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.

Thank you for all the positive stories just what I needed.

If you read her posts, she does know part of her finger has been amputated, she just doesn’t know exactly how much.

Because to me it looks more than the tip. Hmm what about my posts have been hysterical?

Well you’re a nice person.

OP, I hope things work out well for you. You have put me off owning a cat though 🤦‍♀️.

Last week I had a manicure from a guy missing a finger and didn't notice! DD pointed it out as she was impressed with the French tips and nail art she got from him.

Would you say that to someone who'd just been through an amputation in real life? So rude.

Even 'just' part of a finger, that's still part of your body. It's absolutely fine and normal to be upset and worried about adapting.

Well aren’t you a peach?

Did you really need to say that, to a total stranger who is clearly worried and stressed about a fairly major event in her life? Find your empathy.

Shame on you to show such unkindness to someone reaching out for support.

Why are you being so rude?

I don't see anywhere that the OP has been hysterical.

So sorry OP this sounds both super stressful and painful. I don't have any experience but I would say focus on your recovery take very good care of yourself and definitely take the painkillers they give you while it heals. If over the weeks you find the painkillers aren't effective enough ask for different ones as the doctors must make sure you have the best ones for this sort of thing.

Severe infection to the point of risk of death from a cat bite is not unusual.

I've known a few people that have lost various parts of their finger and the majority you'd not notice at all unless you were really staring at their hands (or in the case of the older Farming folk, using it for japes to shock smaller family members!).
I've been staring at my own hands and with you saying it looks a little lower than your little finger, my hands that could be to the first joint/bendy bit of my finger below the nail which is a little lower than my own little fingers, could it maybe just be to that joint rather than than lower down?

Digit amputation is very common, once infections get into bone its incredibly hard to treat and can result in further infections, and losing a hand or arm.

My family member lost their middle finger from the top knuckle, after they was warned they could lose the whole finger or hand if they continued to try and fight the infection, it healed within a few weeks and despite the odd phantom pain or feeling its now a funny story.
Due to the infection eating all the tendons etc, the finger would have been useless from where they amputated, so it was an easier choice.
Only things they had to change was typing and gaming, but its been a year now and they are totally adapted.

They can't amputate without getting consent

Did you consent to amputation? If not, they won’t have done it.

I know several people with missing fingers, they have generally adapted fine and it’s one of the last things people tend to notice.

Sending many best wishes for your recovery. Start concocting an exciting back story - frostbite while fighting polar bears; plugging a dyke to stop the Netherlands flooding; lightening strike while emulating John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever…

As long as it’s not the thumb you’ll be fine.
know a few people various reasons lost a finger is two or tips, not fun but in the long run you’ll be fine x

Oh, my family member had it done under local, they numbed it all from nerve in the elbow if I remember.

The consent form would have covered anything the surgeon felt was necessary once he had evaluated the situation.

OP this is just awful, no wonder you are feeling stunned.

You asked how this would affect you day to day and while I can't answer that specifically I hope I can offer a little reassurance.

My late grandfather lost the tip of 3 of his fingers down to almost the second knuckle when they got caught up in and amputated by a piece of machinery. He was a baker and after he'd recovered continued to work as a baker for nearly 40 more years. Day to day it didn't really seem to affect him too much but he was quite an optimistic person, so that may have helped.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

I am sorry that anyone has suggested you're over reacting OP. Looking at your photo, I would be surprised too that it had just been described as "tip" (rather than "at first knuckle" or something). BUT I do think you'll actually be glad of it, when it finally means an end to this ordeal! 💐

Just to say that most if not all the examples given so far about finger amputations (including my own) have been about men losing a finger.

I would tentatively argue that it is a bit more socially difficult for a woman. Beauty standards etc.

Not to discourage you, OP but just to acknowledge what you are going through.

Yeah they can. The consent form clears the surgeon to do whatever is necessary once they assess what’s going on - this was explained to my DH in similar circumstances. They informed him beforehand that amputation may be necessary depending on what they found when they opened up the infected finger.

I once met someone who was very famous in their field, and it wasn't until we shook hands that I realised that they were missing a finger or maybe 2. They immediately concealed their hand again and looking at photos of them, their hand is never visible so I guess it's a bit of a secret.

But this person is a creative in an art/fashion related field and is world-renowned for making things!

Again - the world famous jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt lost the use of some of his fingers through injury. He taught himself how to adapt his playing and was able to carry on as a musician.

So, OP, in respect of what you'll be able to do in the future - have faith, it will be ok!

This is true. An elderly lady i cared for had a cat bite her forearm. She wrapped in a bandage. A couple of days later I had a look and it was a real mess. She was pale and shaking. I rang the doctor and the doctor immediately rang 999 for an ambulance.
Thats when I learned that a cat bite can be very serious indeed x