49 AM
All I can say is wow. Good Friday wasn't so good for a few. My friends DH who is a minister fell off the garage roof and broke both wrists and also had stitches on his face and leg. Fortunately both men are around to talk about it. Good luck to your DH. sandy
Posted by: sandy at March 24, 2008 10:50 AM
Ack! I'm just catching up on my reading after vacation and I can't believe what happened. Such a very scary evening...sounds like it all turned out O.K. but that would have freaked me out if it had happened to my husband. I hope Dale is looking and feeling better now, and that he's continuing to get lots of TLC!
Posted by: leslie at March 24, 2008 10:59 AM
Yikes, that is crazy! I'm so glad he's okay.
Posted by: Cheryl at March 24, 2008 11:04 AM
Oh WOW! How scary! Thank heavens he's OK.
Posted by: Cheryl S. at March 24, 2008 11:10 AM
I'm glad everything is ok! My prayers are definitely with you and Dale's speedy healing!
Posted by: Kristine at March 24, 2008 11:21 AM
Thank goodness he's okay. Took me right back to a bazillion years ago at a lab softball game where my major prof and very good friend was hit in the temple when a play slung his baseball bat. He had a bit of a concussion and his wife had to wake him every hour all night long for a couple days. We later awarded him a baseball trophy with a bandaid on it. Let's hope that's the last such excitement you guys have for a good long time.
Posted by: Julie at March 24, 2008 11:28 AM
Oh, no! What a contrast in the two pictures, before and after. Yikes. I hope Dale's not still in too much pain!
Posted by: jessica~ at March 24, 2008 11:45 AM
So glad that he is OK!
Posted by: Ruth at March 24, 2008 11:46 AM
omg. I am so glad he is okay. terrifying though.
Posted by: kathleen at March 24, 2008 11:50 AM
omg. I am so glad he is okay. terrifying though.
Posted by: kathleen at March 24, 2008 11:51 AM
Oh my, Carole. I'm glad that Dale is okay and that he wasn't injured more seriously. I hope he recovers quickly!
Posted by: caitlyn at March 24, 2008 11:58 AM
What a way to spend the weekend! Glad Dale is OK. It never ceases to amaze me how stuff like that always seems to miss the eye! Wishing him well and calming of nerves to you.
Posted by: Catie at March 24, 2008 12:00 PM
Those adventures are never the fun ones! Ouch. It definitely looks painful, but like everyone else has said, it could have been far worse. Well wishes and speedy recovery thoughts are headed Dale's way.
Posted by: Beth at March 24, 2008 12:21 PM
Wow, that looks really nasty. I love that he wanted to go back to the party, though. That's one tough--and dedicated guy.
I hope he's doing better.
Posted by: Michelle at March 24, 2008 12:21 PM
How scary for you! Thank goodness he's alright and there's a nurse in the family. I hope he's listening to you and taking care of himself.
Posted by: Cookie at March 24, 2008 12:28 PM
Oh! Carole! How scary! How lucky!
I don't need to tell you how much worse it could have been. Yikes.
You do tell a good story, my friend the librarian. Sheesh.
Hope Dale heals quickly and well.
Posted by: Alarming Female at March 24, 2008 1:27 PM
ouch
Posted by: Mel at March 24, 2008 1:28 PM
Oh, I am so glad to hear that he is, well, as okay as he is. I can imagine how terrifying that was for all of you. At the end of the day, quite a story to tell!
Posted by: aimeed at March 24, 2008 1:43 PM
I'm so glad he had family nearby! Ouch!
Vitamin E oil around the sutures to aid healing, shea butter to reduce scarring, Refresh Tears eyedrops if his eyeball needs cleansing or moistening, and Traumeel for the bruising and his neck. Getting hit in the head like that can really do a number on the neck verts and shoulder muscles, and a gentle massage there and to the area above his left ear, going back and down, will help decrease the swelling.
Did they check for any cuts behind his ear? Sometimes if you get hit like that while wearing glasses the earwire can wreak havoc. Please, if he has to get new glasses, get the shatterproof lenses, okay?
Big sigh of relief that Dale didn't lose his eye (or something worse). May he heal with grace and speed.
Posted by: Sylvia at March 24, 2008 1:44 PM
Oh, no! You're very lucky that it wasn't worse. Is he going to milk this injury for a while now, or is he the kind of guy who won't even mention it?
Posted by: Danielle at March 24, 2008 1:58 PM
OUCH!!!! I hope that Dale is feeling much better and for that case you too!!!
Posted by: Karen at March 24, 2008 2:06 PM
Oh, poor Dale! Thank goodness he didn't get a concussion. Hope he's feeling better!
