General Discussion

JohnnyRingo

(20,916 posts)

73. I agree....

Sat Dec 1, 2012, 01:00 PM

Dec 2012

Back in the early 70s when my sons were at that age, I wouldn't have thought twice about performing my own emergency "surgery" for something so minor as a bb under the skin. If I'd run them to the hospital for every minor mishap like this, I would have been under investigation for having one of my three adventurous boys at the ER every month. As it was, there were enough times when it was necessary.

I learned such home medical procedures from my own father for the same reason, and now my two surviving sons each have three kids of their own. They don't run to the hospital either unless a life is obviously in peril or if the injury is beyond the normal expertise of an average adult, like recently when one of my grandsons ran his skateboard into a tractor mower and ripped open his leg.

This story represents a mindset that is too close to a nanny state full of sissies for me, and it's my guess there will be no charges. I'm shocked enough police became involved at all. It's not like he put his eye out.

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Father tries to cut BB pellet out of son's skull after mishap [View all] proud2BlibKansan Nov 2012 OP

Bet they don't have health insurance riderinthestorm Nov 2012 #1

That was my first thought too PD Turk Nov 2012 #3

OMG, kidney stones! That can be very painful. I only had one once and it passed on its own. I guess RKP5637 Nov 2012 #4

Lemonade PD Turk Nov 2012 #9

I never knew that, good information to know!!! n/t RKP5637 Nov 2012 #11

What did your Doc tell you regarding breaking up stones? I've had many. Tess49 Dec 2012 #28

I and several friends who had severe kidney stones started drinking 1-2 large glasses of water dae Dec 2012 #152

Thanks for the information. I will try this. n/t Tess49 Dec 2012 #267

What few tips did he give you? dixiegrrrrl Dec 2012 #57

no health insurance here.... Maine-ah Dec 2012 #146

Yea, well I see your self-doctored and self-medicated Shankapotomus Nov 2012 #7

i bet so too. HiPointDem Dec 2012 #37

my thought also Liberal_in_LA Dec 2012 #145

I bet the father knew he was breaking local law by allowing the discharge of a BB gun pnwmom Dec 2012 #188

So a father acts in a non-emergency way over a non-emergency injury, Lionessa Nov 2012 #2

the boy is 12 CreekDog Nov 2012 #6

+1 proud2BlibKansan Nov 2012 #14

Which answers absolutely nothing of what I asked or commented on. Lionessa Dec 2012 #22

likewise, neither would the input of a 12 year old on the appropriateness of home-medical care CreekDog Dec 2012 #24

You misunderstand, if the child was in pain or anything like that, but Lionessa Dec 2012 #27

taking a utility knife to a kid's scalp as proper care of an injured 12 year old? CreekDog Dec 2012 #29

It was a very stupid thing to do. But I'm not sure its CPS worthy material. phleshdef Dec 2012 #30

maybe the father had no choice, since he couldn't drive the kid due to being drunk CreekDog Dec 2012 #31

I can't drive you to the hospital, the bartender took my car keys JustABozoOnThisBus Dec 2012 #63

Exactly. It's not rocket science, but OTOH it might not even be necessary. kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #68

The father's digging into the scalp with a utility knife probably put the boy pnwmom Dec 2012 #190

My brother actually reattached an ear with the dog stapler... TheMadMonk Dec 2012 #142

fecking hardcore PABigDaddyDemocrat Dec 2012 #179

It's against the law to discharge a BB gun in the city limits. That alone is a CPS issue. pnwmom Dec 2012 #189

Utility could mean any number of types of kniives, and Lionessa Dec 2012 #33

Mineral Man defended a poster who considered raising a child like training a puppy CreekDog Dec 2012 #38

Some aspects of animal training do in fact work well for young children. Lionessa Dec 2012 #72

If it was just in the skin, I don't think it's such a big deal. Chemisse Dec 2012 #102

"Mineral Man defended a poster who considered raising a child like training a puppy" Shining Jack Dec 2012 #131

No, it's not "beyond the pale" - that's just your opinion demwing Dec 2012 #162

Said by somepne who has never had a scalp injury obamanut2012 Dec 2012 #44

Depends on the injury, scalps really don't hurt much after the initial strike. Lionessa Dec 2012 #76

