Shearing mishaps

What do you get when you have a shearing machine and a squirmy sheep? Usually just a tired shearer and a tired naked sheep.............But, occasionally accidents happen.

These are Jerry's shearing machines.
You can see the mud on all of the equipment, and the lanolin on the combs. See that sharp point on the end of the comb?? That is what got me. )o:

A very pregnant ewe 1/2 sheared.

This girl got away from Jerry when he was ready to shear her other side. She was incredibly pregnant and he was trying to be as gentle with her as possible. Well..............she rolled away from him, and being the dutiful wife, I went to grab for her at the same time he did. Unfortunately when I put out my hand to grab her, he moved forward with the shearer still in his hand. I was stabbed in the palm of my hand with the pointed comb. I poured Iodine on it as soon as it happened, but it still got infected.


So, I had emergency surgery on Tuesday (I was stuck 48 hours earlier) to clean the infection out of the 'tendon tunnel' that runs up the middle finger. The doctor sliced open the palm next to where the shearer stabbed me and then cut a 'slot' in my middle finger. He then irrigated the tunnel to remove the infection. I was stitched, given a drain in the palm, taped and wrapped and sent home for two days.

Crystal, the nurse removed all the bandaging. The doctor removed the drain and taught me how to do my home care. I will go back next Thursday to have the stitches removed.

This is what I came home with. Sterile water, stretchy 'tape', 4x4 gauze sterile applicators to pack the gauze in the hole and petroleum dressingfor the finger incision.

This is what it looks like on Saturday after I took a shower by myself!! I even did my own hair!! Yeah!! Everything appears to be healing nicely.

Note to self! When sheep tries to wiggle away from hubby.........STAY AWAY!!