or lack of

Still running a temp, still swollen like a balloon, will run out of pain meds today, Jen had to take electric ice pack back to work. Put call into Docs office for pain meds & questions this AM - hoping they call back. Had to call emer. # Sat. due to swelling, told us to cut wrap full length but not remove braces, stretch out & rewrap over old one.

Otherwise, moving right along here......will be reading some.......

By Boxzgrl on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 10:58 am:

Oh Karen. I feel so bad for you. I wish there were something we could do to help. I can't imagine the pain you must be going through. Hopefully your doctor understands that and puts a rush on your pain meds.

I'll be thinking of you.

By Karen~admin on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 11:03 am:

Thanks. DH actually ordered 1 of the ice packs from med. supplier online-it's not here yet. Just taking it day by day. Thank God for laptops. No more typing for me today tho.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 11:06 am:

Love ya Karen....

By Trina~moderator on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 11:22 am:

(((((Karen)))))

By Dawnk777 on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 11:23 am:

{{{HUGS}}}

By Happynerdmom on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 11:46 am:

{{{Hugs}}} I'm sorry things aren't going as well as you hoped. Hang in there!

By Tklinreston on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 02:00 pm:

I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through. You must be in so much pain. I hope you get through this quickly and all that you are going through now well be worth it and a distant memory.

By Longaboo on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 02:29 pm:

Ouch, I feel your pain. I had Carpal Tunnel AND Cubital Tunnel (carpal tunnel of the elbo, the funny bone nerve) the day before Thanksgiving, both on my right hand/arm. It's Feb. now and I am doing great, it was a bad memory but not that long ago. I have a arthritis in my thumb joint on my left hand that bothers me a lot, but I was told not enough to have surgery yet. I am interested to know how well this goes for you. The Carpal Tunnel part wasn't too bad. I know, I know...right now all you want is some help from your "little friends"...Percocet and Vicodin...I will pray for you a speedy recovery.

By Andi on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 02:32 pm:

Still thinking about you and keeping you in my prayers. Hope you got some more Pain Meds.

(((HUGS)))

By Tink on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 04:20 pm:

You remain in my thoughts and prayers, Karen. I hope that the pain meds are approved quickly and that the swelling goes down soon.

By Crystal915 on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 05:25 pm:

((((Karen))))) Feel better soon!

By Nicki on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 08:33 pm:

Karen, I'm so sorry you are hurting. I hope you were able to get some relief today with some medication.
Keeping you close in thought.

By Debbie on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 08:39 pm:

Oh wow! I hope things get better for you soon. It really sounds like a slow, painful recovery. {{{{hugs}}}

By Jelygu on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 09:35 pm:

Sorry you feel bad... I hope you are getting some relief by now! I be thinking of you!

By Marcia on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 10:48 pm:

Oh Karen, I'm so sorry to hear your recovery is so painful. I hope that you were able to get some more pain meds. Keeping you in my prayers.
xo

By Hol on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 02:57 am:

Karen, I'm so sorry that you are so uncomfortable. I hope that you start to feel better and that the swelling goes down soon. Keep an eye on that fever. That's not normal. I also hope that you get pain meds today. ((HUGS)) to you.

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 02:21 pm:

Feeling a bit better today. Got a refill on my meds, but I hate the way people make you feel about yourself when *you* are the one in pain. I only WISH drugs could make me high. LOL Swelling is still pretty bad, still have low grade temp - the nurse sort of implied that was *my* fault - go figure........ There is this one nurse that is a *****, and I'm surely going to mention it tomorrow at my appt. Not sure if I'll be able to drive there myself, but am going to try and if not, will take a cab. I'm up moving around a bit more today, and eating too much, so those are good signs! :-)

I can't even get my wedding band on my PINKY finger. :-(

By Debbie on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 02:46 pm:

{{{hugs}}} Oh Karen, that looks so painful. I am glad you are feeling a little better today.

By Wandilu on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 03:47 pm:

Oh Karen...BLESS YOUR HEART !! It hurts to look at your pictures,I can only imagine how you must be feeling!! I wish you a speedy recovery and I will be praying for you

By Vicki on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 04:05 pm:

OMG that looks like it really hurts! You poor thing!! I hope your feeling better soon and that swelling goes down!

