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.
willowdot21 
You are sharing an important lesson sis..I’m just glad you’re okay 🥰
Thank you Sis 💜
Lesson learned. Thank you so much for sharing, Willow. We all need to be careful. A prayer offered for continued improvement.
Thank you John , thank you so much 💜
Thanks for sharing your story and all your photos. You never think that a small cut could lead to a story like this. X x
Never in a million years and I kept saying to hubby stop taking photos , but he said we might need a record of what happened. Good job he did really 💜
Yes a really incredible story. X
Thank you for reading 💜
I am so very sorry Willow! I hope you continue to heal. This sounds awful. You just never know what will happen with any little scratch or bite. Please keep us all posted as to how you are doing. I will be praying for your healing.
Thank you for your good wishes I am on the mend. Stay well 💜
Glad you are well on the mend Willow. A very scary time for you.
Hubby has just been prescribed Tramadol which he knows sends him silly after ten minutes, but it does keep the pain away and is only an emergency when the dihydrocodeine fails. He can take up to 6 of those a day apparently, and I’ve seen what it does when he’s taken just two or three! He only took 3 once as it scared us both.
I was addicted to Tramadol and Gabapentin, yes they work at first. But try not to depend on them too much. Hope I am not overstepping a mark. But they are addictive , no one medical will tell you that though.💜💜
Hubby is aware of it, thanks Willow. He doesn’t take the dyhdro unless he really needs to as that doesn’t always work, and the Tramadol is a last resort. He is very good with his pain meds even though he’s in constant pain 24/7 but of varying degrees. No two days are the same and this is why we are so angry about the PIP assessment as the assessor didn’t once touch on the reasons why he was on disability. We’re still waiting for the outcome but 99% sure he’ll lose it so we’re planning to appeal.
Oh! This is so wrong you must appeal, I get so angry with these people . They load the forms and questions against you. Those who swinging the lead seem to get what they want while the genuine like your hubby have to jump through hoops. I am glad he has the pain meds sussed 💜
We completed their 40 page questionnaire and backed up our answers with correspondence from consultants and specialists. It’s not just the money angle (as you know we are on a limited budget but manage), but he’ll lose his Blue Badge too. Luckily our car is ours not part of the mobility scheme, but he cannot use public transport and the DLA keeps it on the road.
You must keep appealing . Is there any one who can help you . Oh! This makes me so angry it’s not fair , not fair at all.💜
We’re still waiting for the initial outcome which we were told could be two to eight weeks (the money was paid in last week as usual). We have plenty of documented proof to back us up and the first thing we’d ask for would be an assessor with medical experience, not a bimbo data inputter who seemed more intent on going to lunch on time.
Don’t give up and you can always appeal . 💜 I have my fingers and toes crossed for you 💜💜
thanks Willow
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Ps. I know the type of bimbo assessor to whom you refer!!
I hope he is okay 💜
He’s doing OK and we take each day as it comes. Thanks.
Not easy though is it 💜💜
No. It amazes me how he keeps going sometimes.
Thank you for sharing. It is good to know. Sorry you had to suffer so much. I hope that you fully recover soon or may be you are now. Love and hugs. Regards bella.
Thank you Bella I am still recovering and doing well thank you 💜
Wishing a speedy full recovery.
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A similar thing happened to me years ago, surprisingly also on the middle finger of my left hand but on the inside of my finger, not the outside! I did have to have an operation to remove the thick pus that had built up between the tendon and the bone, and the resulting wound was kept open and packed with gauze until the infection cleared, at which point the wound was then allowed to close over naturally. Like you, it was a real eye-opener for me to realise how such a small initial nick to my finger could create such a huge problem – hope you recover soon Willow 🙂
Oh! That is awful Ruth, they kept asking me if it hurt at the back of the finger, it did but not as much as at the front. I am so grateful that I did not have to have an operation . I am watching bit though because bit is still sore and red . Oh! My we were both lucky weren’t we. Stay well 💜💜
You too! ❤
Thank you 💜
Wow! What an ordeal! So glad you are on the mend! ❤️💜❤️
I am getting there Kat, I know you have been there too 💜
Yes! I do understand. ❤️💜❤️
Bless 💜
Thank goodness you are doing much better now, but what a scary thing to have happen. xx
It certainly was , thank you 💜
🙂 ❤
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Glad you’ve been healing and I hope the healing continues. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you Tent 💜💜
Wow!!! No words! Healing thoughts! 💕
Thank you gratefully received 💜💜
What an ordeal, Willow. Sorry you had to go through this. I’m glad you’re getting better. ❤
Thank you Miriam I was very lucky💜
Yes, you are. I researched on Sepsis. It could cause death. ❤
Yes indeed it can and amputation which was discussed.💜
Oh no! Willow. I’m sorry to hear that it was so close and so scary. Glad you’re getting better. ❤
I am slowly 💜💜
Good to hear that. ❤ ❤
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Thanks for writing them, they’re clear and let people know exactly the risks
I’ve stuck them both on facebook because I think people really should see them
Thank you Jim I hope if people read these posts they can see how quickly things can get dangerous and how if not treated quickly it will not get better. 💜💜
It still looks horrible, but I’m crossing fingers it’s finally healing!
