I keep saying the smallest projects always turn out to have the biggest issues. Let me just repeat that.
We had made so much progress on the master bath closet and were in the process of installing the hanging rods and shelving when my worst nightmare became reality.
Luis was preparing to cut a 2 x 3 when his hand slipped onto the trigger of the miter saw and the blade sliced deeply into his wrist.
It was bleeding profusely, so we quickly wrapped it and applied pressure to try and slow the bleeding while I drove him to the ER. I honestly did not know how bad it was or if his hand was still attached.
We were both afraid to look.
Considering he is an accomplished guitarist in all genres..and a world class classical guitarist, a hand injury could be devastating.
So we both held our breath hoping and praying for the best. They saw him pretty quickly at the hospital and after six stitches, the doctor seemed to think he would recover fully and quickly. Thankfully, the blade stopped just short of the tendon.
He is still in a lot of pain and is nervous, to say the least, about the outcome. We are both thanking God for the miracle that it was not worse. We are just praying that he will recover fully and be able to play like he did before.
Obviously, that means everything else is on hold. I have been trying to do what I can without him, but that pretty much stops short of any heavy lifting or use of power tools for cutting. I’m kind of shell-shocked also, since I’m a pianist.
I had already started restoring the 100-year-old doors from the old house, which had been stored by my grandfather more than 50 years ago, and was able to haul out four more by myself and get them cleaned and re-finished. My dad and brother helped me get a couple more when they were here.
They are solid wood and very heavy…but mostly just really awkward to move around.
Our plan was to replace all the doors in the house with these.
I had found some of the original rim lock door knob sets, but not enough for all of them. I still have a few places to look, then will try ebay if I can’t find enough. At least this is something I can install by myself.
Three of the bedroom doors had numbers on them.
I’m just trying to get as much done by myself as I can while Luis recovers.
One easy update, or backdate in my case, I did, was change the glass shades on the light fixture in the bathroom. I really didn’t like these opaque shades and thought something clear would go better with the vintage feel of this room.
And I am very happy with the result.
I think these shades give this modern fixture more of a vintage feel…
…and they really coordinate so nicely with this cute chandy I will be hanging in there.
In the meantime, I’m just taking things day by day.
We had just enough time to finish these projects and get the outside ready for a once-in-a-lifetime photo shoot with photographers Anne Gridley and Gary Graves, which was rescheduled to mid May. I’m honestly not sure if it will happen now. Even if we had the indoor projects done, we still have all the outdoor area and porches to clean and get ready.
After the winter we had, there is a lot of debris, limbs, branches, etc., to be cleaned, mulch and pine straw to put in all the beds, plus removing all the furniture from three porches, pressure washing and getting them all back together and camera ready.
It honestly seems impossible at this point.
But first and foremost, is my husband’s recovery. He is so completely my soul mate and partner in everything from music and ministry to our DIY home projects, and I can’t imagine letting him near a power saw any time soon.
Everything else can wait.
I’ll be joining:
I'm so sorry this happened – I hear you about not wanting him near a power saw! Very thankful it didn't cut tendon(s). The light looks beautiful BTW. Take care of yourselves.
We are so thankful! Thank you Deb:-)
God is good, and has a good plan for you guys, Anita, so I'm going to be in agreement with you in prayer that Luis will have a fast and complete recovery with this. sending love and a big hug, and thanking God in advance…
Thank you Debra, we are trusting God and taking one day at a time:-)
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Luis's injury but am relieved, as you must be, that it wasn't more serious. I'm sure he will be on the mend quickly and will be able to finish the outdoor projects in time. If I lived nearby I'd love to help you. Anything to get away from the snow up here. LOL It's melting fast but there wouldn't be any photoshoots here until June. Hehe. Blessings to you both, Anita. And I wish you and your family a very blessed Easter. Pamela
We are so relieved it wasn't worse! Thank you Pamela, and happy Easter to you also!!
Oh Anita, I pray for a complete and speedy recovery for Luis. I hurt for you both… my husband is also my soul mate and partner in all things. Like you we do lots of Reno projects together….. I am USELESS with tools. I design, he creates!
Here's to his recovery and the shoot to happen as planned. All in his time!!
Hugs, Gee
Thank you Gee…we both appreciate it:-)
Oh, Anita I am so sorry. Gosh, that made me gasp when you wrote what happened. My husband cut his knee with a chain saw years ago and we were afraid to look too. I just got home from getting five stitches myself below my thumb. Emptying the dishwasher hazard. Wish you could find some folks to help you out.
We are hearing about lots of power tool injuries from friends…and I'm thinking I will never let him near a saw again! Sorry to hear about your injury!! I feel for you too. Hope you are all healed up soon!!