I have had a scalp wound. They can bleed like crazy. n/t pnwmom Dec 2012 #200

Scalp injuries hurt like hell? Sekhmets Daughter Dec 2012 #81

I've had a few stitches placed in my scalp too Aerows Dec 2012 #169

Neither do I... Sekhmets Daughter Dec 2012 #171

I don't know the pain threshold for 12 year olds though. vaberella Dec 2012 #192

I was once a twelve year old Aerows Dec 2012 #195

The reason scalp wounds Sekhmets Daughter Dec 2012 #218

I've had a recent scalp injury demwing Dec 2012 #161

Foot pain Aerows Dec 2012 #170

Hello...he's a 12 year old child. Not a grown ass man or woman. n/t vaberella Dec 2012 #193

Seriously, scalp pain is minor Aerows Dec 2012 #196

The father wasn't successful in digging out the BB, so it must have been fairly deep. pnwmom Dec 2012 #205

You're comparing a bb gun pellet to hair dye? You're kidding me right? n/t vaberella Dec 2012 #263

It "must?" There are no other explanations? /nt demwing Dec 2012 #228

The father dug into his scalp with a knife. If the scalp needed digging into, pnwmom Dec 2012 #183

I know, lots of folks like to overreact to small injuries, Lionessa Dec 2012 #186

I'm surprised to hear otherwise sensible people defending parents who ignore city law pnwmom Dec 2012 #199

I'm surprised to hear otherwise sensible people reading only the headlines and sketchy details demwing Dec 2012 #229

he cut Dorian Gray Dec 2012 #217

Doesn't answer a damn thing demwing Dec 2012 #120

i didn't weigh in on the CPS action --i have been arguing what the dad did was stupid & dangerous CreekDog Dec 2012 #124

When I was that age mythology Dec 2012 #20

we have flesh eating bacteria now, cutting is best left to the professionals CreekDog Dec 2012 #32

Problem is. . . there likelihood of acquiring MRSA is huge at a hospital compared to Lionessa Dec 2012 #34

a doctor at a home might be safer but not some dope with a utility knife CreekDog Dec 2012 #36

We didn't lead sheltered lives Confusious Dec 2012 #71

My second ex-hub shot himself through Lionessa Dec 2012 #78

I still got a divot in the muscle in the back of my leg Confusious Dec 2012 #80

But he went to see a doctor about it? Dorian Gray Dec 2012 #220

taking the child to the ER makes him sheltered? CreekDog Dec 2012 #173

For a minor cut, yea. nt Confusious Dec 2012 #213

it's not a minor cut, it was an embedded BB CreekDog Dec 2012 #219

If you're going to be a jerk, Confusious Dec 2012 #222

I've had a 45 go through my leg Confusious Dec 2012 #223

I know, I don't get this outrage Aerows Dec 2012 #197

you assume people are crazy because they don't agree with you? demwing Dec 2012 #121

As it turned out, no utility knive was used. MineralMan Dec 2012 #129

And as it turned out, the surgery was unsuccessful. So it couldn't have been that superficial. pnwmom Dec 2012 #212

Well, I have change my vote then Confusious Dec 2012 #215

No, we just don't wig out and make huge deals out of little accidents... snooper2 Dec 2012 #163

wrong obamanut2012 Dec 2012 #45

*cough* X_Digger Dec 2012 #58

You're overly concerned. JohnnyRingo Dec 2012 #111

we're talking about cutting a hole big enough in a kid to get a bb out CreekDog Dec 2012 #113

That's a pretty small hole, and there's already one where MineralMan Dec 2012 #130

if I try to make you guys sound ridiculous, you always outdo me CreekDog Dec 2012 #132

OMG! A BB is about 4.5mm (less, actually) demwing Dec 2012 #165

You FAIL when you say, "it's a small hole" CreekDog Dec 2012 #172

well good thing I didn't say that then, right? demwing Dec 2012 #227

I agree.... JohnnyRingo Dec 2012 #73

This message was self-deleted by its author AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2012 #104

I had two prongs of a treble hook in the back of my head learning to overhead cast as a kid. cherokeeprogressive Dec 2012 #147

Any father should know that a doctor should treat a head wound, and that antibiotics pnwmom Dec 2012 #182

Your theories have not shown to be Lionessa Dec 2012 #184

I had a staple rip a gash in my finger once Confusious Dec 2012 #262

Here's a WA state health department that recommends a tetanus booster after an injury. pnwmom Dec 2012 #265

