Made in the Shade: The Dangers of Showering

Nicole jammed her finger showering- yes, showering! She was just trying to get the last of her conditioner out of the bottle. It didn't cut it or anything, but it just kept swelling for several days. She got a staph infection and she was admitted to the hospital for 5 days. She had two surgeries, one to drain it and treat the infected tendon sheath and put a drain in, and the second a few days later to close up the wound since it couldn't be closed during the first surgery because it was so infected. She was on heavy duty antiobiotics through a picc line that continued for weeks even after coming home. Kent and I had to learn how to give the medications through the IV, which had four syringes to be done at 6 AM, 2 Pm, and 10 PM. This was very problematic with our work as well trying to work lunch hours, etc around giving the antiobiotics. She had to come ande live at our house after release so she could be treated. She has had two months of physical therapy and things are beginning to return to normal. She only ended up out of work for a little less than a month. She had some restrictions returning, but it all worked out.

This is what it looked like before the stitches came out with scars in the palm and on her finger.

According to Nicole, Kent is the better nurse. He was more precise, and more gentle.

This is our arsenal of syringes, heparin, saline and the antiobiotics were all in the refrigerator. We had to add an IV pole for the first few days home for her arm had to be tied up in a Texas sling.

Nicole was pretty anxious and stressed out upon being admitted to the hospital. Partly out of fear, but partly upset because she can't drive her brand new car (it had less than 5 miles on it) , and partly because she had tickets for comedian Brian Regan at Tuacahn and she didn't want to miss it. After having the surgery and stabilizing, she pestered the doctor until he gave her leave to go to the show for a couple of hours. She insisted that "laughter is the best medicine". Casey picked her up in a Mustang convertible and she had a great time. She felt like Cinderella at the ball, for she had to be back by 10:30 to get her next antiobiotic treatment, OR ELSE! She made it with just seconds to spare.

Having the picc line put in so that the antibiotics could be given more easily and the frequent blood draws were easier, since she has such tiny little veins. Nurses don't make great patients though, she would look up her own lab reports on her laptop and diagnose herself, make suggestions, etc.