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BWdem4life

(2,378 posts)
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 07:34 PM Monday

Welp... guess I screwed up again

Shot my left index finger with a nail gun last Monday. Refused to go to ER. Didn’t have them examine it at a routine doctor visit either (2 days later) although they offered.

Thought it was finally getting better yesterday. Then last night the pain increased and the aspirin didn’t help. Kept me up all night. This morning it was noticeably redder.

So here I am at the ER, expecting maybe an antibiotic prescription. Instead they are gonna hook me up an IV and transport me by ambulance to the main hospital where they have hand specialists.

Sigh…

55 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Welp... guess I screwed up again (Original Post) BWdem4life Monday OP
Good you are in the right spot! BittyJenkins Monday #1
Vibes for swift recovery and healing. Blood poisoning? niyad Monday #2
Healing vibes on the way to you! SheltieLover Monday #3
Built a deck railing system this weekend. No nails, all screws, but still had 3 hand injuries requiring bandaids, OAITW r.2.0 Monday #4
Doin something wrong BWdem4life Monday #12
Big ouch. Maybe some wood got pushed into your hand. Think it could be be the infectious source, buried that deep in. OAITW r.2.0 Monday #17
Healing vibes. onecaliberal Monday #5
When was your last tetanus shot? MLF1981 Monday #6
They keep asking BWdem4life Monday #13
Some new Univ studies say tetanus shots last 30 yrs womanofthehills Monday #42
I have no words.................. actually there is a lot to say but i don't think you would appreciate Srkdqltr Monday #7
As an amateur carpenter and forestor over the past 50 years. OAITW r.2.0 Monday #19
That may be true, at least to some extent, of just about any hobby. soldierant Monday #22
I was downtown today and planned to vote....but Monday, the office is closed. Probably tomorrow, OAITW r.2.0 Monday #25
Ballotpedia is the best thing I know for local races, soldierant Monday #35
Ha, those ?000 steel hooks?! Never used 'em since I didn't do fine lace or ?filet crocheting... electric_blue68 Yesterday #48
Just beading - not even stringing them on needles soldierant 14 hrs ago #52
I know, im a sewer. If i cut myself deeply with my rotary cutter i go to the urgent care. When my son cut his finger Srkdqltr Monday #34
When I lived in MA, 8 years ago., I almost lost my thump nail throwing stuff out the basement egress, OAITW r.2.0 Monday #38
HA! progressoid Monday #37
40 years later, the middle finger is different, A lot larger and less flexible. But still usable. OAITW r.2.0 Monday #39
As I type, I have a couple minor wounds that are healing plus progressoid Monday #40
I am happy if you have an injury free day! OAITW r.2.0 Monday #41
Eeeeky stuff to me! Professional forester? Never heard of an amateur one, but i guess... electric_blue68 Yesterday #46
That's OK you're in the right place to get Care now. Hope you make a speedy and complete recovery. Walleye Monday #8
Wishing you a good recovery!!! Karadeniz Monday #9
Wow, when you had an opportunity to have it examined at a routine visit and passed on it. Fla Dem Monday #10
I've done things I really regret. Be nice. nt babylonsister Monday #11
Hang in there... Earthrise Monday #14
This only reinforces True Dough Monday #15
I no longer have a choice. multigraincracker Monday #16
jeez Skittles Monday #18
Goodness! I would have been so afraid of infection. I'm glad you're getting treatment and hope all goes well. LoisB Monday #20
Ouch MustLoveBeagles Monday #21
Is that you, dad? GoYouPackersGo Monday #23
My dad once ran his hand into the table saw-- Jack Valentino Monday #28
My dad survived the Korean War (USMC) and 26 years as a cop. GoYouPackersGo Monday #43
Glad you still have him with you.... Jack Valentino Yesterday #44
hope they give your finger a good cleaning and you have full function after healing cadoman Monday #24
Hope it's not tetanus. yourout Monday #26
maybe sepsis Skittles 23 hrs ago #49
Hedge trimmer got me one day. ER immediately. Klarkashton Monday #27
I thought you were going to say you marked your ballot wrong. forgotmylogin Monday #29
Construction professional chicago guy Monday #30
Prayers Joinfortmill Monday #31
Learning experience. cachukis Monday #32
Hope you feel better soon angrychair Monday #33
Healing energies coming your way, BW! slightlv Monday #36
Yikes. Here's to a full recovery! electric_blue68 Yesterday #45
Did you shoot yourself in your place or somebody else's? JoseBalow Yesterday #47
lol BWdem4life 12 hrs ago #53
hey! don't leave us hanging Skittles 23 hrs ago #50
hangin in there post-op BWdem4life 12 hrs ago #54
that is great to hear Skittles 12 hrs ago #55
Ugh! You are in the right place Tweedy 23 hrs ago #51