The finger gash was 20 years ago, Confusious Dec 2012 #266

Exactly. Non-emergency way Aerows Dec 2012 #194

wrong- see post #242 elias7 Dec 2012 #243

absolutely wrong elias7 Dec 2012 #242

There was no skull penetration. Ms. Toad Dec 2012 #248

Probably needed a leatherman... Lightbulb_on Nov 2012 #5

Some "doctor" you are... JohnnyRingo Dec 2012 #98

Can you explain what you mean here? noamnety Dec 2012 #128

generally quoted from MASH JustABozoOnThisBus Dec 2012 #136

Oh, look, it was a quote from MASH RetroLounge Dec 2012 #138

Reference quote from MASH (1970). JohnnyRingo Dec 2012 #157

Yeah... if you carry your local paramedic in your pocket... Lightbulb_on Dec 2012 #141

He was inspired by the woman who painted Potato Jesus. nt OnyxCollie Nov 2012 #8

Without insurance, a visit to the emergency room is very expensive. Kaleva Nov 2012 #10

I can understand that concern loyalsister Dec 2012 #21

If that BB came from an ordinary BB gun, MineralMan Dec 2012 #126

Was it not obvious to the man loyalsister Dec 2012 #134

Hmm...hard to say whether this rises to the arrest level. MineralMan Nov 2012 #12

Oh come on. This wasn't a finger. It was a HEAD. proud2BlibKansan Nov 2012 #15

It was also a BB. MineralMan Nov 2012 #17

you don't have any credibility on this CreekDog Dec 2012 #39

You went to DU2 to find that? MineralMan Dec 2012 #51

What's the problem with going to DU2? Shining Jack Dec 2012 #52

It's not DU that is the problem. It's going and looking MineralMan Dec 2012 #55

I never said that DU was the problem. Shining Jack Dec 2012 #59

Yeah, I find that sort of thing OVER A SILLY BB to be a bit creepy. kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #100

A BB is a GUN PELLET obamanut2012 Dec 2012 #47

It is. It's a .177" diameter steel ball. MineralMan Dec 2012 #50

I had a friend end up with a BB in his brain. Hassin Bin Sober Dec 2012 #61

I've cut off skin tags before noamnety Dec 2012 #62

I remember a 2 year old here in my city being killed with a BB gun proud2BlibKansan Dec 2012 #156

It's a BB under the skin. Heck, I see feline patients all the time that have a BB or 2 in them that kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #69

You were lucky, my dad would have never wasted a fishing hook like that. JohnnyRingo Dec 2012 #82

There was no way that hook was going to MineralMan Dec 2012 #87

I was sort of kidding about saving the hook... JohnnyRingo Dec 2012 #110

Why is the boy in protective custody? From whom is he being protected?.... OldDem2012 Nov 2012 #13

He's 12. That's why. proud2BlibKansan Nov 2012 #16

Again, from whom is he being protected? nt. OldDem2012 Dec 2012 #25

the dad/home surgeon with the utility knife CreekDog Dec 2012 #40

Thank you proud2BlibKansan Dec 2012 #42

I was kinda thinking the same demwing Dec 2012 #122

Yeah, god forbid he have children RetroLounge Dec 2012 #139

By all means, go barf demwing Dec 2012 #150

or your approval RetroLounge Dec 2012 #154

Yes, or my approval demwing Dec 2012 #160

I'm glad you can diagnose via DU postings RetroLounge Dec 2012 #166

And I am glad demwing Dec 2012 #167

Oh, you have no idea. RetroLounge Dec 2012 #198

Hmmm, that's sad demwing Dec 2012 #226

Hang in there. You'll be okay. RetroLounge Dec 2012 #261

No that didn't work demwing Dec 2012 #264

Guess it all depends on the capabilities of those involved. Thor_MN Dec 2012 #158

And something must have gone wrong. Or else why did he bring him pnwmom Dec 2012 #203

Like I said, depends on the capabilities of those involved. Thor_MN Dec 2012 #231

So, responding with an insulting comment is a good way to have a discussion?.... OldDem2012 Dec 2012 #164

He didn't have an umbrella. The bouillabaisse was salty. I like sandalwood. demwing Dec 2012 #125

I agree with you. woo me with science Nov 2012 #19

It doesn't make sense to me, either Aerows Dec 2012 #43

I agree. This is an over-reaction by the authoritehs. slackmaster Dec 2012 #53

I think a review of some of the replies here... JohnnyRingo Dec 2012 #88

The dad deserved a stern lecture from a physician. It needn't become an issue for government. slackmaster Dec 2012 #112

This was not an overreaction. The father probably avoided treatment because he knew pnwmom Dec 2012 #185

