A few weeks ago whilst changing my machine needle, my daughter came in and asked me to help with her dress zipper, not thinking I placed the needle between my lips whilst using both hands to do up her zipper. She asked a question but as my hands were busy and a needle in my mouth I mumbled a reply. The grunt annoyed my daughter as she did not realise my position. Once done I explained why I could not answer her. Well, she retorted that's a stupid place to hold a needle, what would happen if you were on your own and you swallowed it, quoting the 'Loan Worker Policy.' Why would I swallow it, I asked, do you think I am stupid? Besides, I would telephone you and ask you to come home.
And just how would you be able to do that, she responded, seeing as you would not be able to speak with a needle stuck in your throat!
I thought for a second. Well, I would grunt down the line.
Yeah she said and I would think it was a pervert calling and cut the call.
Well, you will just have to store this conversation won't you, so if you receive a grunting call remember not everything is as it first appears to be!
Yesterday, having spent the morning in the park with my 3 year old granddaughter, after lunch she fell asleep, so I took the opportunity to work on my project knowing she would sleep for at least an hour. I collected the threads and other bits I needed from the beautiful hand painted tins I use to keep bits and pieces tidy, which are arranged in order of size and stacked one upon the other on the quarry stone floor just inside the door of my project room.
There I was engrossed in my work and was just about to change the foot on my machine when the telephone rang. Returning to my work and thinking about the news I had just received, I forgot to change the machine foot or the needle setting, so when I put the machine going the needle hit the wrong foot and 'snap'. Darn it! Turning my head and looking across the hall seeing the little one still sound asleep, without thinking I placed the replacement needle between my lips whilst unscrewing the broken one.
I did not hear Amelia creep into the sewing room, but I did hear the horrendous clatter of tins as they crashed to the floor. I jumped so high, my tummy sank so low and at the same time I took a deep intake of breath. The needle between my lips shot right into my mouth and lodge in the back of my throat.
Seeing the look of both fright and pain on my face, Amelia burst into tears. Clearly given my situation I was unable to verbal comfort her and I knew grunting at her would make the situation worse. Scooping her up into my arms, I ran to the mirror to see if I could pull the needle out, I could just see the red tip but did not dare to attempt removal. I reached for the telephone and immediately dialled my daughter's office. I prayed my daughter would answer the telephone, but knew it was highly unlikely. Some consolation was she has caller display, so who ever answered the call would know it was from home.
Eawww ummm arrrh ooooww a variety of incoherent sounds escaped from my mouth (Yesssss I know you are all laughing now) The secretary repeated several times, I cannot understand you, before I heard her say to my daughter, I think we have a heavy breather on the line, the odd thing is the call is registered to your landline number. My daughter came on the phone, Milly Moo, (pet name) is that you playing with the telephone?
Eawww ummm arrrh ooooww, I started all over again. Milly Moo, My daughter repeated and then impatiently 'Amelia give the telephone to Grandma 'right now' sweetheart!'
Eawww ummm arrrh ooooww I started again and tried hard to make the sound louder with more urgency. A few more verbal exchanges took place before I placed the call on louder speaker.
By this time Milly clearly knew something was wrong with me.
Mummy Mummy, Grandma cannot talk. I knocked Grandma's tins down and there was a loud bang.
Was grandma at her machine when this happened my daughter asked.
Yes Mummy.
Did that make Grandma Jump sweetheart?
Yes it did, I am sorry Mummy I did not mean too.
That is okay Sweetheart, accidents happen.
Mum, my daughter said, have you got a needle stuck in your mouth.
Uhhhh Uhhhhhh I mumbled.
Okay she said I am on my way!
My throat is very sore.
It was very frightening but a lesson learnt!
The moral of the tale is..
Never place a needle in your mouth, not for a second.
1657
This realy is a horror story that turned out well. So glad that you have a smart daughter and are only left with a sore throught. Hugs.
21222Oh my - I do this ALL the time - and my 13 year old does it too (pins in the mouth - not the swallowing of them)!! Learned it from my mother. Could you imagine where you would be if you HADN'T just had that conversation? God is so amazing to have made you had that conversation so she would know just what to do!! I would have been terrified to pull the needle out of my mothers throat so I give her a thumbs up for doing it for you! Just in case you haven't thought about it - if the soreness doesn't clear up quickly - you may need to consider antibiotics. Not that our machines are dirty, but they do sit out and aren't in sterile environments. Your throat should heal very quickly on its own if its going to, so I'd say if its not healed in 48 hours I'd go to the doc for some meds!! Looks like a biscornu needs to be your next project :)
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
16 Apr 2011
My daughter has always told me not to do this, probably as I too have sewn since a very young age and I was always very strict in teaching both my children not to hold things in their mouths as it was dangerous, shame I did not practice what I preached! lol
~x~
1784Well, did you learn anything? Hope you are more careful from now on. Probably your daughter said that already.
