Never ignore a scratch, the dangers of Sepsis. Part 2.

The night of 24th/25th July.

The nurse set up my first drip and hoisted my arm up and got me into bed. I was in a very strange position but I could put up with that. She said she was sorry that I could only have two pillows as she had another patient coming in later and she didn’t have enough to go round. It was already 11pm and I wondered what time the next patient was coming in.

I was offered painkillers but as much as my hand and arm hurt I refused the prescription painkillers but I accepted paracetamol. I had to explain that I had been addicted to Tramadol and Gabapentin ( I have broken my back twice and had been addicted to painkillers…another story) so paracetamol it was….it didn’t help but there was no way would I take anything stronger.

I couldn’t sleep, there was so much going on, people taking my temperature, blood pressure at different times, changing my drip. The the other patient arrived that was all a flurry.

I couldn’t sleep for the pain and I couldn’t use my phone as the battery was low and I had brought nothing with me , not even a charger.

Me in a fetching hospital gown, lol, don’t I look a mess

I did eventually fall asleep but then the dreams started. One in particular, I was outside talking to a Dr when I fell back and everything went black, felt a strange floating sensation as I drifted into the sun, I remember thinking don’t let me die please. I woke up to find a nurse standing by me. I didn’t tell her about my dream but I decided not to go back to sleep as the dream was so scary. A long painful night.

Thursday 25th July.

As always with hospitals they come round early with tablets, then breakfast, I ran the gauntlet of the tablets again, but after explaining again I got away with just paracetamol 😁.

More blood pressure temperature and drips it all busy. I had a headache still but I felt that the drip was working. A trainee Nurse and the ward sister arrived and ask if I would mind the young nurse taking my blood. I agree but almost immediately regret it. I concosole myself that she has to learn somewhere. I end up with a spectacular 6 inch bruise because she nicked a vein .

The doctors come round and checked me out they were pleased with the results of the blood test, the infection has halved, not gone but moving in the right direction.

The doctor’s decided that I can go home with a massive dose of antibiotics and a sling to keep my arm elevated. But before I can go home I have to have two more I. V. Drips. The day passes I do not feel at all well but I am relieved to he going home later.

At 3pm my youngest son arrives to visit me just as the sister is giving me my antibiotics, 3x150gms of Clindamycin 4x a day. I am feeling so tired I just want to get home. So my lad takes me home.

It was hard getting in the car with the huge sling on but I just wanted to get home.

I was so glad to get home, to rest. I was so grateful to have all my fingers, toes and limbs. I rested and finally after about four sleepless nights I got some sleep.

Friday 26th July.

I slept in and got up late and rested with my arm propped up and took my tablets. Our middle son came to visit and cheer me up.

I also was sent lovely flowers from my sister in law and youngest son and our eldest son rang up to check on me too.

I couldn’t sleep very well as the finger was still very painful.

I spent the whole night awake in pain worrying that things were not improving.

Saturday 27 July

Much the same as Friday.

Sunday 28th July

No sleep and the same as the day before. We had mother in law round so I put on a brave face.

Monday 29th July

Much the same again, I finish the antibiotics, I decided to be brave and went with hubby to walk our lovely dog Ruby, my huge sling raised a lot of eyebrows and questions. We had a laugh and a joke with the other dog walkers and it did give me a lift. But I was still in pain. The finger was going down now which was a good sign.

Still had trouble resting or sleeping.

Tuesday no change again but kept myself busy doing what could but getting tired very easily. Still painful.

Wednesday day 30th July

Saw another doctor who said there was still infection in the finger so she gave me another course of the same antibiotics.

Thursday 1st August

The skin on my finger stared to die and peel off. It was leaving the finger red raw and stinging.

Then some of the yellow poison and dead skin fell off.

Not nice but I am just showing you what happened.

Friday 2nd August

Hubby took Ruby and me out to cheer me up which it did. I was still in the sling but my finger was so sore we decided to get some light tubular bandages to protect the finger. It would be lighter than the sling, less hot and sticky and would keep all the dead skin in one place.

This was a brilliant move the lightweight bandages are a real boon.

From 3rd August to 10th (today)

There has not been much change but the skin is flaking off of the whole finger now and it is still sore and throbs occasionally. There is still a deep red patch where the original wound was but I am keeping it clean, dry and covered plus letting the air get to it when I can.

I am keeping a close eye on it and if there is no improvement next week I shall be going to see the Dr again.

I do know that these two posts have not been fun to write or no doubt to read but I think it is very important to let you all know how dangerous it can be to get even a tiny scratch on your finger. Please all of you be vigilant 💜

This is part 2 of Never ignore a scratch, the dangers of Sepsis. You can find Part 1 here.