Finger amputation need a hand hold.

[jmh740]

My cat bit me in August when I was trying to medicate her. Ive been on antibiotics since 28.8 but it was still badly infected. On Tuesday they told me the bone was infected and the surgeon wouldnt know how much unti he opened it up. I went into surgery for it to be cleaned out (for the 4th time) on Thursday. They hand is well bandaged and it looks like they have amputated between the first and second knuckle.
It was a real sock and I'm struggling to cope with the pain. Does anyone know what the future looks like for me?

How long will it take to heal?
What will I still be able to do?
What wont I be able to do?
Any tips and hints to aid recovery?

Im having the dressing changed tomorrow and a bit nervous to see it.

They wanted to do that under local anaesthetic? That is shocking. I hope they have supplied sufficient painkillers.

A ga would be totally ott for what is a minor procedure (not to the op I mean the logistics of the surgery)

The problem isn't that it was under local it is that the inconsiderate, thoughtless Dr didn't come and see her afterwards and say I'm sorry I've had to remove more than hoped amd shown her exactly what they'd done.

To be discharged with a bulky dressing and wondering just how much was removed is appalling.

I gathered that. It was under general but op was offered local.

The OP’s discharge notes, man. The sloppy the attention to detail of some medics never ceases to amaze me. And they’re always shocked when you challenge them, too, as though the expectation is you’ll just tolerate it.

Absolutely abysmal.

Struggling today, spent the day in bed crying.
Full of Mum guilt that cant take ds out for half term.
In so much pain.

Ah @jmh740you poor thing. What pain killers have they given you?

Ok, so the pain needs to be dealt with. Make a fuss! Make your husband make a fuss too! There is absolutely no reason you shouldn’t have effective pain relief.

I’m really sorry to see this thread op.

What painkillers is the GP giving you?

OP. Can you call 111 and get an out of hours appointment for better pain relief. You shouldn’t be suffering like this.

Sorry to hear you are in pain OP. What have you taken? Have you tried keeping your arm elevated, either fashioning a pillow case as a sling and hanging it from something high so your hand is facing up or propped up on pillows?

OP if you are in significant pain now please get medical advice. If you’re type 2 diabetic they need to be monitoring your blood sugar as it’s directly linked to infection. I speak from experience with my DH. Is there significant swelling ? Does the dressing feel tighter than it did - if so at least ring 111 for advice.

Im taking codeine and naproxen

Can you not phone gp or urgent care and get something stronger?

I think youve possibly been a bit naive in thinking any risk of amputation was small when you've had multiple surgical debridements and multiple courses IV antibiotics- what did you think would be left for them to clean out, especially if the bone was dead? Also surely would've been better to have a local and then you can discuss with doctor at the time? You also told the doctor to do what was necessary for your recovery so they did and you would've signed consent forms.
Not sure why any of it came as a shock really although horrible youre in such pain.

Which is a good starting point for pain management. If you’re crying with the pain though, you need to speak up and say it’s not keeping you comfortable. You’re still processing a horrible situation and will be feeling all sorts physically and mentally. No two people are the same. As hard as it is, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Please contact you GP surgery or 111 (111 are often better). You need the pain to be controlled, in order to fully recover. You also need to ensure it’s healing as it should be 💐

I think I'm crying through a combination of things not just pain.
Im still in shock all this has happened, I am in pain but the meds are helping.
I had an interview last week from a job I really wanted, found out yesterday I didnt get it. Its where I already work and I've done the role before and was really good at it, but have a new line manager who wasnt my line manager when I did the role previously, I was on a 12 month secondment with a view to it being made permanent but it wasnt due to funding. I went back to my old role in September but have actually only worked 8 days since then due to the injury.
Big Mum guilt that DS is on half term and I've only been out of bed to go to the hospital(and a quick aldi visit on way back from hospital)

This all started on 24th August, first time amputation was seriously mentioned was Tuesday then it was done Thursday. I was told this was highly unlikely when ever I asked about it, ive been on the same antibiotics since 24th August I just thought that would continue until I was better. Ive had a couple of x rays which didnt show anything alarming until Tues when I was told the bone was dead, I asked 3 members of staff on Tuesday if I needed amputation, all of them said it was up to the surgeon, who I first met on Thursday morning, and it would depend on how much bone was damaged. I wanted a GA as it has been cleaned out under LA 3 times and I thought they would be more through if I was totally out. Yes I gave consent but I still thought it was unlikely.

I already realised you’re crying from the combination of your current shituation. Being vulnerable and emotional often makes you feel physically pain more. Your DS will be fine. If you were doing more, you’d suffer more and that certainly wouldn’t help either of you. Please reach out to your GP practice and say you’re struggling. Also, perhaps do a bit of reading around and see what others who’ve experienced this have found helpful. Most of all, be kind to yourself. You’ll get there, but it’s still early days. I’m sending you the biggest hug 🥰

You’re still in shock, be kind to yourself. Plus it takes a while to get over the GA, it’s always been about a week after a op for me when the ‘blues’ kick in. You’re also dealing with a massive change in abilities, although in future, it will seem minor for now, it’s huge. Don’t feel guilty. Hugs

You don't need to defend yourself - many of us would have felt the same way (especially with no one explaining it afterwards)! This is a big deal, and you have to come first for a little while. As long as your child is safe, fed etc., they will just have to have a boring half term on this occasion. The main thing is that they have you (and they might not have done if the doctors hadn't removed your finger). That's really all that matters. You're going to be ok x

Well that's supportive. Let's hope you're not in a health care role.

Well how can you be in shock when told the bone is dead and then tell the doctor you want a general but trust his judement to do whats best.

Dear @jmh740 , I've been following your story (missing out some bits because I'm very squeamish), and I'm so sorry you've had all this to go through. If you need to cry then do, don't hold back. You've had such a traumatic event, you're in shock now, so be as kind as you can to yourself. 💐

I'm so sorry that you're experiencing this constellation of not nice things. It sounds like the job offer was tainted by the cat bitten finger rather than your inability to perform it well. I wouldn't advise doing anything about that just now while you're so emotional, but when you do get back into school, I would have a word with whoever might have been making that decision with the new line manager. I'd explain how the probationary period wasn't reflective of what your actual performance in the role would be like because of the finger. If you've been at the school for some time, I'm sure a sympathetic person would agree to give you another change at a probationary trial in the role (unless of course they've already appointed someone else). I feel so bad for you and do hope that you can not only recover your health, but your sense of self worth. I'm sure your DC wouldn't want you doing things with them while you're in so much pain. And why don't you just do an online food shop rather than traipsing around them while you're like this?

Because there’s a huge difference between ‘knowing’ something was possible as a last resort and it actually happening. Think about how shocked people are to find themselves pregnant- yet we all know it’s possible!
Not everyone will understand the implications of the bone being dead, especially when they are in pain and on antibiotics. To go from ‘being cleaned out, possibility of removing the tip if necessary’ to losing half a finger is huge. It’s not just the first joint or the tip, it’s at the second joint.
You were unreasonable to be surprised at her shock.

Bloody hell, some people on this thread have had an empathy bypass. Sorry you’re feeling so low and in pain, @jmh740. Sending sympathy and a hug.