The father wasn't even home when the boy shot the gun slackmaster Dec 2012 #235

I agree. redqueen Dec 2012 #105

This message was self-deleted by its author AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2012 #137

It is KS. Cops sees the Devil Buddha and has to 'Save' the boy with Baby Jesus! Viking12 Dec 2012 #151

Nice regional slam. proud2BlibKansan Dec 2012 #168

My step-father duct-taped the end of his finger back on. It was to the first knuckle. We spent Mnemosyne Nov 2012 #18

Ah, the real man Confusious Dec 2012 #74

Nanny state former-republican Dec 2012 #23

I just won bingo! obamanut2012 Dec 2012 #48

everyone's hitting BINGO this weekend on DU CreekDog Dec 2012 #214

Ah, home doctorin'. DUers got their share, I see. My Mom was good at that... Hekate Dec 2012 #26

Huh, are you sure about that last part, my son flipped himself backward off Lionessa Dec 2012 #35

Your son was the exception, rather than the rule. Ms. Toad Dec 2012 #41

Then perhaps it matters where on the scalp because, and bald men will agree Lionessa Dec 2012 #70

Male head hair doesn't work like cat's whiskers Confusious Dec 2012 #77

Well that's not what the ex or the many other baldies I've Lionessa Dec 2012 #83

I would think the exact same thing Confusious Dec 2012 #90

Hair may not be equivalent to whiskers, but it does Lionessa Dec 2012 #91

Yea, well it doesn't help me :) Confusious Dec 2012 #95

That may make a difference - Ms. Toad Dec 2012 #97

Scalp injuries are rarely bloody & ER docs used HAIR as sutures? obamanut2012 Dec 2012 #49

Here's a link for you.. X_Digger Dec 2012 #56

That's very interesting, X_Digger. I can't wait to try it next time one of my friends gets a gaping slackmaster Dec 2012 #67

Thank you X_Digger, that's twice in one thread, Lionessa Dec 2012 #89

de nada. X_Digger Dec 2012 #94

Yes indeed, standart practice for scalp injuries not requiring skull consideration. Lionessa Dec 2012 #75

Depends on the location, and yes, MineralMan Dec 2012 #92

I do actual surgery all the time and think that's incredibly CLEVER. kestrel91316 Dec 2012 #101

agree - very clever! Kali Dec 2012 #239

A couple of months ago, I read the 1911 Boy Scout Handbook on MineralMan Dec 2012 #96

My scout handbook was still much the same into the 70's. TheMadMonk Dec 2012 #148

Basic gun safety should be taught in public schools slackmaster Dec 2012 #46

Let's see.. things that my family 'doctored' for me.. X_Digger Dec 2012 #54

Guess we were raised in a different time. dixiegrrrrl Dec 2012 #65

Flesh wounds? Confusious Dec 2012 #79

Well yeah... dixiegrrrrl Dec 2012 #84

Different times and/or different cultures.. X_Digger Dec 2012 #85

My dad taught me how to make wound closing sutures from adhesive tape. JohnnyRingo Dec 2012 #93

Really? abelenkpe Dec 2012 #60

I don't have a problem with an investigation. It's their job. Hassin Bin Sober Dec 2012 #64

Yes, because they jump in with both jackbooted feet.... TheMadMonk Dec 2012 #149

US healthcare system JVS Dec 2012 #66

Apparently the family involved is African-American. hedgehog Dec 2012 #86

Excellent questions. Ms. Toad Dec 2012 #99

This message was self-deleted by its author AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2012 #103

I stand corrected regarding the race of the family. hedgehog Dec 2012 #106

Perhaps an African-American father would be sitting in jail in the same situation slackmaster Dec 2012 #115

That's a great question slackmaster Dec 2012 #114

Why do you assume because they are AA that they don't have a pricier address? RetroLounge Dec 2012 #140

I looked at the video tape in the original link - all the neighbors interviewed hedgehog Dec 2012 #144

You are correct Shrek Dec 2012 #221

This message was self-deleted by its author AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2012 #107

It wasn't in the skull. MineralMan Dec 2012 #109

Wow, so it wasn't the boy's father, rather the boy's father's friend slackmaster Dec 2012 #116

This message was self-deleted by its author AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2012 #118

I think Zeke is the boy's father's boyfriend, and the "girlfriend" is just a neighbor they asked... slackmaster Dec 2012 #119

I copied that headline from the article. proud2BlibKansan Dec 2012 #143

This message was self-deleted by its author AnotherMcIntosh Dec 2012 #153

No Surprise That Our Gun Enthusiasts Sided With The Dad, Here. Paladin Dec 2012 #108