Me too thanks 💜
🙂
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I totally understand this. My friend’s mother died a month ago from sepsis. They didn’t even know the source of the infection. She felt unwell on Tuesday, hospitalised on Wednesday, her organs started to shut down on Thursday. She died on the Friday. It was terribly sad and such a shock. It was also very frightening that this could escalate so quickly.
Bless you Willow. Take care of yourself!
Thank you Gloria , I am so sorry to hear about your friend’s mother. That’s the point it is so quick and often so well hidden. Medics are getting better at treating it but many GPs are so rushed and busy the give you pills and put the responsibility on the patient to “keep an eye on it ” we must all be vigilant. I am sending hugs for you and your friend.
I’m so careful now Willow. Thank you. 🙂
I am glad to hear that 💜
This is very important indeed. We underestimate it in general. I can only confirm what you said since my youngest son developed a blood poisoning within only few hours. It was very serious.
I am glad all went well and that you are doing better again.
Sepsis is an evil thing very quick an seruptisious we all need to be careful 💜💜. I hope your son is fully recovered 💜
Oh, and yes, he had to keep his leg high. It was on his toe but the red line already had reached his knee and so he got a cast over almost the whole leg. That is about 6 or 7 years ago.
It’s such a scary thing, and much more common than we realize. I am so glad he is fully recovered. 💜💜
That’s true and that’s why it is of great value that you showed us the importance with your post.
Thank you 💜
💖😊💖
Definitely, we don’t need to overreact but be got to be attentive and cautious!
Yes indeed 💜💜
A terrible experience, Willow. I hope the finger is now okay. I forgot to say in my previous comment that I get sepsis from bee stings. I am one of 1% of people in the world, aren’t I lucky. I got stung last year on my foot and this exact thing happened to me. The infection went but it was still tender and painful for about 10 days afterwards. Thanks for your previous comment, I can’t seem to reply there. Silly WP.
That is so unfortunate to be the 1% , gosh wasp stings are really nasty at anytime but to get sepsis from them is a nasty double whammy. I hope you have a wasp free time 💜💜💜
Oh, my!!!!!!!!! What an ordeal and how patient you are too!!!! So glad it’s all in the past now! xoxo
Almost, still recovering , thank you for reading and caring do be safe 💜
I know, but the worst is in the past!!!! xoxoxo
Oh! Yes indeed thank you so much 💜💜💜
Oh heck Willow, so glad you’re on the mend. What an awful experience for you. I know how dangerous Sepsis is so glad you’re getting over it now xx
Thank you Sam it was a bit of a shocker, I am on the mend but the finger is still sore. The skin is all dying and peeling off… Yuk but at least I still have the finger 😜😃😃 how are you keeping 💜 💜💜
I’m good thanks 😊 sounds terrible Willow 😢 onwards & upwards for you now though ❤️
Yes indeed 💜 thank you 💜💜
Thanks for posting this part two, Willow. (Read it a few days ago but didn’t get a chance to comment until now.) I hope it’s all healed up now. Will certainly be more aware of cuts and scratches from now on! You’ve probably saved a lot of people from going through what you did! ❤️❤️❤️
I do hope I have helped someone , the finger is not quite right yet. But it’s on the mend 💜💜💜
Glad it’s improving. Hopefully you never have to go through that again! ❤️❤️
I hope so too Betty, I would not wish it on anyone 💜
Oh my goodness. Thank God you persisted and got treatment in time! Hope you are feeling much better now.
Thank you it was very scary, and the finger is still not quite right yet. I really just wanted to warn people of how quick and nasty sepsis and celluloses can be . Keep well. 💜
Well done for sharing this. It’s so frightening to think that a tiny scratch can do this! Hope you’re back to full health Willow.
I am not quite yet, the finger is still sore and I need a scan but I am so much better than I was though. 💜💜💜💜
Glad to hear you are much better than you were. Take care Willow and make sure you rest, xxx
Thank you Marje I am 💜💜💜
❤ xxx
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Oh my, these two posts are by far the scariest thing I’ve read this month and I’ve read a lot of horror. All from an innocuous cut, shiver. Thank you for sharing and educating. I hope you are feeling a lot better.
Hi Chris and thank you for reading. I am on the mend now . I have to have a scan on the finger on the 2 nd September hopefully all will be well. I am very tired but my strength is back. I felt I really needed to share as sepsis is so sneaky and dangerous! Keep well . 😃💜
Thanks Willowdot, great that you wrote this article, I only wish I had read it when you first wrote it. 18 months ago my brother, a really superfit cyclist aged 77, fell off his bike and scratched his arm. He died 4 months later from sepsis after it destroyed his liver and and was in terrible itching misery all over his body the whole time. The inquest did not find anybody did anything wrong. There seems the NHS is missing something with regard to sepsis. I have never seen any publicity campaign about it.
Oh! I am so sorry to hear about your brother I am so sorry for your loss. Sepsis is a really nasty thing it is so innocent to start with and if allowed to take hold can lead to amputation and even , as you witnessed death. I agree there should be much more made of it as people have no idea how a tiny wound can do so much damage. Sending you and your family much love 💜