[MelodyL]

We were visiting with his family in NYC. We had gone out to eat and we walked with them (He got the boot off by the way, the docs say his ulcer is all healed, and now he is wearing the custom made shoes).

So his FEET are okay.

So we say goodbye to his family, they go one way, we go another and Alan goes:'I'm dying for a smoothie".

So we find this place in NYC. I go up the one step, I go in, I hear a THUMP, and Alan is on the floor.

Some guy ran to help him up. We both did.

He gets up and says: "I'm fine" and the guy says: "Buddy, I don't think so, you are bleeding".

It seems that he fell on his elbow and he got a nice scrape. He is on Plavix and aspirin, so that doesn't help, does it.

You would think the owner of the place or SOMEBODY would come over and ask how he is doing? I asked for a napkin and someone produced a first aid kit. So there was Melody, disinfecting, cleaning, putting pressure. We used a lot of napkins.

Alan was so thirsty (it was so hot outside), so I went up to the counter and said: 'can you please give him something to drink, we came in for a smoothie".

They poured him a glass of water.

My god.

We left because he finally seemed to stop bleeding.

We went to go for our pickup for the Access-ride.

We had to wait almost 2 hours in the blazing sun. He had stopped bleeding.

The access-a-ride came, we got on, and while the bus was jostling us about, he must have banged his elbow because he started to bleed through the napkin he was holding on his elbow.

We got home, I disinfected it again, (it's just a piece of skin that's been scraped off, but it's still there.). I didn't pull it off (I once read where you shouldn't pull off a piece of skin, it can be a protection of some kind over the injury site).

So I held his elbow under running water to clean it again. I put some fresh disinfectant, I bandaged it and there have been no further instances.

No bleeding, no leaky anything from the bandage.

So what does one do when one has a cut, you've put a gauze pad over it, it stops bleeding, and you've bandaged the whole elbow.

When do you think it's safe to remove the bandage and gently pull the gauze pad off?? Or do you just unwrap the bandage that's over the gauze pad and let the gauze pad come off by itself?

I don't want to pull off anything because I might rip it open again.

It's been so long since I've had to put something over a cut, I've forgotten.

Thanks much.

P.S. He's a very lucky man. He could have busted up his face and broken his leg. Good Lord.

[Jomar]

I usually clean it good and then put Neosporin or a similar ointment on it, then a large band aid or gauze & tape - which ever works best.

Usually leave it on over nite and then check it in the morning- if it all looks dry still and no more bleeding , I leave it alone and check in the afternoon.

- watch for more soreness, swelling, stinging , getting reddish around the area

If all looks good I leave it alone til after shower/bath time when it gets wet anyway, then dry, check, reapply ointment & fresh bandage.

After it seems to be healing then bandage can stay off as long as nothing bumps or rubs on the wound...

[Twinkletoes]

Good grief, Mel!!! Poor Alan!

I can't believe the restaurant couldn't do better than THAT. What? A glass of water and you had to do the asking?

I was new on crutches when I fell at Wendy's in Miami this spring (tipped over in the bathroom stall and broke my ribs). They called the EMTs. By the time I found out and toldl them it wasn't necessary, the ambulance was already there!

Wendy's filled out an incident report and sent me a follow-up letter.

So different from your experience!

So glad Alan is okay. Take good care of that elbow. He is a mighty tough fellow! (((((Melody))))) (((((Alan)))))

[nide44]

Sorry it happened, Mel. Tell Alan that for me.
I know what its like to fall, done it a few times- with MRI follow-ups.
Just as Jo said. Keep it clean and change bandages daily until it
looks good enough to leave them off.
For the trauma pain, an analgesic of some sorts will probably be all
you have to do.
It'll be sore for a few days.
If it's sore longer than 3-4 days and doesn't seem to be getting better-
head for the doc's.

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by nide44

Sorry it happened, Mel. Tell Alan that for me.
I know what its like to fall, done it a few times- with MRI follow-ups.
Just as Jo said. Keep it clean and change bandages daily until it
looks good enough to leave them off.
For the trauma pain, an analgesic of some sorts will probably be all
you have to do.
It'll be sore for a few days.
If it's sore longer than 3-4 days and doesn't seem to be getting better-
head for the doc's.

Hi Bob (and everybody who replied to me).

Alan was not in pain last night whatsoever (and when he landed with a thump, I figured, Oh my god, he'll be black and blue tomorrow and in pain).

This did not happen.

Well, he's still sleeping and it's 10:30 a.m. here in Brooklyn, NY (when he goes on the computer and stays till 3:30 a.m. he wakes up after 11 a.m.

I just sneaked in and peaked at his elbow. All last night (from when we got home) till I went to bed at 11:30 p.m, there was no blood on the wrapping.

Just now I saw there was dried blood on the outer wrapping, which leads me to believe that when you toss and turn and land on your injury, you might rub it and it might bleed. There was no blood anywhere else, not on sheets, coverlet, or anything.

So when he wakes up, I'll just take a look, clean it again, put some disinfectant again, and wrap it again.

Then I'll threaten him with bodily harm if he moves!!!!

lol

Melody

[DanP]

Looks like you making all the right moves, Melody. Unless Alan accidently busts it open again it should heal soon.

[dahlek]

Other than it comes with the territory!
That Alan has been SOO LUCKY not to have had this happen on a regular basis before is a blessing.
I always have several near misses each year and one GOOD ONE! Entailing a trip to the ER, X-rays, wheel chair, PT the whole works. It is not FUN!
Count your blessings and keep on going. 's - j

[shiney sue]

I;m so glad every thing tured out well. I was in the hospital for 5 days,they
called a payed for a free taxi they were worried about Bob getting me up
the stairs..Soooo I like a nut try to get out the of the Taxi and down I go.
It hurts your skin and your pride. D. is so right he didn't do more damage,
from one who falls far to much,all I hear is here is a assited living. paper I have many years for that..Glad he didn'r hurt his purty face. Hugs to all Sue

[Leslie]

Originally Posted by shiney sue

I;m so glad every thing tured out well. I was in the hospital for 5 days,they
called a payed for a free taxi they were worried about Bob getting me up
the stairs..Soooo I like a nut try to get out the of the Taxi and down I go.
It hurts your skin and your pride. D. is so right he didn't do more damage,
from one who falls far to much,all I hear is here is a assited living. paper I have many years for that..Glad he didn'r hurt his purty face. Hugs to all Sue

Shiney Sue - I have been wondering about you and if you were alright. I hope things are better.

Mel - you and Alan sure do have alot of excitement in your life!! Glad Alan is alright...

[shiney sue]

Thank you for your your kind words .and been thinking of all our dear one's
as well Sue