OAITW r.2.0

(28,087 posts)
4. Built a deck railing system this weekend. No nails, all screws, but still had 3 hand injuries requiring bandaids,
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 07:46 PM
Monday

Don't want to bloody up the deck railing. Never put a nail thru my hand before. How did that happen? Missed a bone, right?

BWdem4life

(2,378 posts)
12. Doin something wrong
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 08:09 PM
Monday

It was a metal brad, way longer than needed for a picture frame. Didn’t go in straight, came out the side where i was holding the frame. Fairly shallow, not like I had to pull it out or anything. But right on inside of knuckle.

OAITW r.2.0

(28,087 posts)
17. Big ouch. Maybe some wood got pushed into your hand. Think it could be be the infectious source, buried that deep in.
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 08:39 PM
Monday

Anti-biotics, for sure. Next time, keep your hand out of the nail line of travel.

MLF1981

(209 posts)
6. When was your last tetanus shot?
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 07:47 PM
Monday

People think that only applies to rusty metal, but I assure you it does not. In any case, best wishes for a speedy recovery.

womanofthehills

(9,175 posts)
42. Some new Univ studies say tetanus shots last 30 yrs
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 11:18 PM
Monday

Although our CDC says every 10 yrs, some Univ studies now say tetanus shots can be good for 30 yrs.

“Adults do not need tetanus or diphtheria booster shots if they’ve already completed their childhood vaccination series against these rare, but debilitating diseases, according to research published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

The conclusion aligns with the World Health Organization’s recent recommendations to only routinely give adults tetanus and diphtheria vaccines if they didn’t receive a full series of shots as children. In the U.S., the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices still recommends all adults receive booster shots every 10 years.”

(Tetanus is extremely rare now - According to WHO records in 2018 and 2019 there were no tetanus cases in US. Last few yrs average about 20 cases a yr according to WHO. )




https://news.ohsu.edu/2020/02/25/adults-dont-need-tetanus-diphtheria-boosters-if-fully-vaccinated-as-children-study-finds

Srkdqltr

(7,527 posts)
7. I have no words.................. actually there is a lot to say but i don't think you would appreciate
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 07:49 PM
Monday

Last guy i knew who did that lost most of the finger. He was stubborn too.

OAITW r.2.0

(28,087 posts)
19. As an amateur carpenter and forestor over the past 50 years.
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 08:52 PM
Monday

You're going to experience injuries. Shit happens. My worst injury was driving the top of my middle finger over a table saw blade. No, it wasn't running, I was breaking the nut on the saw blade when the wrench slipped.


A bunch of stitches, then off to Stephen King's house in Bangor, Me. for a social of folks who were caucusing for Gary Hart. That was a hoot. Had to hold my bandaged middle finger up all night, Steve got a chuckle out of that.

2nd worst was with a chainsaw Kinda bounced it off my knee cap. A little bloody, but no serious damage.

soldierant

(7,773 posts)
22. That may be true, at least to some extent, of just about any hobby.
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 09:18 PM
Monday

Knitting and crocheting have been kind to me, probably because I mostly use big needles and hooks (is the little one that puncture). Jewlry making less so, tough I've still been fairly lucky.

But even reading can give you paper cuts.