1 comment
48168Oh Goodness! I just read this! I am so glad that your daughter was so smart to realize what had happened! Goodness imagine if you had not been able to call anyone. The thought is awful.
What will you do, so that you don't put them in your mouth unconsciously?
I am not trying to be mean, but you might have to do something like putting a little piece of masking tape (which can be easily and painlessly removed), on your mouth, so that you remember not to place them there. Just till putting them on the pin cushion, or a little box, or somewhere becomes a habit.
I have done it myself, I shall try not to do it ever ever again.
4 comments
by stitchship
16 Apr 2011
How about wearing a pin cushion on your wrist? If you see it there, you might remember to put them there, just don't poke yourself!
I used to push them into my bed or into a sofa if I was working there, but I learned the hard way not to do that. I'm so glad I didn't have a water bed or one of those air mattresses! ;)
by wishfulthinking
16 Apr 2011
Hello stitchship.
I actually made a wrist pin cushion by hand yesterday, it is not top notch, but good enough to do the job. If it is on my wrist, I am sure I shall remember to use it, the only reason I place pins in my mouth is because I always leave my magnet pin tidy on the cutting table. I saw a beautiful design for a wrist pin cushion on here somewhere, it looked almost like a little pumpkin, but I would not know how to make it, so oppted for a simple round circle on elastic, will do the job and thats all that matters..
I also used to stick pins in the arm of the sofa, then would forget and sit on them, so they became embedded in the arm lol
by wishfulthinking
16 Apr 2011
Hello stitchship.
I actually made a wrist pin cushion by hand yesterday, it is not top notch, but good enough to do the job. If it is on my wrist, I am sure I shall remember to use it, the only reason I place pins in my mouth is because I always leave my magnet pin tidy on the cutting table. I saw a beautiful design for a wrist pin cushion on here somewhere, it looked almost like a little pumpkin, but I would not know how to make it, so oppted for a simple round circle on elastic, will do the job and thats all that matters..
I also used to stick pins in the arm of the sofa, then would forget and sit on them, so they became embedded in the arm lol
12821Wow, glad you are ok now. What a horrible lesson. I do it all the time and one day my little babysitting girl said oh Grandma take that out of your mouth, what if you swallow it. I have never come close but monkey see monkey do and I have been trying to teach her how to sew....I'd best not do it anymore. Thank you for the reminder.
4436So good to hear you are doing fine .. Another thing not to put between lips is a pushpin tack. My daughter learned the hard way. She was with a friend putting up posters in her room and had the pushpin tack in her lips and the friend made her laugh and as she took a breath she inhaled the tack and it lodged in her right lung. Took 2 1/2 hours in surgery to remove it. You are so lucky you did not inhale them into your lungs. Thank goodness or things could have been worse. Take care.
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
16 Apr 2011
Oh my, not that is shocking. How dreadful, but I have heard of things like this happening. How so very scary for you as a mum. I am so glad it turned out alright in the end.
~x~
649First let me say that I am glad you are ok...Hope the sore throat clears up quickly...
Now I will tell you that as a child, I used to watch my mother, aunts and grandmothers sew all the time. I don't recall ever seeing them with pins or needles in there mouths, but when I was about 2, for some reason, I put a handful of pins in my mouth. Mom caught me and tried to stop me, but I swallowed 15 or 20 of them. She got the remaining ones out of my mouth and off we went to the ER. They did xrays and other various tests, then told mom that the pins seemed to be going through ok, so to give me a laxative and wait for the pins to come out. Eventually they all did! Honestly I don't remember any of this, but have been told over and over about it. I suppose I was extrememly lucky! I know from then on that none of the sewers in the family put pins and needles in their mouths-just to keep me from seeing it and copying.
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
16 Apr 2011
A mothere's nightmare. How dreadful for you all. I am sure mine was just a fluke accident and as it did not go down my throat, but the point past the tonsils and lodge (I think) in the back of the wind pipe, I guess I was lucky. Swallowing them completely must have been horrendous. You poor thing.
~x~
1122I am so glad you are doing o.k. by the way my name is Amelia also. a beautiful name.