By Rayelle on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 06:59 pm:

OMG! I hope you feel better soon!!!!

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 07:33 pm:

Yikes, that looks painful! I'm sorry the nurse has treated you so poorly, that is just unacceptable. I'm glad you are feeling better, hope you continue to improve!!

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 08:21 pm:

Gosh, don't get me started on the medication issues. Lets just say, I am the only person in my life that gets rewarded for failing a pee test every three months.. I have had my fill of judgemental people/attitudes. Walk (hoble) a day in my shoes and then you can have an opinion....

Anyway, glad you got a refill, report that nurse and OUCH!! (((WARM FUZZY HUGS))) and lots of prayers.

By Nicki on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 10:27 pm:

Karen, I feel so badly for you. I just can't imagine the pain.
I'm sorry about the nurse. There always seems to be one like her, or at least that's been my experience. I don't understand how a fever could possibly be someone's fault. You are in pain and suffering and need help, that's what matters. You deserve better treatment.
Hugs and prayers.

By Karen~admin on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 10:45 am:

Thanks, you guys!!! Bobbie, I am right there with ya!!!!! :-)

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 10:55 am:

Karen, that looks so uncomfortable, to be that swollen. Keeping you in my prayers.

By Dandjmom on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 11:21 am:

Hope the swelling goes down soon. there is a nurse like that every where. I would report her. Hope you are back to feeling better soon.

By Tklinreston on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 12:30 pm:

My goodness Karen you must be in so much pain. What a trooper you are! I really hope the swelling goes down quickly. And re the nurse, it just upsets me SO much to hear she gave you a hard time. How dare she even imply any of this is your fault? I would definitely mention it to the doctor. A few years back I accompanied my mom to her dr's appt -a facility associated with one of the hospitals here, to translate for her and the nurse/technician was so incredibly rude, condescending and racist that she literally made my mom cry. Of course we left and as we were leaving we got in a pretty fierce argument in the waiting room in front of everyone. I wrote to the head of the hospital (1st time every writing a formal complaint to anyone) and she was terminated immediately. She had been written up before. So I am a firm believer in not letting these things go as it will prevent others to be mistreated. Best of luck to you Karen and hope you feel better tomorrow!

By Karen~admin on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 06:01 pm:

I lucked out today. LOL I had a 2:30 appt, and we were told it would *be a wait*. The waiting room was nearly full when I arrived. Well, I had my huge ice pack wrapped in a towel with me, wrapped around my hand/arm, and it must have helped speed ME into the back, because they looked at the ice pack and looked at the swelling in my hand & immediately took me to the room where you wait for Xrays or casts. 30-40 minutes in there, and into an exam room. Stitches taken out, a rash EVERYwhere (This started a few days ago, the itching underneath the bandage, and hives on the back of one thigh), sent for Xrays, then the doc was in. I had my say, he said the itching/rash was from the Hibiclins left on the skin from surgical prep and that it was common. Told me to stop icing and move my fingers once the cast was on. I didn't get a chance to complain about the other nurse, but several of them had occasion to come in & see the swelling. He did write an Rx for the electric ice pack we purchased for use when I do the right hand - DH discovered that with an Rx, our insurance *should* pay 80%!!

So, I have a hot pink cast, which will have to be replaced in 7-10 day once the swelling is gone. Come out of the cast hopefully on March 20 and then start rehab/therapy. I was told to schedule the right hand surgery well in advance, at that time, so I can be the first surgery again, which was great, cuz I was home between 10 & 11 AM!

Told me to go back to the meds my pain management doc has me on when the current meds run out, and call if I have any problems.

Aside from being extremely sore and swollen (and hating the cast!!), I am feeling better/stronger today, moving around a lot more, and feel like the worst is behind me - this time. LOL

Thanks for all the well wishes!!!!! Hoping to be on the board more now.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 10:41 pm:

I'm glad you are feeling a little bit better! Ugh on the rash, though.

By Annie2 on Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 10:39 am:

Glad you are feeling better. When you are all healed after the second surgery, I'm going to meet you in NO for a hurricane at Pat O's!

By Marcia on Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 10:58 am:

Wow, that sure looks sore!! I'm glad things are starting to get better for you!