On my design wall are a some of the components of the blocks that I’m testing for the February QOV pattern.
The bandage on my bum finger isn’t preventing me from doing anything except cleaning house and washing dishes but it surely does slow me down. I’m going to suffer through it today but tomorrow, I’m calling the doctor’s office and giving them some kind of sob story in hopes of getting a smaller bandage. If they say no, I have a plan that involves removing this one myself and putting it back on before I go back on the 13th and pretending it’s been on all the time! 🙂
OK . . so now you know I’m a terrible patient . . what’s on your design wall?
Leslie says
Hi Judy! Nurse here….
Please do not take off your bandage!
Sounds like you had something on a tendon or ligament in your finger and they had to stabilize your finger for it to heal.
If you take off the bandage and splint underneath, you will risk further injury (after surgery) and risk of loss of the function of your finger, not to mention your hand, and your RIGHT hand. Please find a way to be patient, it is just another few days!
Go on a bit of a trip away, that will give you something to look forward too!
Please be careful, and patient!
Take care, Leslie
Barbara says
Gosh, I wouldn’t even bother putting the bandage back on. Heck, I’ve been known to remove my own stitches when they started driving me crazy. I figure I’m a grown-up. I can make decisions about my own body. That said, Leslie has given you good advice. Mine is lacking in good judgment. You decide.
SharO says
What are a few days the the whole scheme of things? The bandage is there for a reason. We do not want you to have a prolonged problem with that finger.
Cindy Bartz says
Leslie is right, I know patience is not my best virtue, I got a new machine the night before I had surgery, the 10 day wait was HORRIBLE, but I did make it, Now I have no restrictions except time…..Please wait it out, I know how hard it is….
Angie says
Leslie is right, and I wouldn’t take that bandage off if I were you. Hand and finger surgery in particular is very delicate surgery and nothing to fool around with when it involves the small tendons and muscles that control movement of the fingers. You better behave yourself or I’m calling Vince!
Mary C in WA says
Find another quilt to finish on the Longarm since that doesn’t take removal of the bandage. How many are just waiting to be quilted on your list? I can send you some of mine if you ‘re really bored…
Linda Steller says
Ms. Evil here – I agree with removing the bandage, as long as you replace it with something a bit more sleek that will still stabilize and protect your finger. That is rather old-fashioned as bandages go these days. If you need to protect the incision, there is a product called Tegaderm, which is a fake-skin-like bandage that still breathes but keeps water out of your wound. That with a small bit of padding around your wound site and a splint to keep you from bending it and splitting it open would surely suffice. As you can tell, Judy, I am also a horrible patient. That is why I have nursed myself through several surgeries. I don’t allow anyone to be here after I’ve gotten home from the hospital. The family can bring me things if I can’t drive, but I prefer to do my own thing once I get home.
lw says
I kind of agree with Linda, if you can find a sleeker bandage that does this– but remember, you need to keep the finger stable, and dry.
Mel Meister says
Don’t do something out of impatience that you might live to regret. If it was Chad with the bandaged finger, what would you tell him if he was going to take it off?
Lynn parrish says
I had carpal tunel surgery last year on my right hand and then six weeks later on my left. I kept the splint and bandages on my right hand the whole time except that I took them off for an hour or so a couple of times just to let my skin breath because they were driving me so crazy. I just didn’t have any patience left when it came to the left hand. I removed the splint and bandages after a couple of days, stuck a small bandage just over the wound and called it good. I have to admit that there is a much more noticeable scar on the left one and, while I have no nerve problems at all with my right hand, I do have some problems still with the left. I’m guessing the difference is because of my impatience with the splint and bandages. Just sayin’
Leah says
Hope you heal quickly…
Denise ~justquiltin says
My January UFO Challenge is on the design wall – just needs the binding stitched down and I then I can finally cross it off the list.
Brandy M. says
“Nurse Brandy” thinks you are a very very naughty patient!! “Quilter Brandy” might do the same thing you’re thinking of doing…
hahahahaha!!
Sara in AL says
I recently had a tumor removed from the ring finger of my right hand, right at the juncture of the finger and hand. I had a honkin’ big bandage that encompassed my whole hand with a splint on the whole thing to immobilize it. I begged to take it off early. I asked for just 20 minutes to let my hand breath. Just let me clean it up so it will stop smelling so bad. All to no avail, my DH was not moved. No sympathy, and this from a man who had his hand shattered in an auto accident. The short of this is, I made it through, you can too. Hang in there!
Sara in AL says
I need to add that there is a product out there, made by Band-Aide that is a plastic sleeve. It is designed to go above the elbow, fits tight, is big enough to cover a cast, and works perfectly for taking a shower and keeping your hand dry. It is pricy, $20 for 2 of them in a pack, but soooo worth it! I could shower and wash my hair with it.