Oh thank God he is alright and didn't do more damage than he did. Hopefully he will recover very soon and with no side affects. I love the doors, they are fabulous.
Thank you Marty…we are thankful too!! I can't wait to get the doors installed…two of them are just propped up in the bedroom right now, lol!
oh My! Hope he recovers quickly. I'm so thankful no more damage was done.
Thank you so much Robin:-)
I'm praying for full recovery for your hubby and peace in your hearts as you watch what God will do to amaze everyone with his healing!
~Adrienne~
Thank you Adrienne for your prayers:-)
Anita, I am sorry for your husband's injury. I hope his recovery goes well. I will be praying for you.
Thanks Bonnie…we appreciate your prayers:-)
Everyone who uses power tools hurts themselves with them at one time or another … it's only a matter of which tool and how severely. Thank goodness that your husband's encounter with that saw blade wasn't worse. I hope the doctor is right and that your husband is as good as new soon.
We are thankful it was not worse also and hoping it doesn't happen again. Thank you…we appreciate it very much:-)
I think Mike and I talk about this every time we cut something..in fear that this will happen. I am so sorry that Luis got cut. I know he has the best mate in helping him recover. You'll get it all done and look back and think WOW, we did it!
Thanks Melanie! I know he is ready to get it over with and get back to normal. He is starting to feel a little better today finally.
How scary that must have been. May your hubby have a smooth and quick recovery. -Bev
It was just horrible Bev!! Thank you so much:-)
I just literally put my hand over my mouth when I got to the part about Luis's wrist. I am so grateful and praising God with you that the blade was stopped short. I lift him for full recovery sooner rather than later.
I love your doors in a big old fat way. Of course, I love everything you do at your place. I happen to have those same globes on some fixtures here. It makes me feel good to have chosen something that YOU would put in your place. Kind of giving myself a little pat on the back there…
I did too Debbie when I saw him. We are so thankful. Wow, you have the same globes! I really LOVE them, and they look so much better than the other ones did. You are always too funny:-)
So glad he is going to be ok. Power tools are so dangerous and many don't think about them, that way.
Looks like you have a lot on your list but things are coming together and look great. I love those old doors, lucky you to have so many and in such great shape.
Thank you Karen:-) I am so in love with the old doors…to the point of obsessing about them, lol. I think they will make a huge difference in the house.
Praying for Full & complete Recovery….God WILL work it all out!! (when you have a moment check out Southern Accents in Culman Alabama when you go looking for more knobs…) … the doors are amazing!!!
Very Very scary!! Praying for full and complete recovery!!!! God will work it all out for you… Praying for peace in the midst of the storm!!! Thank you for taking the time to share the pics of the doors … so beautiful!!!! btw…. if you can't find the remaining door knobs…..check out Southern Accents in Culman, Alabama !! Blessings
Thank you Terri so much for your prayers! I will definitely check them out. It's like a treasure hunt for sure!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery; yes everything else can wait. Don't stress yourself and only do what you feel able to. My husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last July and has gone through chemo and radiation and surgery, all during our major new house build. We got through all of it and he is now cancer free and we are in the new house; we took each day at a time and focused on only what had to be done that day. Your husband is very lucky and you both may need to step back for a while and let him recover. Good luck
Oh my, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband dealing with cancer, but so thankful he is cancer free now and you are enjoying a new house together!! I sure don't take for granted one day of having him by my side. Thank you so much:-)
I'm so sorry, Anita. When I saw about the accident on Facebook, my heart sunk! I hope he recovers 100%. Wonder if some physical or occupational therapy would help him get back in shape even sooner? In shape for his guitar, not the saw. If I were him, I'd stay away from anything with a blade on it for a long while.
PS – LOVE those doors. They are going to look wonderful in your home!
Thanks Pam:-) He is thinking ahead about some kind of therapy, but hoping he won't need it. It is definitely not something that he will get over very soon. I hate the thought of him using any saw again.
I love the doors so much! I have been wanting to use them for a while but didn't realize there were any big enough, so it was a nice surprise to find.
Oh, Anita, I'm so sorry to hear of Luis injury. I'm praying he'll have a complete recovery. If I lived near you I'd come over and help get your place ready for the photography shoot. You're such a sweet person. I pray you'll get help. ~ Nancy
Oh, my Lord! I didn't expect THAT!!!!! Oh, Anita…I'm SO sorry! Please convey my hope to Luis for a full and complete recovery very, very soon. I just can't imagine the feeling you both experienced at the moment of contact. Devastating! Only a couple of times in my life have I experienced a feeling that might even come close, and I know it was NOT a good feeling AT ALL!!!
I'm glad for the progress you were able to make prior to the accident. Here's hoping all is well soon so that you can both get back to the business at hand. Have a safe and happy Easter weekend!