(P.S. I hope you've already voted.)

OAITW r.2.0

(28,087 posts)
25. I was downtown today and planned to vote....but Monday, the office is closed. Probably tomorrow,
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 09:34 PM
Monday

I will vote and it will be all D. Except, for local elections, they never state party affiliation. I need to know that. Is there a site where I can find who the Democrats are in my local elections?

soldierant

(7,773 posts)
35. Ballotpedia is the best thing I know for local races,
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 10:20 PM
Monday

short of going to the local partiy's offices and asking for advice. They don't sak for party affiliation, but sometimes a candidate will mention it, and sometimes a candidate will say something which makes it clear which side they are on.

If any of this is any help to you, I'll be very glad i put the PS in my reply to you that I meant for the OP.

electric_blue68

(17,433 posts)
48. Ha, those ?000 steel hooks?! Never used 'em since I didn't do fine lace or ?filet crocheting...
Tue Oct 29, 2024, 03:22 AM
Yesterday

A ? Crochet D3 was my smallest.

Oooo, what kind of jewelry making do you do? Metal smithing?

soldierant

(7,773 posts)
52. Just beading - not even stringing them on needles
Tue Oct 29, 2024, 11:46 PM
14 hrs ago

- mostly earrings and pendants and other kinds of drops - but if you do it long enough you may find yourself needing to ream out some of th pre-drilled holes to get them to fit where you want them to - especially if you also crochet and/or knit and having see needles and even some hooks with bead toppers want all of your to have those too.

I do occasionally use the steel hooks for doll clothes - I prefer knitting but the really cool patterns are for crochet - the historical ones with the hoge sleeves and the hats that reach out past the shoulders and even earlier designs (also newer if they're special - ;as I look one could get a pattern for Princess Di's wedding dress,) Even then I need a hook 2 sizes bigger than recommended if I want them to fit.

(I have knitted and dressed a Kamala Harris doll and a Nancy Pelosi doll, though. The latter has the Max Mara coat and sunglasses LOL)

Srkdqltr

(7,527 posts)
34. I know, im a sewer. If i cut myself deeply with my rotary cutter i go to the urgent care. When my son cut his finger
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 10:17 PM
Monday

Open working on the car he went to the er for cleaning and stitches. Nails are dirty, infection can happen if you pass up treatment. The poster went to a doctor but didn't let him look at it. It's not like he didn't have time.
My husband cut his leg with a weed wacker , not a large cut, a few days later his leg was red and he was in the hospital 2weeks for infection.
I know how you men are and some women. Injuries happen. Treatment should be done. That was my point.

OAITW r.2.0

(28,087 posts)
38. When I lived in MA, 8 years ago., I almost lost my thump nail throwing stuff out the basement egress,
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 10:34 PM
Monday

Went to urgent care, cost $125.00 for the visit, problem dealt with and solved. That should be your 1st location to go to. If they can't handle, they will express you into the hospital.

OAITW r.2.0

(28,087 posts)
39. 40 years later, the middle finger is different, A lot larger and less flexible. But still usable.
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 10:49 PM
Monday

So it goes....

progressoid

(50,651 posts)
40. As I type, I have a couple minor wounds that are healing plus
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 11:03 PM
Monday

my left index finger is still a little numb from a utility knife incident from last year. The scar is bigger than the emergency room doc said it would be but I can't complain. Everything still works.

I have Essential Tremor so a few scars here and there is no big deal. I'm just happy when I get through the day without a needing a bandage.

electric_blue68

(17,433 posts)
46. Eeeeky stuff to me! Professional forester? Never heard of an amateur one, but i guess...
Tue Oct 29, 2024, 03:15 AM
Yesterday

it's possible.

Either way thanks for keeping an aye out for our forest ecosystems. 👍

Fla Dem

(25,549 posts)
10. Wow, when you had an opportunity to have it examined at a routine visit and passed on it.
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 08:04 PM
Monday

Hope it's not a decision you'll greatly regret. All the best to you.

