Yesterday we decided to build a bike rack so we would have a place for all of our bikes. Our kids wanted to do what John does with his kids during conference. We have been at their home on many conference weekends and he always makes a fun project for the kids. As I was rounding up all my welding tools so we could weld it, I couldn’t find my welding helmet. I asked Jodi to run over to Dad’s and grab his while I get things all in place. I remembered that when I was younger I would weld sometimes without a helmet. With this in mind I proceeded to weld the frame work together. I noticed I couldn’t see for a minute after I finished but thought it will go away with time. I didn’t realize how much welding I had done until Jodi arrived with the helmet (she ended up having to get it from Dad’s new shop since it was packed up).
I placed the helmet on and finished the rack. As usual I was trying to do too much in too little time. I ended up running into the house and changing my clothes in order to make it to Priesthood mtg. I noticed at the mtg my eyes starting to hurt a little but thought it was just from the smoke from welding the galvanized steel on the rack.
As I went to bed my eyes started to hurt even more so I flushed them with Saline and went to bed. Wow was I in for a night. As soon as I closed my eyes to go to sleep it felt like I had a pound of sand in my eyes just grinding with every eye movement. I got up and flushed them again and tried to sleep, but nothing helped. I took some Ibuprofen to see if that would help, but it didn’t seem to do anything. Eventually I was able to hold my eyes with my hands and was able to get to sleep…but that didn’t last long. I woke again around 1 AM because of one of my frequent night sweats. I felt like I was laying in a bath tub it was so wet. As I opened my eyes to flush them again I thought they had been glued shut with super glue, the burning felt the same as when you get the fumes of super glue in your eyes. They hurt 10x worse than when I went to bed only now they hurt when my eyes were open or shut. I flushed them for about 20 minutes but they still just burned.
At 2:30 AM I decided a shower may help them, so I showered for about 45 minutes. They still hurt, but I just forced them shut and let them drip with the flushing of my tears. I kept thinking of the words to the song, “One heart in the right place”, “There’s no telling how much the sunrise means, to the one who had a terrible night” that was me for sure. The morning finally came. I think that was the worst pain I have yet to experience.
Education is not cheap – I learned my lesson! Sure you can weld without a helmet but you will pay the price. The delayed effect is what gets you, I thought I was fine but the damage had been done.
Facts:
Arc Burn – A burn resulting from brief exposure to intense radiation.
Symptoms tend to occur a number of hours after exposure and typically resolve spontaneously within 36 hours. The sensation has been described as having sand poured into the eyes.
Comments:
Jana said…
Man you are the same big brother I grew up with too impatient for the right equipment! Glad you are feeling well again. I bet the bike rack looks great!
Sunday, April 06, 2008 3:12:37 PM
John said…
There are two ways to learn. Thanks for saving us some future pain. I am glad you are doing the conference tradition. We actually did not do anything this year. I did repair the tether ball and air up some balls but we had a pretty mellow year in terms of projects. Take care of the eyes. You only get one set and there are some pretty cool things to look at out there.
Sunday, April 06, 2008 8:48:58 PM
Anne said…
OUCH! I hope you get some sleep tonight, sounds rough. Next time use a helmet!
Sunday, April 06, 2008 8:49:14 PM
Lance said…
Sounds like fun I feel you’re pain I had to have metal that was melted into my eye remove 3 times now. Twice they had to drill the rust out of my pupil. You would think I would learn my lesson. It felt very similar. Not very fun take it easy. Hope you start to feel better.
Sunday, April 06, 2008 8:50:05 PM
Dad said…
When you arc weld without a helmet, keep your eyes closed. Hope you haven’t done any permenant damage.
take good care of your body, it’s the only one you get.
Monday, April 07, 2008 2:32:28 AM
Steph said…
I know what it is like to have night sweats, take 400mg of vitamin E around 6 pm and it will help, that is what Dr. Barton told me and it works. As for your eyes, be careful with them, I had fluids build up under my cornia this weekend and it was a scary thing to think about loosing sight. Take better care of yourself so we can have a healthy, fun, Stephen for a long time. Love ya!
Monday, April 07, 2008 9:53:47 AM
Aunt Susan said…
Do you bowl and are your hands and feet about grandpa’s size? If so, have I got a deal for you.
motaba20@msn.com
Monday, April 07, 2008 12:36:05 PM
Stacie said…
Crazy boy! take care of your body. God only gave you one to take care of! I glad for Jodi that you have a place for your bikes though!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008 11:50:02 AM