More of the ER Saga (purging)

So guess you are wondering ~ was the wrist/hand fractured???  First, lets back up to Saturday when I spent 5 hours in the ER and dependent on further developments and follow up with my primary care doctor.  It was 6:30 p.m. Saturday evening when I returned home with the mild swelling and seemingly controlled pain with Tylenol. 

NOTE:  you might get bored so I won't be upset if you don't finish the read.

Sunday I vacillated between heat (for arthritis pain) and cold for swelling while taking another Tylenol.  Went to bed and had a painful night.

Monday morning I called my primary physician for an appointment as instructed by the ER.  The facility she works is at the Mears Center which is part of the Tidal Health Care hospital system I visited at the ER.  Actually, Mears center also has an X-ray unit where I get mammograms and other x-rays.  

My appointment was at 1:30 and she arrived in the room about 2 p.m.  She didn't sit but asked what my problem was.  I explained the results of the previous Saturday x-rays, doctor's statement about fracture might not show for a few days and told her I now thought at the very least I had CELLULITIS.  I'd had cellulitis BEFORE so knew the signs.  

Actually I was hooking Nantucket Broom Ride when I had it before.  You can read about the cellulitis story and how Barb Carroll played a part of my dilemma at the link above.

My primary DR. told me she didn't think it looked like cellulitis (it was red, swollen and warm to the touch), that I should go back to the ER and have another X-ray to see if it was a fracture.  I asked if I needed a referral and she said there was nothing she could do for me.  This was 2 p.m. in the afternoon, the Mears facility HAS X-ray capabilities which would be cheaper than the wait and expense of a hospital ER.  But, I was sent on my way so checked into the ER yesterday, Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. and left at 7:30 p.m 6 hours later. GOD only knows what my bills will look like.

Results after a CT scan was no fracture, but did have CELLULITIS!!!!  Bingo!!!!    I was given a script for Cephalgin and have had 3 pills so far with 9 more days to go.  Already the pain has started to subside, fingers are moving better (not not perfect) and swelling down only a little.  After this post and dinner I'll put ice back on my hand.  

A little side story....... My primary care doctor gave birth to a child over a year ago and has been working 3 days per week so I got lucky with Monday.  I believe those are also half days.  Which means my appointment was at the end of her Monday shift and she wanted to go home ~ that's why "she couldn't do anything for me"..... because she didn't WANT to do anything for me; she wanted to be home.  

Me thinks me needs to find another primary care physician who wants to work.  

Sorry for the boring post and because I wanted to get at least a blog post done today since I'm lagging and check for inconsistencies later.  I just want a sorta normal evening home tonight and see IF,....IF I can pull a loop?????

Saundra

www.woodlandjunctionprimitives.weebly.com

Another Update on Nantucket Broom Ride

As I'm participating in the Out of Hand Rug Hookers Challenge finishing this rug is critical. Besides, I'd like to have it on my harvest table in time for Halloween.

Working from the bottom up toward the goode witch, all of my motifs at the bottom have been hooked.  Must say it does look better with the mustard tree to the far left so the eyes will circle the rug (thanks Lynne).  Since the original tree was shaped like a stick pine tree I had to change the design a smidgen to make it look like a regular tree without leaves.

So later this week I should be ready to tweak the goode witch who is having such fun riding the whale all over Nantucket.  If you would like to purchase this pattern it is based on the art work of Lori Brechlin and offered by Spruce Ridge Studios.

Arm still healing and will be done with antibiotics on Friday.  Earlier today I had a chill thinking about how I'd put myself in a real medical crisis by not seeing a doctor when the horrible bruise first happened.  I didn't go until I was in excruciating pain 10 days later.  More than likely the cellulitis had developed early and I waited and put my life in jeopardy.  Cellulitis doesn't sound so critical, but it is; it is a potentially deadly illness and was very foolish to not have gone to a doctor with the red swollen bruise right away.

Have a good evening everyone.

Saundra

Travels of the Witch on A Whale and other stuff

Since today I'm feelling more normal will do more of a post, sorry that I've been in outer space for a while.  Mama ain't happy with the numerous lines of color around the small witch with the outline to define the arm and the halo effect to separate the so close in value colors of dress and background.

Personally I feel witches wear either purple, black or grey dresses those are my choices.  Well can't be black, can't be grey because the whale is that color and so is the witch's hair.

In the picture below you can see the background wool under the 3 purple choices I pulled from my stash.  The first two seem too light to me and the wool on the far right is the same wool as is in the roof of the first house which can be seen with the background without a halo.  It may look brownish in the picture but is a purple.  If I use that then I intend to give my witch pointy green shoes like her scarf color. Otherwise the black shoes would need to be haloed  or would have to give her flesh colored feet.

Oh, I put a couple of those far right purple strips on the witch's hat so you can see what it will look like.

Now the 'other stuff'.  Many have asked how I am feeling and thank you for your concerns.  This was way different that the two day flu like illness had previously but was afraid to say I had a bacterial infection (aka Cellulitis).  

Was asked if I got the infection at Cape May and the answer is an emphatic NO.  This was an injury caused by my beloved dog Ben who wants to kill cars.

On 9/25 he thrashed about with his metal collar or head hitting my arm numerous times attempting to pull away and chase a moving vehicle. Ben has no fear and heads straight toward the front tires.  

I had a huge contusion, bruising and redness but applied ice numerous times during the next few days so most of the swelling and redness disappeared.  That is until 10/5 (10 days later) at night when I was in excruciating pain, swelling and redness reappeared and was sure I must have had a break or at least a fracture.

Went to walk-in urgent care, the x-ray showed no broken bones.  But, I had cellulitis (aka bacterial infection) in my arm.  The arm was feverish, really red and painful.  That night my fever (at one point) reach 102.5 and think it was higher than that previously because I blacked out, in a standing position holding onto the fireplace for 4 hours until I reached a certain level of consciousness.  So I am on heavy antibiotics, called the urgent care about my comatose like symptoms the next day and they said it was due to high temperature.  My temperature has stabilized and take the temperature often so I don't black out again.

So, I’ve put new batteries in the shock collar and while I thought it inhumane to use before have now changed my mind.  I’d rather he get the hell shocked out him for a second than me with a potentially deadly infection once again.

Have a good evening everyone.  Am getting ready to hook on the rug for the first time today.

Saundra