Earthrise

(15,642 posts)
14. Hang in there...
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 08:10 PM
Monday

Hopefully if it’s intense over the next day or two everything will resolve for the better.

True Dough

(19,899 posts)
15. This only reinforces
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 08:26 PM
Monday

that Simon and Garfunkel had it right. Rather be a hammer than a nail!




Get well soon, BWdem4life!

multigraincracker

(33,882 posts)
16. I no longer have a choice.
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 08:34 PM
Monday

My wife the RN drags me to the ER all the time. Saved my life more than once.
Hope it gets better quickly for you.

Skittles

(157,978 posts)
18. jeez
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 08:43 PM
Monday

I truly understand trying to avoid the ER but sometimes - you just need to GO........hope you will be OK.

LoisB

(8,473 posts)
20. Goodness! I would have been so afraid of infection. I'm glad you're getting treatment and hope all goes well.
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 09:07 PM
Monday

Jack Valentino

(947 posts)
28. My dad once ran his hand into the table saw--
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 09:49 PM
Monday

and then drove himself to the hospital.

Another time he nearly killed himself with carbon monoxide poisoning inside the garage while doing auto repairs. Luckily he managed to drag himself outside and into the house before he passed out. He was treated at the hospital.


He lived to be 91 years old, by the grace of the gods! LOL

GoYouPackersGo

(80 posts)
43. My dad survived the Korean War (USMC) and 26 years as a cop.
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 11:48 PM
Monday

He's basically indestructible...or so he thinks, even as a very old man.

Jack Valentino

(947 posts)
44. Glad you still have him with you....
Tue Oct 29, 2024, 12:40 AM
Yesterday

I still miss mine... especially when working on my garden.
That's one of the things we did together in his last years---
as we did when I was a child. (He came from 'farm stock',
before he became a city man but did his planting in our city back yard)

I took the "chive patch" from my childhood home when he died,
and transplanted it into the garden at my new home.
It's been growing continuously for nearly 60 years...

cadoman

(842 posts)
24. hope they give your finger a good cleaning and you have full function after healing
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 09:32 PM
Monday

Thank you for your work and the risks you take in helping to create homes for us.

forgotmylogin

(7,668 posts)
29. I thought you were going to say you marked your ballot wrong.
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 09:50 PM
Monday
Shot my left index finger with a nail gun last Monday. Refused to go to ER. Didn’t have them examine it at a routine doctor visit either (2 days later) although they offered.


OMFG. Glad you're okay.

I understand the reluctance to run up a hospital bill. I gashed my forehead open on a trash can several months ago and ended up paying about $900 out of pocket for the ER, but my cousin who is an RN came to my rescue and was like "oh no, I'm driving you to the emergency room once I clean you up..."

Did the nail gun not hit bone? At minimum you need to update your tetanus shot if it's not recent.

All the best vibes for recovery!

chicago guy

(24 posts)
30. Construction professional
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 09:50 PM
Monday

Started in the trades in the late 80’s and believed that I was indestructible. All those little mishaps add up! 2 new knees, and a stiff neck now for every! Good luck guy as we age the parts age also

slightlv

(4,196 posts)
36. Healing energies coming your way, BW!
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 10:21 PM
Monday

You sound just like me, tho... wait until the very last minute to get it checked out, and then stand in amazement at everything that needs to be done! The only time I didn't do that was when I knew my leg was broken. THAT one took me to the ER immediately. Other than that, I avoid hospitals like the plague! Good luck to you and your hand. You nailgunned yours... my hubby once cut off the entire end of this thumb!

electric_blue68

(17,433 posts)
45. Yikes. Here's to a full recovery!
Tue Oct 29, 2024, 03:09 AM
Yesterday

Used (a little different but) a Staple gun for stretching canvas on a frame for painting in Art College. Luckily no accidents bc that's would have sure hurt, too!

Tweedy

(1,035 posts)
51. Ugh! You are in the right place
Tue Oct 29, 2024, 02:30 PM
23 hrs ago

To get on the road to recovery. Here is hoping you heal quickly with no permanent injury

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