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
16 Apr 2011
Amelia Rose are her christain names and yes it is such a pretty name and she is just soooooooooo adorable and very very cute and extremely spoiled! (That is my fault I am afraid I just cannot help myself)
~x~
3943Wow! That was quite the story. All these years I've been worried about poking myself in the eye (because my mom did!). Thank you, I'll remember this!!!
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
16 Apr 2011
I have actually done that too, poked myself in the eye with a needle, not hard, but hard enough. When I smoked I have also put a lite ciggy in my mouth too, the wrong way round and have burnt my lip. Oh the silly things we do.
~x~
1109I would never question you story. I am so glad you are OK. It is another one of those "I can't believe I did this stories" . Let it be a lesson for all of us. So glad you are all right!! Love , Kay
85867My My what a tale. You have sure made me think about doing that now. I do that all the time. Hope I can brake this habit. Thanks so much for sharing.
847Serious thing to have happen but what a charming and funny way to tell the story. I've been holding pins and needles with my lips all my life an never had that happen, but I'm sure it could. Thanks ever so much for the warning and the humor.
7293We do live and learn!!! But I will learn from you. No more needles in the mouth!!! Hugs & Thanx for sharing, Judy
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
Judy
Hugs and kisses right back at you. Thanking for reading this post
~x~
92391I'm guessing you have cured yourself of the "pin in mouth" habit. Thank goodness it wasn't more severe. Very scary to say the least, I'm sure. I know I'm cured. Glad you didn't have any damage other than your sore throat, which is enough I'm sure. Hope you're daughter didn't take that opportunity to say, "Told you so." :-)
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
My daughter has, did, does and continues to do so, every spare minute. This is going to take some time before any of the family forgets. I think she must have telephone the whole of the United Kingdom! I may have a sore mouth, but boy she sure does have a BIG ONE! lol
~x~
23222I'm guessing you have cured yourself of the "pin in mouth" habit. Thank goodness it wasn't more severe. Very scary to say the least, I'm sure. I know I'm cured. Glad you didn't have any damage other than your sore throat, which is enough I'm sure. Hope you're daughter didn't take that opportunity to say
23222Oh My gosh thats so frightening nearly scared me just reading it You should write horror books LOL Ill have nightmares for a week now . Im glad you are ok. I will never put anthing but food in my mouth again . Thank You !!
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
That's it Bobnlynn, you stick to food that's healthy. Your reply did make me giggle.
Re: writing horror books. As another hobby, I write short children's stories for family and friends and have them professional printed by an American company, some actually are quite scary. (to children that is) I also created picture books for my family and have them printed too.
~x~
3442For some reason my dad would not let us use our mouths for holding stuff as an extra hand or using our teeth as openers. He said, "That's what tools are for." A big Thank You to my dad for keep us safe. That really sounds much worse than getting a fish bone stuck. Glad the outcome was good. Now go find you a pincushion of some kind and attach it to your wrist. lol
2 comments
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
My dad also told us the exact same thing. How right dads are! But did I heed his warning? Clearly no, not until now. Wrist pin cushion, one step ahead of you capoodle, I made one this afternoon, by hand. lol
Thank you for your valuable comment.
~x~
by capoodle
15 Apr 2011
I also like to keep a magnetic type container. My kids first found me a paper clip holder that worked fine until it hit the concrete floor. lol By all means don't let the little ones see you with items in your mouth. They learn from imitation.
89895Yes, a lesson well learned. It would be nice if we all stopped putting needles in our mouths, but I'm sure some of us probably still will. It takes a lesson like this for some.
Just really glad you are OK. A sore throat is a minor detail compared to what it could have been.
1 comment
38558I'll say this is scary-I always stick pins in my mouth when sewing. One day I saw my 4 yr old granddaughter do it copying me-now after your story I will definitely change my bad habits and keep a close eye on her(she likes to practice pinning) No more-am glad everything worked out OK-albeit your sore throat.
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
OOOOOOO My little grandaughter copies almost everything. I felt so sorry she had to witness this, but lesson learnt, pin cushion made. Pins and needle in there from now on.
~x~
5046Wow, that is really scary, it could have been much worse. So glad you are ok. and thank goodness you had your that conversation with your daughter. How many times did she say I told you so?
1 comment
19430My word!! I stick pins & needles in my mouth to hold them all the time too! Don't all sewers? No more! I do pin them in the front of my shirt & then stick other people as well as myself...but that's NOTHING compared to your throat! Thank goodness the little one could answer her mom's questions!! Hope you're feeling better now!
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
I am feeling better thank you.
I have always placed pins and needles in my mouth, since I was at school, despite being told by my teacher the perils. Would I, did I, listen, clearly No. But I will try hard not to ever do it again.