Also No Surprise That Our Resident Authoritarians Sided With The State, Here, Sir. slackmaster Dec 2012 #117

obviously the safety of a 12 year old boy is secondary to a dad's god-given right to be a stupid ass CreekDog Dec 2012 #123

That's a classic false dilemma slackmaster Dec 2012 #159

well you just brought up a second reason to consider the dad a stupid ass CreekDog Dec 2012 #175

Sorry, sided with the dad Confusious Dec 2012 #133

Reply #107 has a completely different story gollygee Dec 2012 #127

The fact that there's more to the story doesn't lessen the need for CPS to get involved. pnwmom Dec 2012 #211

OK well if an adult and child were playing with a BB gun together like that gollygee Dec 2012 #216

Idiot! mfcorey1 Dec 2012 #135

and THIS is why rural people think urbanites are so frightening Kali Dec 2012 #155

thinking a kid should be seen by a doctor (ER or urgent care or whatever) is not "freaking out" CreekDog Dec 2012 #174

you are still whining about this? Kali Dec 2012 #176

you're still advocating that kids be treated like your livestock? CreekDog Dec 2012 #178

heaven forbid people show any common fucking sense Skittles Dec 2012 #177

common sense is using first aid when you can rather than running to the ER Kali Dec 2012 #181

................ Skittles Dec 2012 #187

... Kali Dec 2012 #191

Why did they wait so long to take him, after the "surgery" was unsuccessful? pnwmom Dec 2012 #204

What law are you referring to? /nt demwing Dec 2012 #224

This law: pnwmom Dec 2012 #225

Not what you said demwing Dec 2012 #232

The law prohibits the discharge of a BB gun. In this case, a BB gun was discharged. pnwmom Dec 2012 #233

Have you ever fired a BB gun? demwing Dec 2012 #238

IF that's what happened. But the nurse's aid who was asked to help out told a different story. pnwmom Dec 2012 #241

Yep, I do blame CPS demwing Dec 2012 #251

CPS didn't remove him from the home. Zeke's girlfriend did that, when she finally pnwmom Dec 2012 #254

They may have acted lawfully... demwing Dec 2012 #255

wait so long? wasn't it the next day? Kali Dec 2012 #234

fuck if I know why they "waited so long" it was only a day later Kali Dec 2012 #237

The nurse's aid who saw him after the injury thought he should see a doctor right pnwmom Dec 2012 #244

OMG YOU'LL PUT YOUR EYE OUT1!!!!11! Kali Dec 2012 #245

The CDC doesn't think this is a joke, and neither should any responsible adult. pnwmom Dec 2012 #247

thanks for looking that up, really Kali Dec 2012 #249

Would you say that if it was your pal who decided to take it upon himself to dig into pnwmom Dec 2012 #210

yes Kali Dec 2012 #236

Why do you think the father finally took the boy to the hospital? pnwmom Dec 2012 #202

Maybe he had to break down his meth lab first? demwing Dec 2012 #230

What's that Billy? You shot yourself in the head with your BB gun? Iggy Dec 2012 #180

Why did the father finally take the boy to the hospital? Probably because the wound pnwmom Dec 2012 #201

nope. because the kid didn't tell the dad about it and not until the guy the kid... yawnmaster Dec 2012 #206

More recent reports say the father went to work on Thursday after he learned of the injury, pnwmom Dec 2012 #208

depends on the bb gun, but they don't make that much noise... yawnmaster Dec 2012 #257

Thanks for the info, yawnmaster. n/t pnwmom Dec 2012 #259

Signs of infection the day after doesn't prove it was infected the day before. tinrobot Dec 2012 #207

You are right. And since then there is more information pnwmom Dec 2012 #209

"Let's not start making assumptions here." Kali Dec 2012 #240

My ophthalmologist is strongly against spongy "Nerf" guns because of the eye damage he's seen. pnwmom Dec 2012 #252

nerf products are exactly what is wrong with people like you these days Kali Dec 2012 #256

You could be right. The father here and/or Zeke played with too many Nerf products, pnwmom Dec 2012 #258

i still got some fresh unclutched pearls datasuspect Dec 2012 #246

hahahahaha Kali Dec 2012 #250

Give a kid a BB gun and he will use it to kill songbirds Kolesar Dec 2012 #253

Why is this a child abuse case? It seems like he tried to help the boy but did it wrong. craigmatic Dec 2012 #260