My finger was doing so well. It looked totally healed a few days ago. A few times I bumped it and held my breath waiting for the pain and it didn’t even hurt. Friday evening it started feeling different. I kinda expected I would lose that nail and I figured it was starting to “let go” and that’s why it was feeling bad. Saturday it was red and swollen. Sunday it didn’t look any better and, sorry to be gross, but it was starting to have some draining. This morning I went to the walk in clinic and yep, it is not good. Back on the same antibiotics I started out with but taking them 4 times per day instead of 2 and I have to go back Friday for the nurse practitioner to look at it. I said “What happens if it isn’t better?” She said “Let’s just hope it is much better.” So . . please, let’s all hope it is better.
And, there were a bunch of tiny little blisters on my left arm that had appeared overnight. I thought maybe a bug had stung me. Nope, doctor suspects it’s cellulitis from the infection in the right hand. Sounds weird to me but the antibiotic should clear it all up.
She would rather I not wear a glove because of the humid, warm environment on the finger, so that means no pickling, no washing dishes, nothing in the garden – probably nothing but cross stitching. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it!
As much as I love cross stitching, this is the time of year that if I’m not working in the garden, all the work I’ve done so far could just be for nothing but . . healing is more important. I’m thankful for the hobbies that I am able to do.
Sharon says
I’m so sorry. If I was closer, I’d help you with the garden. I hope Vince can help as much as possible.
Teri says
What a bummer 🙁 Prayers for you.
Sherry Bobak says
Praying for a quick, complete recovery. Take care of yourself.
Beth Andrews says
Last year, I got cellulitis in both forearms after our son’s dog jumped up at me and scratched me. Very nasty infection to get rid of, so follow the doctor’s orders to a T!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thanks for the reminder. I will do it.
RuthW in MD says
Perhaps soaking in warm Epsom salt water would help? Good Luck!
Nancy H says
I agree with Ruth. That is what I would always do when my cat would get to rambunctious in her playing and w]eith bite or scratch and break the skin. It would help with the draining.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Yes, that’s one thing the doctor recommended and I have the bowl and Epsom salt all ready to do after I have my shower tonight. Thank you!
Helen Glover says
What happened to your finger or hand? I can’t find a post about it. I do hope it gets better soon. That garden won’t wait will it. prayers for you! Helen
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I cut it back towards the end of May, got 6 stitches. It was completely healed and looked great but then as the nail grew out, there was a “whole” where the nail had been cut before it was visible and by the time I noticed there was a “hole” right at the edge of the cuticle that was acting like a funnel for water/bacteria to get to the open area, I had a new infection. The doctor felt like the cellulitis (today) is also a result from the finger wound but I’m feeling like it’s because of a scratch by Oscar on Saturday. In any event . . cellulitis is cellulitis and hopefully the antibiotics will clear it up. Thank you for the prayers.
justquiltin says
Oh so sorry to hear this. Healing prayers sent your way. Now go sit in your chair and stitch. Healing is way more important.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
That’s what I intend to do. If the doctor’s advice wasn’t enough, now I have it from you! 🙂
Stephani in N. TX says
Healing by cross-stitch, what a “punishment.”
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Yes! It could be a whole lot worse, right?
Dottie Newkirk says
I just got over cellulitis – mine was on my left leg (swelling, rash and “blister” type things). A round of antibiotics and some steroids and everything is ok now. BUT, I’ll definitely keep an eye on any kind of sore from now on. Wishing you all the best.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I’m very lucky I suppose that I went to the doctor today because of the finger. The cellulitis symptoms just started yesterday evening. I almost didn’t even mention it because I thought it was a bug bite/sting. Thank you.
Rosalie says
Can you ask Chad or a neighbor to come and water and take home the ripe produce?
I know you want to be out there but you pushed it too far and now have a setback. Please follow the medical advice. It could get to the point that you have to have iv antibiotics – you probably won’t but a very serious infection sometimes necessitates such.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I did follow the medical advice. I kept my hand dry longer than I was told. When the nail started to grow out, there’s a gap where the nail was cut and that is what allowed bacteria to get into the wound that the doctor (nor myself) even knew existed.
Cynthia says
My son had a small pimple on his upper cheek near his eye that turned to cellulitis. He was on antibiotics for 2weeks. It’s no joke, do what the dr says. My brother in law got cellulitis on his lower leg and was in the hospital for almost a week
Candy says
I sometimes suffer bouts of hand eczema, and I wearing rubber gloves makes my hands sweat, which makes it worse. I’ve discovered that if I wear a pair of cotton gloves (the white ones from the beauty department) under the rubber gloves, my hands stay dry. I just make sure to wash the cotton gloves after each use. You might find this works if you feel you need to do something with rubber gloves on. Good luck! Candy
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thank you. I do have some white cotton gloves but so far, I’ve been able to mostly sit and cross stitch, eat out and not have to cook or do any canning. The timing with the garden isn’t great but I suppose there’s never a good time for an injury. You deal with it all the time so I’ll stop complaining about a 10 day to 2 week (maybe a bit more) time for healing.
Sheryl says
..You’ve gotten good advice about resting, etc. so I won’t do that. I’d just add to make sure you keep both hands really clean and dry through this process. I’ll be thinking about you.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thank you!