~x~
35675I am glad you are alright, I have done that many times and every time I always think What if? Hope that I will remember your accident. Not to do it again. God bless you!
1 comment
26714Thank goodness you are alright! Sent you a pm.
Hugs Dawn
1 comment
9427My goodness this story is frightening. I'm so glad you are ok. BTW you are a good story teller. I probably do put a needle in my mouth once in a while without noticing so I will pay more attention and Not do that!
Thanks for sharing.
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
Sharing I understand is what this site is all about. I am just trying to give back to it's member's a tiny fraction of what they have given to me, by way of advice, tips and sharing facts etc. So Bumblebee, you are more than welcome, the pleasure is all mine.
~x~
37638OMG, I found the first part amusing but then, honest to God, I did not laugh! I am so glad you were able to get your daughter on the phone and she figured out the problem! Wow, I guess I will never again place pins or needles in my mouth! They always place disclaimers on things that have small pieces for you to keep away from young children, maybe we need them now too!
2 comments
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
Thank you leenova for your compassion.
My unkind daughter is as I type, strolling round the room with her mouth open, pulling the most ugly face and making ridiculous choking noises.
Clearly she finds it amusing. I shall slap her in a moment Rolf
~x~
by mary51
15 Apr 2011
I have to remember your experience for now on, I like you put needles in my mouth while i am sewing.
33580OMG - thank goodness you are all right. I do that with pins the whole time. Hopefully I will learn something here.
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
I have always done this, albeit, each time I do and something makes me jump a little I told myself not too, incase I accidently swallowed it. I actually think I was fortunate in more ways than one. The more I think about it, the more horrified I am. I can honestly say at this point. I will never ever place a pin or needle in my mouth again!
~x~
255049Wow, I am so happy you are okay!! Tell me - how did she get the needle out of your throat? I need to make sure that I don't put needles in my mouth!
5 comments
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
Very painfully!! With a pair of surgical tweezers. I had to keep my mouth open until she arrived. My jaw was aching so much and I was so frightened that if I dared to close my mouth I may force the needle downward, so (don't laugh) I actually wedged a cotton reel between my upper and lower teeth.
If I could have put my hands on the tweezers, I perhaps could have pulled it out myself, but my hands were shaking so much, I was conscious of the fact if I manage to grab hold of it, I may have let it slip or something.
Fortunately my daughter only works 3 miles away, so once the call was made she was here in a jiffi.
by lindalee757
15 Apr 2011
ok-so in all this time that transpired-you couldn't close your mouth-wedged it open-how did you swallow?? or did you drool??? I can't imagine how that worked for ya
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
lindalee.
Do I detect a note of dis-belief in your tone or is it sarcasm? If so, (forgive me if I appear rude, this is not my intention) I cannot imagine why you would think or to what purpose I fabricate such a terrible situation. Perhaps to collect more flowers! Why, I have a garden full. Oh Perhaps I am attention seeking, if this was the case, surely anyone capable of inventing such a graphic tale could strum up something more interesting or grippingly eventful.
Would you like my daughter to take a photograph of my red and slightly swollen throat and post it here for your perusal?
To answer your slightly mocking questions,
A Yes my mouth was wedge open after I called my daughter for approx 20 minutes or so. (At the time I never thought of starting a stop watch.)
It is not really difficult, try walking round for 20 minutes with your mouth open, perhaps instil a little fear, that should keep it open for longer without any difficulty.
B Why would I want to swallow, there was nothing remotely sweet about the situation which could possible induced salivation.
C When a person is actually quite frightened the mouth tends to dry up. So No I did not drool!
I can think of a few folk I would like to frightened, perhaps then they would dry up!
The only reason I posted this was as I have already said, for many years I like others without thinking have held pins and needles in our mouths, given what occurred I thought it would be helpful/useful to make others aware of the consequences of our thoughtless actions. Given your attitude, I will think twice before posting again!
I hope this has answered your questions
by lindalee757
15 Apr 2011
wow-there was no malice intented on my part-excuse me! I was simply asking a question
by danababes
15 Apr 2011
I was wondering the same as lindalee, thinking that with something stuck in your throat you'd salivate more and need to swallow .. but that swallowing might cause that needle to become further embedded (or go down - heaven forbid) so how would you avoid swallowing? I had no idea that a fright would dry up your mouth, wow aren't our bodies great? :) Awful way to find out and so glad you're ok. You're a great story-teller (yes, its a true story, I understand that) so I've learned two lessons from you: 1: don't put needles or pins in your mouth and 2: my little ones WILL copy me, so heed lesson 1. Thank you for the warning. Did you remember to change the foot so that you don't break another needle? hugz xXx
96265Oh my, I'm glad you are alright. So sorry you had to learn to break that habit the hard way. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
1 comment
29648I'm so very glad everything turned out alright! Sending you hugs . and *'s.