Posted by: Martha at March 24, 2008 2:08 PM
Oh dear. I'm so sorry. But it looks like the flag pole got it worse. I hope he heals up well and fast. I'm glad he got to go back to the party... But I think you are the one that should have had a couple of beers by then. (maybe you did !)
Posted by: sue at March 24, 2008 2:35 PM
I think my heart skipped a beat for a moment there when I was reading about Dale on the ground bleeding. What a horrible thing to happen on such a momentous event. I'm so glad that everything turned out alright in the end. Whew ... that was close!
Posted by: ~Kristie at March 24, 2008 2:54 PM
Ack! That's SCARY. But thank God it ended well. (Or, as well as something like that can ... you know what I mean!)
Posted by: --Deb at March 24, 2008 3:12 PM
Sheesh, Dale always has to be the center of attention, doesn't he? (Sorry Dale.) I'm glad all turned out well.
Posted by: Carrie at March 24, 2008 4:28 PM
Holy Crap! I'm so glad he's okay! That's very scary!
Posted by: Julia at March 24, 2008 5:00 PM
Whooooaaaaaahhhh, Nelly! I'm so glad everyone is relatively ok. Isn't it amazing how things can turn on a dime? Though it makes for a good story, I'm thinking everyone there would be happy with a calmer celebration next time...
Posted by: Bossygirl at March 24, 2008 5:03 PM
I'm glad he's doing okay! How scary (probably more for you than him, because you could see how nasty it looked)!! Hugs to you both!
Posted by: Anne at March 24, 2008 5:23 PM
How scary! Dale - I'm glad you're okay! That's a helluva shiner, very impressive coloring you have there. ;o)
Posted by: JessaLu at March 24, 2008 5:26 PM
holy crap Carol! Thank goodness there were others around to help you. Very scary indeed! Hope he heals quickly!
Posted by: Kelly at March 24, 2008 5:59 PM
Wow! I'm glad Dale is ok! It brings to mind a saying in many families (mine included!).. "its not a party til someone goes to the emergency room!"
Posted by: Carla at March 24, 2008 7:09 PM
glad you both made it through. that was scary just reading about it.
Posted by: heather at March 24, 2008 7:32 PM
OMG - I'm so glad that Dale is okay! It does not, however, surprise me in the least that he wanted to go back to the party. :)
Give Dale a big hug from me, and make him give YOU one, too! xo.
Posted by: elisa at March 24, 2008 7:33 PM
Oh, yikes! I'm glad you posted next day pictures - his eye looks better already. That's gonna be a right pretty scar.
Posted by: Emily at March 24, 2008 7:45 PM
Ah, man, Dale, that looks like it HURT! I'm so sorry.
I hope you're both coming up with great and creative explanations for how it happened...
Posted by: mamacate at March 24, 2008 8:28 PM
ouch dale! well i'm glad it wasn't more serious.
think about the awesome scar!
Posted by: maryse at March 24, 2008 8:35 PM
Ouch ouch ouch! Nothing like random things falling on your head, eh? Hope Dale (and you!) recover soon.
Posted by: Katy at March 24, 2008 9:21 PM
wow -- how terrible! I am so glad Dale is (relatively) ok. I can't believe how close to his actual eye it was. I do so hope he feels much better soon.
Posted by: Heather at March 24, 2008 10:52 PM
Poor guy! Good thing he's got a hard head. :)
Posted by: Anne at March 25, 2008 1:20 AM
Awful as that is, and it is quite a black eye !, it could have been so much worse. How very scary for you. So lucky that Dale has a nice, thick skull ! Being a bloke I'm sure he'll wear his scar with pride.
It's amazing how efficient we can be when the adrenalin kicks in. Did you have a wobbly moment once you got home ? That's what I usually do.
I'm so glad you're both o.k. Hope Dales sore head heels quickly.
Knit on !
xxx
Posted by: Emma at March 25, 2008 6:48 AM
OMG Carole, I am so happy he wasn't hurt more than he was! He was incredibly lucky. Give him a hug from me.
Posted by: Julie at March 25, 2008 6:56 AM
geez! OMG, what can I say. I know I'm coming to this late, but thank God he's OK. How scary for you both. Wishes for quick healing being sent your way!
Posted by: Sean at March 25, 2008 9:20 AM
OMLord - what a terrifying event. And how close it was to being so much more serious. I am so glad that Dale is okay.
Get better very very fast Dale... we are all rootin' for you.
Carole - I send a gi-normous hug today... wow...
Posted by: Teyani at March 25, 2008 11:01 AM
I'm just catching up today but goodness! Poor Dale. I hope he mends quickly. Good vibes to you both.
Posted by: liz at March 26, 2008 7:26 PM
