Lord of the “Rings”?

There we were, the teens and I, in the midst of a LOTR marathon. I’d just sent the munchkins down to bed, and settled on the couch with my comfy cushions, and oh so soft blanket. And then he was beside me. My younger son. With a gold “ring” on his finger.

Tears trickled down his cheeks and panic etched his face. I looked at his gold “ring”, a compression nut–stuck fast. Compression nuts are designed to not come off. Designed to squeeze tight. I could feel the squeeze on this mother’s heart.

We headed to the kitchen where we tried ice cold water, coconut oil, dish soap, Armor All, and Windex in our desperate attempts to cause slippage. I made the mistake of trying to spin it back and forth which I realized, too late, bit into his little finger. He cried. I put on a brave face. All to no avail.

Then my husband brought out the hacksaw and dremel. Tension was high. I held him fast. Jake was brave until it got too hot. We thought to add water, but knew there would only be so far we could go before we hit flesh. Frayed nerves sent us to the Emergency Room for help.

We definitely got attention for unusual case of the evening. The first attempt, some string trick, drew blood, and tears. Lots of tears. I wanted to punch the nurse even though I knew he felt bad. A dad of five he said. Mom of six here.

Next, another male nurse took over with the dremel. A female nurse used a giant syringe to keep the area cool. A fine mist covered both nurses, my little guy, and me. Jake locked eyes with me. I held his gaze, and his hand. I told him he was brave, doing great, getting closer…

Almost through one side when the dremel could go no further without slicing into this finger. Out came the ring cutter–a handy contraption. Tears came when it dug into tender abrasions.

And then, one side free. Brass will not bend apart though. Back to the dremel for the other side. Again with the ring cutter for the final part. Mom and son holding hands and gazes. I pushed his sweaty hair away from his face, rubbed his cheeks, and continued whispering to him.

True freedom finally hit much to everyone’s relief. His little finger was jagged, red, and a little bloody. Gentle hands cleansed the blood and grime away.

Again, nurses and a doctor came by to see. Everyone relieved to see his smile. A popsicle reward for his bravery, NOT for his foolery.

Weary, we headed back home. Brass ring in a bottle.

I had prayed for hospital personnel to have a sense of humor, and they all did. I appreciate their wonderful personalities, and patience. Jake would rather not wear rings for a while. Especially compression nut rings.

Once home, I had him put some healing salve on it which you can see on his finger in the photos above. A friend of mine made this stuff, and it is AWESOME. We use it for everything.

The next day (should have done it as soon as we got home, but I didn’t think about it), I wrapped his finger in soft cloth with a salve made from Detox+ mix. I was aiming for the Bentonite clay and activated charcoal in it–to draw out metals and toxins. I figured it would be a good idea. More healing salve throughout the day.

Day 2.

Day 2.

Yesterday, he soaked his finger in Epson salts for good measure. More healing salve.

Today, and until it heals, we will just keep up with the healing salve. I share this for ideas on after care for injuries such as this. All these things are wonderful for cleansing and healing.

Day 4.

Day 4.

Now to go snuggle with my little lord of the “rings”.