November 16, 2008

The story of the Big Toe

So some of you may know I've been battling an ingrown toenail for sometime. (5 months). Like most medical issues of mine I decide to watch it for awhile and hope that it will go away on its own. When it flared up again last weekend and got infected and my Dr. husband was telling me to go to the ER, I decided it might be time to do something about it. So I made an appointment on Wednesday to get some antibiotics from the FP clinic. While there, the Dr. recommended that I should get it "cut out" right then and so I let them do it. Well, a tech did it I should say and the procedure was well, disgusting and painful. Numb the toe cut down the side of the nail, yank the offending portion out (and I mean yank), and cauterize the tissue. So that was that. She sent me home with no pain meds and some antibiotics. A few minutes into the 25 minute drive home, I started feeling the pain. I started driving faster. I started hitting the steering wheel. I turned up the music, (anything to distract me), I started telling Jake, Man this hurts buddy! He kept reminding me "Were almost home". Luckily I had saved the 800 mg Motrin from having Cole. So I immediately took one. It finally started taking the edge off almost two hours later!!
I limped around for a day and tried to think it was getting better. Friday night I was up half the night writhing in pain and soaking my foot hoping for some relief. I slept through soccer games yesterday morning (Jared had to take the kids). I finally got up and moving and told myself it looked better. Then I finally through in the towel after lunch and told Jared "I think I am going to the ER". He had suggested this several times already. I couldn't deal with the pain any longer. 800 mg motrin was doing nothing at this point! The ER Dr. took one look at my toe and said "I can see why 800 Mg. Motrin is doing nothing for you, you need something way stronger!" They renumbed the toe (more shots- oh goody, goody). Then proceeded to scrape vigorously away at all the infected skin to get it to open up and drain so it would stop festering and throbbing. It took four different shots to numb the toe, two directly in the infected area. At this point I wanted to curl up in the fetal position and cry for my mom, but somehow I hung in there. After two Dervaset (narcotics:)!), and rewrapping my toe, and four hours later....I returned home to my family. Jared had dinner on the table, and all 5 children were happy. (He's a better mom then me sometimes)--He has been awesome through this whole ordeal.
After being home for a little over an hour it hit me just how worn out I was. I was nursing Cole and the room started to feel as though it was floating around me, my arms became week (I think from tensing them so much in the ER in pain), and I could barely yell up to Jared to please come get the baby, because I had to go to bed right then. 7:00pm! 13 hours later with a few nursing breaks, I finally felt human enough to get up.
After giving birth and this whole ordeal, I am ready to be done with pain for awhile. At one point I think I even muttered the words "This is as bad as end stage labor", something I never thought I would have to say! So now if you see me coming and going you'll know why I have a blue wrapping around my Big Toe!! This was taken this morning and is actually a huge improvement from yesterday!

10 comments:

Rachel said...

holy cow, ouch...I'm so sorry! I had an infected toenail a few years ago that they had to cut out and it hurt so so bad and I know that mine didn't look as bad as yours. It hurts just to look at your toe, get better!

The Eccles said...

OUCH! I can almost feel your pain, I had to watch Ty go through that whole ordeal twice. I am so sorry you had to go through that right after a baby...NOT FAIR! Good thing your a tough cookie :)

The Seaquist Family said...

Oh, that makes my foot hurt and my shoulders scrunch all up. I can't believe you have something this fun to deal with right after having a baby. So glad Jared was around. Aren't you the brave one. Way too many shots! You are buff! Hope it heals quickly and never gives you more trouble.

FrankNApril said...

Geneva,
This is really umm SICK!!! I am so SAD for you! Oh, yuck! You must be so done already! I am so sorry for all that pain. Your toe looks really BAD! Again, I am sorry you had so much pain! I think I would of past out. April

Kim said...

Yuck! Take it easy and kiss that new baby lots for us!

Lisa said...

Geneva- that is awful. I'd have asked for an epidural just so I won't have to feel them scraping and shooting me in the toe! Yikes. I'm so sad it was such an ordeal. Hang in there!!

sara said...

ewwwwww!!!!! GROSS!!!!!!

Jennifer B said...

Wow, what a painful story. Hope that everything is feeling much better now!!

The Eccles said...

That is the coolest toe in the world!!!!! I almost wish my wife had one just like it.

Tyler

jenorme said...

Geneva!! My goodness, girl, that looks so painful. I am so sorry. What an ordeal to go through especially with a nursing baby who keeps you up already. Yikes!