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So, Monday (2-18-08), I was at my brother's house with his dogs while mom went to go get some dog food. Feeling bad for them, I got the Ol' Roy dog treat bag out. But there was only 1 left. I decided to cut it in half and give it to the mother and father dogs, finding table scraps for the pups.

The dog treat was anti-cutmeinhalf, and I had to re-arrange the large knife. As I was "performing" the sawing motion downward, I moved my left hand more to the center. And sliced my index finger open.

With a chunk of my finger (about .5 inches in width, 1 inch in length, and about .25 in depth) now, of course, cut nearly off, I put some tiolet paper around it and applied pressure. Then, I rushed to the store (and my mother) to go to the Emergency Room (ER). At this time is when my finger really started to bleed (when, in fact at my brother's, I didn't bleed at all).

In the screening room, I was told that I might need stitches, but they doubted it. The wound was later cleaned. My doctor(ess), checked the wound, telling me it was not quite to the bone (it amazed me on just how thick the flesh on your finger really is), and that I would need stitches. I said I wanted glue, but she said it, more than likely, wouldn't hold.

So I got the stiches. And the worse part was the numbing agent. You see, they have to inject it "on site" (or on/around the wound[s]) to make sure it works properly. I didn't even feel the stitching at all.

So, I ended up with 6 stiches on my left index. I will have them removed in 7-14 days. In other words -- I don't know how often I'll be around (because I type a lot when I'm online)....

Isn't that the stupidest reason for stitches you've ever heard? lol Also, forgive any errors. I am, after all, lacking my left index. XD

**ALSO**

If anyone has some tips on cleaning the stitches/wound, PLEASE tell me. I haven't even looked at the wound since it was cleaned at the hospital, and don't want to (so I don't even know the pattern of the stiches, but mom said they're "X-like.")!

So, any helpful tips/links to how to clean the wound and stitches, please tell me (I can handle the dressings just fine myself).

Ah stitches, I hate those things. I had to get them on my 12th birthday back in 2006.. I 'accidently' punched a window and had a deep cut on my wrist and several places on my arm. It bled alot and there was a blood all covered on my door, I think its still there too. Yeah.. I of course needed stitches =/ the cut on my wrist was almost to my blood vein or something like that.. I heard from someone (I think the doctor) that if it went in the tiniest bit deeper I would have died or something. o__O I needed stitches all over my arm, I believe I got 14 in total.. but I'm not sure. And the numming hurt.. ALOT.

Yeah well anyway, hope you feel better soon. The day after I got my stitches my arm hurt so much I just stayed in my room all day.

And think I used water to clean it, but I'm not sure and I don't remember.

AAAAHH, Nuuuu!!! X_x I once sliced open my thumb trying to pry an aluminum can open, and yeah...it surprises me too how thick the muscle goes. So I had this little flap of skin to play with as it healed. XP But yours sounds a lot more serious. XD Accidents happen, Kirada, don't feel bad -- FEEL BETTER!! :]

I wouldn't know what to do; I've never had stitches.
The worse I've ever had it was when I cut myself while cleaning a knife. The cut itself wasn't deep at all, just cut sideways into the skin of my finger like a small fillet.

My friend had stitches though. He said they are annoying but aren't so bad once you get use to them... like braces and those rubber bands for you teeth.

It a small inconvenient event that happens in life, Kirada, and like all small inconvenient event, this one will go away and it'll as if it never happened.

I figured. I'm already getting used to them. ^_^ As for it "going away," I don't think so. I can already tell that I'm going to have a pretty scar to remind me: "Don't forget all that knife safety you've been taught. Remember what happened when you did before?" lol

I'm pretty sure that some day I'll shrug it off and be like "Well, it happens." But for now I need to gain use to the pain of the stitches. I was told that, after I get them removed, it could take several weeks to months before it heals (if all goes well). But, I heal fast with antibiotic ointment - hopefully I will this time, too.

I also had my first look at them this morning (I changed the dressing, and mom told me to wait before I clean it just yet). They're not as bad as I thought, but still pretty gross. Black stitches, pale white skin. How fun. Lol.

What also surprises me is; You see in those movies when someone gets a cut similar to mine and the "site" turns colors (white, or bruise-like). Mine didn't change at all - except for a dark shade of pink (like coming back inside after being out in the cold). I'm fairing pretty well with the splint (which I need for a week out of my 2 weeks with the stitches) and taking out normal daily activities. The only issue right now is tying my hair into a ponytail. X]

After someone dived into the swimming pool,when I lived in Fayetteville,N.C.,I had to be taken to the hospital to have stitches put into my right ear,but I don't remember how old I was,it happened a long time ago.

Ouch! I got cut with a knife to the way left of my palm! I had a few stitches but it hurt so badly! I really hope you feel better soon.

Indeed. However, most of the people I ask here I ask other people, as well. For example, my Physical Science/Chemistry teacher (Ms. Boen) raises goats. And, goats being goats, I know she's tended to stitches. I ask her nearly everything I ask here.

Though, I had the stitches removed nearly 11 days ago, I left this topic open for anyone else who might need some help and spy this topic.

My only advice is:
If you're worried about when, cleaning your stitches, soak a clean rag in a clean bowl of soapy water, preferribly a soap that disinfects and prevents bacteria, hold the rag about 6 inches from the wound site, and squeeze, allowing the water to "drizzle" onto the wound (this uses small pressure to push the antibiotics and whatnot OFF of the wound site, but be sure not to drizzle over the clean water) and do this two-six times as you feel necessary. Also, be sure to dry the stitches after cleaning and to re-dress them.

Even antibiotic ointment helps. It "keeps the wound moist, so it doesn't feel as tight, and helps the stitches come out easier."

Have the stitches removed did not hurt - but what did hurt is when the doctor had to cut my finger open (twice) in order to get to the side of the stitch. See, my finger was slightly swollen, and on the corners of the wound all you could see was the knot of the stitches. So, if you're worried about (no swelling, of course) "it'll hurt when they're removed," don't be. You feel a tug, hear the scissors "tick" close, and then before you know it - you're done!

I have never had stitches or broken a bone but I know plenty of people who have. just last week a kid in one of my classes got inderectly stabbed with a knife after our highschool exit exam & he had to get sticts on his leg. I know alot of people that have gotten staples too.