Oweeee!!!!!

So Friday Rich and I had a huge to-do list to tackle. The first thing one the list was to set up a portable garage. This is so we can move all of the garden stuff, atv, trailer, and general summer type items out and move the cars and “winter stuff” in. We were literally down to putting the last bolts in when something shifted and my ring finger on my right hand was crushed between two of the supports. I didn’t even see it coming. As soon as my hand got loose I knew something was horribly wrong. You know when you smash your hand in a door or something it immediately starts to throb? Well this time it didn’t, it was numb. Not incredibly painful -yet! So knowing something wasn’t quite right I told Rich I didn’t want to take my glove off. I was scared to see what it looked like. With his urging I took it off to find the portion of my finger above my top knuckle was as flat as a pancake and pretty much detached – just dangling. Needless to say we were both a little freaked out and headed straight to the ER. The pain started kicking in as soon as we got in the car and I have to say it was the WORST pain I have ever experienced. The pain subsided a bit by the time we arrived at the ER – and man was I thankful for that! It started bleeding on the way there. When the triage nurse asked to see it you should have seen the look on her face! She promptly made me cover it back up and called another nurse over to see it. She verified that I was a “stage 3″.

I have never been through and ER so fast in my life. As soon as they got all the info I went straight to get an x-ray, no waiting, and then into a room. Rich was great, trying to keep me calm. The Dr. came in and had seen the x-rays- not my finger yet, and asked “What in the world did you do to your finger?” Then she took a look at my finger. Her reaction was unlike any I was expecting, I mean this was and ER doc that was used to seeing all kinds if gruesome stuff. She had a disgusted-but not trying to look disgusted- look on her face. She was very quite too. Rich asked if we are going to have to worry about nerve damage, she looked him straight in the face and said “Yes”. You have to appreciate a doctor who isn’t going to sugar coat these things. She had me soak my hand in water/antibiotic mix and left the room. The nurse came in and told me she was going ti start an IV. Just then the DR. came back in and explained that she was going to numb my finger by doing a digital block. That was intense!!! But shortly after my finger was completely numb and I was so grateful!

They thoroughly cleaned and started to repaired my finger (as much as they could) and told me that on Monday I have an appointment to see a neurologist. I was given two rounds of IV antibiotics. They explained that the bone is shattered and my finger was nearly amputated (We managed to figure out that one on our own) so I am on a strict regimen of antibiotics and pain killers. We went to our regular Dr. office yesterday for a dressing change and it is looking pink and I can feel it (which they say is good thing but I’m not so sure ) Rich gets the honor of changing the dressing today. We have lovingly named my finger “Franken Finger”.  The pain comes in waves but as long as I keep my hand elevated it doesn’t get too bad.

Needless to say, I’m not going to be back on the torch for a while. I guess we will know more tomorrow but I’m just happy everything is back together. I’ll keep you guys updated. Stay warm and safe!!!