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
Thank you Deb I guess I was luckly. Lindalee says she read a similar episode a few years back, so there must be many sewing people that do this. I think the thing that upset me the most was my poor little granddaughter she was so upset and concerned, it must have been dreadful for her, not understanding why I was behaving that way and not being able to explain to her at the time. Now she walks round repeating, 'never ever put sharp things in your mouth, it is dangerous.'
Plus she tells me I am naughty, she gets that from hearing her mother's scolding toward me. lol
~x~
70755OH MY I CAN HONESTLY SAY I DON'T PUT PINS IN MY MOUTH AND I NEVER WILL NOW !!HOPE YOU ARE NOW OK THIS IS TERRIBLE TO HEAR I HOPE PEOPLE LISTEN TO YOUR VOICE!!CAROLYN
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
Yes Noah thank you I am okay and yes I do hope a lot of members read this and heed the warning.
~x~
360641The question is are you okay now and will you ever do that again???
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
The answer is, Yes I am okay, albeit shaken and NO I will try hard to break a habbit of a lifetime. Making a pin wrist cushion as I type!
~x~
72397Hope you will never do this again. I always wear slacks and have a habit of pinning the needles - machine or hand - just above my knee. I suppose even this has its dangers. Lyn
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
Having a pin stuck in ones leg has to be preferably to ones throat. So if we have to stick pins anywhere, other than a pin cushion, perhaps here is a better place, albeit not really advisable.
~x~
29801Scary thought huh? I still hold pins and needles in my mouth though-guilty. Seems like I read this same story or one close to it a couple years ago on one of the sewing sites that I used to go to-thought it would be a good reminder for me to take those pins out of my mouth, but.....
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
Lindalee
Please don't hold them in your mouth, I, like you have done this all my life. We are just silly.
~x~
20173Thanks for posting this! It has made me even more aware of one of the dangerous habits that I do have! I live alone and would never be able to get any help if I could not talk!!!! This could have well been me in that situation! It is a very bad habit but I have done it all of my life without thinking. Right now my allergies are so bad with no meds helping and all it would take would be one sneeze and it would be too far gone to get any help!
I am glad everything worked out good for you. I am sure it was a lesson well learned. Hugs and blessings, Linda
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
God for bid Linda. No one should do this,but given what you have written here least of all you. Please please find a safer place. If not for my granddaughter I could well have panicked or hyperventilated, then where would I have been.
It is a lesson well learnt, so make yourself a pin cushion to keep by your machine.
~x~
24961Oh my gosh, oh my GOSH, OH MY GOSH!!! I'm in total shock! ARE YOU OK NOW??????!!!!!!??????!!!!!!! Wow you gave me a cold shiver! Wow. Oh no, how horrible for both yourself and your granddaughter. I have a three year old and boy she would give me the same reaction I'm sure. HOW FRIGHTENING! Oh my gosh just so scarey. Dear oh dear! We always say "it only takes a second", and that's is horribly true for MANY things in life! Now that I'm over the shocking initail thought of it all... I'm GLAD you're mostly OK now.
Take care and I know I will think of your frightening story if I go to ever do that. I KNOW you will too! Be careful!
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
Oh Gosh katmug, It was not my intention to startle, nor shock you so much. I can tell how this has affected you. I am fine, just a very very sore throat and lots and lots of salt mouthwashes. A tons of scolding from my daughter! Whom is not impressed and qustions my ability to care for her child. Hmmm was a rather silly thing to do.
~x~
6190I often heard as a child. NEVER put anything in your mouth that could harm you if you swallowed it. We all need to remember this as well as Never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow. I'm glad you are ok, if the needle had gone down you would have a lot more problems./Lillian
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
Ohhh yes Lillian and I shudder at that thought. How stupid was I. The fact is, it is something that has nearly happened to me many times, but this time, it did, and now I am listening.
~x~
145791You poor thing.
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
Shirlene my dear, this is nothing compared to what others have to endure.
Warm wishes
~x~
211079You make it sound hilarious - but I'm sure it wasn't! That'll learn you - or will it?
1 comment
by wishfulthinking
15 Apr 2011
I can laugh now too Sue. One to tell the other grand-children, as Lillian
states, never put things in ones mouth that one is not supposed to eat and never stick things in your ears. And yes it has learnt me good and proper. lol
~x~
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