Out of commission for a bit
I have managed to cut my hand (again.) Much worse than before. Cut across three knuckles and cut through the tendon on my middle finger. Will be having surgery within the next week. Not sure how much computer time I will be getting for a bit.
My hubby and my BFF have been putting me in daycare at her house most days where she does not allow me to do much of anything and I will not have my computer with me.
If anyone has suggestions for dealing with the pain or speeding healing after the surgery, I would love to hear them. Looks like I won't be getting any paychecks for a couple months. Not much lite duty work in a deli that can be done with one hand.
Comments
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@vickeym I'm so sorry to hear that. I will pray for you.
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@Michelle D Thank you. I appreciate that. I can use the help.
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@vickeym I am also sorry to hear that this has happened. I hope that you can find some good in your downtime.
For such an injury I'd prefer not giving advice as I feel mine would be inadequate, but I can still offer prayers for quick healing as well.
I know you'll get solid advice here to help you out. 😀
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@vickeym I will pray for you too.
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Went in for consultation today and they went ahead and did surgery while I was there. Wasn't expecting that. Gave me prescription for antibiotics but nothing for pain. Was gone for around 12 hours total. DR said surgery went well.
Anesthesia is wearing off, not a good feeling. But should heal completely.
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@vickeym doing the surgery immediately is not something I would have expected either. I'm glad that it went well and you are on the road to recovery.
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@vickeym sorry to hear that. You are in the hands of professional doctors, so I would assume they know what they do. I cannot think of any advice at this stage. May be later when the wound starts healing one could apply washings or poultices or some ointments with herbs. I wish you fast recovery.
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Well, now that the anesthesia is completely worn off, it is definitely not fun at all. They surprised me by doing the surgery yesterday, but I did know it would be done soon. They told me from the start it would have to be done within 7 to 10 days in order to fix the tendon.
I am praying the tendon repair works and holds. Would rather not lose all or partial use of the finger.
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I believe Marjory did a video on a Prickly Lettuce tincture that helps with pain. I remember having a bunch & made some but have not tried it for pain relief yet. I was just soaked in some high proof alcohol then drained.
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@gardneto76 Yes, I found an article on using the sap. Unfortunately, all I have so far are the leaf greens, not even a foot tall. I planted some this spring, but got them out late. Our weather has been so crazy this year not much is happening. Only a few days since July 4th that have not rained. Flood warnings all over. June was basically very hot and draught conditions, once the rain did come it has not stopped.
Does anyone know if the leaves work, maybe just milder?
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I'm sorry to hear about your hand and wish you a speedy recovery! Would comfrey help speed the healing?
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@Cornelius I have wondered about that as well, but since it was a fairly deep cut and required surgery to reattach the ends of the tendon to each other... I wasn't sure if or when it would be safe to start using it. Did not want to risk sealing in an infection.
Thought I should wait for a bit. Surgery was on Friday so only three days out. If anyone knows how long I should wait or if I should use at all, feel free to chime in. Never had to deal with an injury like this since I started into herbals and homeopathic. Only second time I have ever had to have stiches.
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@vickeym yes you can use the leaves as the sap is in them and in the veins. I have even nibbled on the leaves just to taste them. They are pretty tasty when they are young, but as the plant bolts they get very bitter. Soaking the leaves in the alcohol draws out the good stuff.
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@gardneto76 Thank you. I have lots of leaves. I was just reading an article that also showed to chop up the leaves, boil them, strain, then simmer to reduce the liquid to a paste for a concentrate. Does not say how long it is good for, but lots of information anyway.
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@vickeym wishing you a speedy recovery.
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Thank you all for the prayers and good wishes. I get to remove the stitches either tomorrow or Friday. Have not heard from Physical Therapy yet, though surgeon wanted me in therapy within a week of surgery which doesn't look like it is going to happen.
Still cannot lift finger hardly at all, from it's current position. I can lower a bit and bring back, but not bring up level to a flat hand position. Have taken arnica homeopathically several times, but not regularly.
Hoping it will get better when swelling finally goes down. Hand and fingers still pretty swollen.
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Sorry to hear about your injury. I know prayers really do work and I will add mine.
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@vickeym how is your healing going?
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I recall that Solomon's Seal is supposed to be good for tendons and joints. I cannot find the info that I know I saved, and Rebecca Altman does not sell remedies any longer. Her Busted Joint Ointment and tincture helped heal my badly sprained wrist about 10 years ago. I will keep looking for the recipe she posted when she decided she wasn't making more.
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@vickeym So sorry to hear---hope you are feeling less pain and you are healing nicely. Prayers for you!
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So far pain is mostly gone. I have a lot more use of hand since they changed the splint from a full solid finger style to something that looks like a figure eight. The ring and index finger go through the two holes and the middle finger with the injured tendon sits on top of it. I can bend the finger down from the center knuckle but brace keeps it from bending at the hand joint.
First therapy wasn't bad but not much actual use at that one. More taking measurement of dexterity and swelling with just a little exercise. Have second session this afternoon and go back for follow up with surgeon on Wednesday.
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I'm so glad the healing is progressing well. Keep us posted and feel totally better soooooonnnnnn!!!!!
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Praying for continued healing @vickeym.
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Found the article I was looking for on Solomon's Seal, by jim mcdonald
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@Linda Bittle Thank you very much. Interesting article, very informative. Now I just have to find someone who carries it other than Mountain Rose Herbs. I love their products but their shipping is extremely high to Alaska. I will also have to look into growing some. The last year has included several injuries which included nerves, tendons, cartilage and such for both myself and my husband.
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@vickeym Have you checked out Harmonic Arts as a supplier? I did a quick trial checkout for a few items and made up a fake name and delivery address for Talkeetna. The shipping was only $26.70. The Canadian dollar has dropped again to .74 US, so that might help with the cost.
Very good products.
They do carry a tincture of Solomon's Seal but no dried product.
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@torey Thanks, I'll check them out.
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Ouch @vickeym jumping in here late... sending love and prayers for healing. I would be poulticing it with - whatever you have, but prickly pear is my favorite. That cool muscinalagenous slime feels so good - ugh, how do you spell that?
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@Marjory Wildcraft Thank you. Don't have access to prickly pear here in Alaska. Tried to get my brother to bring me some from Florida but he didn't see any where he was at.
My hand is doing well. They just removed the stitches. Cut is healing well. Slow going on the tendon itself. They are still highly limiting my usage of it. Brace keeps me from bending at the knuckle on my hand. They are telling me no lifting, pushing, pulling or squeezing. Showers no baths, no dirty dishwater, no submerging hand in water... so basically don't use it. LOL
Pain is mostly gone. Therapy is slow. They don't want much pressure on the tendon until it heals. They tell me if the tendon comes apart, it is much harder to fix the second try.
I'm trying hard to be good and not use it. But that is not easy. A friend came and helped my husband butcher a couple200 pound pot belly pigs we were given. About 6 year old neutered males. Making sausage from them. Not much meat but tons and tons of fat. Won't have to worry about lard for a very long time. lol
Hubby is having to do all the fat removal and deboning. He has only ever done it once before and that was several years back. I am not allowed to help. Slow going for him and keeps him from doing other things he needs to get done. Leaves me off work with no paycheck and leaves them very shorthanded at work as there are several of us out at the same time for one reason or another.
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oops, forgot about the Alaska part.. LOL. Want me to ship you some pads?
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