That's what I asked myself after reading a news story about a biker who didn't notice that his lower leg had been amputated when he ran into a barrier. He then proceeded to drive another mile before stopping.
Apparently his friend picked up his leg and brought it to him (unfortunately it was too crushed to reattach).
Now that's a good friend.
I'm not sure if I'd be able to pick up my friends severed, crushed leg and bring it to them.
I guess I would.
Actually, I guess it would depend on who the friend was.
I know I'd do it for family, no questions asked (there may be an exception in there, but that is neither here nor there). Wait. Did I say that? Guess I did.
Moving past my family issues... I guess I would do it for a friend.
But how about a co-worker? Would I do it for a co-worker or better yet, a stranger? Wow, there's a lot to think about from this.
I'd like to say that I would, but I can't say yes with certainty. If I was a bullshitter and wanted you to all like me, I'd say yes but I can't lie: I'm not sure if I'd do it for just anyone.
Raw meat grosses me out and I have trouble handling snot, poop, and other assorted bodily fluids (oh but I deal, oh yes I do).
I almost fainted the first time Bumper drew blood from a fall (shhhhhh.. SB doesn't know I almost fainted, I tried to act all parental-like).
I think I'd faint if I saw a severed limb.
Yup, I'm pretty sure I'd pass out.
Do you think you could do it? Assuming you could do it for family, is there anyone you think you couldn't pick up a severed body part for? 'Fess up folks.
So what you are saying momma - is if I fall, you aren't sure if you can handle it?
Grrrrrrrrrrreat
19 comments:
Question: Do I have a plastic bag to carry it in? Or can I only use my hands. That makes a huge difference for me. Or maybe I am coincidentally wearing rubber gloves? That would help, too.
Gosh, I don't know.
I would like to think I could handle it fine, that I'd snap into my emergency mode and handle it, saving the queezy shaking till later, knowing that saving that limb in time could make a huge difference in the outcome. But I think it's impossible to really know how you'd react until you're standing there with a limb at your feet.
I was pretty shocked the time I reached out and caught pumpkinpie's vomit in my hand, too. I always figured I'd just sympathy-puke, but no. Some deeply hidden mom thing kicked in. You just never know.
(P.S. Pumpkinpie loves that little swinging manoeuvre, too.)
I think I would have no problem if, like Kyla, I had something to wrap around it. Touching the bare skin would not go over well. Although, I suppose I'd just suck it up and do it in an emergency. I hope.
As a child, I always wondered about my mother's ability to deal with these gross things. I swore I would never be able to do so. However, as an adult, I can, and do.
How?
The gross things remain gross, but the love is stronger. This is how a parent can wipe the snotty nose of a child, a pet owner can clean up after an ill pet, and a stranger can bring an amputated part to another stranger.
Cheers!
Even if it was my worst enemy's leg, I'd pick it up and take it over to the hospital. It's just one of those situations where I'd suck it up and do it.
I'd like to think I'd do it, but I'd probably say stuff for the rest of our lives like "no, I'm not going to take out the garbage. If you can ride for one mile without noticing your leg was ripped off, I think you can take care of the garbage." or "Could you pick up some milk on your way home? I did pick up your leg, after all."
Mama Tulip - you are a much greater person than I could ever be. As I've said, I'd faint - end of story (but I like Jennie's idea of using as leverage - that would be a lifetime of leverage right there. I like the way you think woman).
I think Kyla has a point about the gloves. From this point of reference I cannot imagine dealing with this without a bag.
However, though usually a wimp, I seem to dig deep in situations like these and just do what needs to be done.
I just cannot imagine a scenario where I am with someone I hate enough not to pick up their leg for them. If I hated them that much I might be the one responsible for the lost limb in the first place and it would likely be scattered around with the rest of their pieces.
Boy can I think of so many ways I am going to live to regret typing that last line on the internet.
I used to be a paramedic.... I've seen and dealt with amputations before...so yeah, I guess I could do it.
In my line of work you usually don't think about what you have just done until it is all over... that counts for what I do now also, I don't think about what I am doing when coaching a mom through giving her baby CPR until the ambulance gets there... I just do it. I don't lose my composure until after I hang up the phone. Then I think.... how will I ever be able to do that again...but I just do.
I totally think I could do it for anyone...I don't feel squirmish about blood and stuff though.
My first response to this was "holy fack!"
After that - yeah, I'd probably do this for most people, including strangers. I can switch into emergency mode pretty quickly actually (even surprising myself). You just shake like a leaf later...
However, a certain asswad ex-boyfriend? Sure I'd pick it up... and then drop it in the closest ditch/off the nearest overpass/into a den of lions/tank of sharks. You get the picture :)
It would be an honor to pick up YOUR leg. (Seeing as you've loved me up in film and all.)
Ummm... (shouting in loud cheerleaderish voice) You dropped a little something back here.
Feeling whoozy. Dial 911.
I believe I can do that to a friend. Since I don't have any problem with blood, there is no reason I can't do it.
It's a lot easier dealing with body fluids of the people you love. I wiped two kids butts for years. I tend to wounds and hold ponytails back, but might find it difficult to do it for a total stranger. But who knows what we're capable of when we're in shock?
The other day we were at my inlaws swimming pool. I was talking to my MIL and I turned to see my daughter's head going under (she's 6) while she struggled to grasp for the ladder. My first instinct? I screamed. Loud. And then I realized my husband and FIL were in the pool with her, watching her, and she was trying to show them how she could (or in this case - couldn't) tread water. I almost had a heart attack. But did I jump up? Leap into the water with my clothes on? NO.
God I hate myself for that WRONG first instinct I had. Why did I just scream and sit there?
I think I would have picked up severed leg. My initial reaction to a crisis is very automatic and methodical. It is AFTER the crisis that my emotions catch up. I know this from when my dog had a seizure, and it appeared that he was going to die. My husband was freaking out and I was logically coming up with a plan to get the dog into the car and to the vet. (not so easy during a seizure) I broke down in tears once we got home from the vet. P.S. Our dog is still with us and doing well
Well, I'm not sure I can do that to friends and stranger. I guess it depends on the situation. But I would definitely do it for family.
I could do it. Stuff like that doesn't bother me, which is part of the reason I'm going back to school for nursing.
I've seen severed fingers before. Funny thing is, they don't look real.
What Jana said. I'm feeling woozy just thinking about it.
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