tonnaree's recent unpleasantness.

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Posted by tonnaree
September 28, 2017 11:42 pm
#1

So, here's what's been going on with me.

The first week of August the big toe on my right foot was a little sore.  It felt like I had stubbed it or something.  Like an idiot I figured it would go away.
That weekend me, my husband and daughter went on a short camping trip in a national park just a couple of towns over from where I live.  Toe was still a bit sore but I didn't want to spoil everyone's weekend.
Saturday morning toe was swollen and hurting more.  Tried elevating my feet and soaking the foot in cold water.
Sunday morning my toe was swollen to twice it's size and the pain was horrendous.  I had my daughter drive me into town to urgent care.
Urgent care doctor couldn't decide if it was gout or an infection.  He sent me home with antibiotics and pain killers and told me to follow up with my doctor by the end of the week.
Next day the pain was unbearable.  Went to a specialist/podiatrist and the minute she saw me she said "you're going to the hospital."

Turns out I had a raging infection.  A normal white blood cell count is around 10, when they admitted me, mine was 20.  If I had not gone to that specialist when I did it's likely I would've died.

Sadly, the toe was in such bad shape that they had to amputate.  They kept me on a constant flow of IV antibiotics.
I was in the hospital for a week and had two surgeries on my foot.  Because of the level of infection it had to be treated very aggressively.  They let me go home but put a picc line in my arm and I still had to be on IV antibiotics 3 times a day until September 22.  A home nurse came and taught my husband how to give me the treatments.
Of course I also had to stay off my foot as much as possible so with that and the drugs I have been out of work all this time too.

Now, the good news.  We got the infection cleared up and my foot has healed very well.  Finished the drug treatments last week and I am walking and practicing driving.  My mobility is good.  Much better than I expected it to be so soon.  I plan to go back to work this coming Monday.  Hubby has been my rock.  He has taken such great care of me, physically and mentally.  So grateful for him.

Now, losing a toe is not a great thing and I think I learned not to ignore pain no matter how small it seems.  However it could've been so much worse.  I could've lost a foot, a leg, my life.  I am grateful for friends and family that supported me and kept my spirits up.  I am grateful for good health insurance and a job that gave me the time I needed to recover.  Mostly, I'm just damn happy to be here.    

Side Notes:

It seems silly to say I lost a toe.  I didn't lose it.  I know exactly where it went.

Yes, before you ask, I can still sometimes feel the toe and it does sometimes hurt.  A friend says that means my foot is haunted by a PolTOEgeist.  LOL

Once you get over the worst of it, recovery is long and boring.

Totally first world problem but I was heartbroken to have to miss my DragonCon this year!!!!!!

If anyone is curious enough to want to see my new foot, I have pictures.  It actually doesn't look that bad now that it is healed.   
 


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Proud President and Founder of the OSAJ.  
Honorary German  
"Anyone who takes himself too seriously always runs the risk of looking ridiculous; anyone who can consistently laugh at himself does not".
 -Vaclav Havel 
"Life is full of wonder, Love is never wrong."   Melissa Ethridge

I ship it harder than Mrs. Hudson.
    
 
 
Posted by Liberty
September 29, 2017 7:34 am
#2

Oh my goodness, Tonnaree!  I started reading and didn't expect the story to get so bad.  I'm so, so glad you got sent to the hospital and that you're still with us!  I have heard of people dying from this kind of thing.  And I'm also glad that you have support (your husband sounds wonderful!), are recovering and getting back to work.   I hope you're recovering emotionally too. It must have been a huge shock.  And losing part of yourself as well. *hugs*

Best of luck with the rest of your recovery .

 

 
Posted by Vhanja
September 29, 2017 8:07 am
#3

Wow, that sounds like a crazy ride. Do they have any idea where the infection came from? You didn't have any wounds where the bacteria could have entered? Just curious as I went through something similar, only the infection was aimed at my heart (endorcarditis).

Glad you got help so quickly and that recovery went really well! How is it to walk without a big toe? I imagine that was important for balance? 


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"We'll live on starlight and crime scenes" - wordstrings


Team Hudders!
 
 
Posted by SusiGo
September 29, 2017 10:33 am
#4

I am so very, very glad to have you back, dear. I hope the healing will go on well. You are a very brave woman and hats off to your amazing hubby. 


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"To fake the death of one sibling may be regarded as a misfortune; to fake the death of both looks like carelessness." Oscar Wilde about Mycroft Holmes

"It is what it is says love." (Erich Fried)

“Enjoy the journey of life and not just the endgame. I’m also a great believer in treating others as you would like to be treated.” (Benedict Cumberbatch)



 
 
Posted by Yitzock
September 29, 2017 1:53 pm
#5

That sounds like it would have been a scary and stressful time for a while. I'm glad to know that you have been able to get through this pretty well. I didn't know infection like that could happen or that they could be life-threatening, just goes to show how little I know about medicine.

Also your friend's pun put a smile on my face.



Clueing for looks.
 
Posted by tonnaree
September 29, 2017 2:10 pm
#6

Not sure where the infection came from.  I am diabetic and even though my blood sugar stays mostly under control anything can be dangerous.  I didn't have any open wounds on my toe, but it could'be been even a tiny thing.    It's very scary how fast it went from "my toe hurts" to "your toe has to come off."

Glad to be back.  Missed you guys.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Proud President and Founder of the OSAJ.  
Honorary German  
"Anyone who takes himself too seriously always runs the risk of looking ridiculous; anyone who can consistently laugh at himself does not".
 -Vaclav Havel 
"Life is full of wonder, Love is never wrong."   Melissa Ethridge

I ship it harder than Mrs. Hudson.
    
 
 
Posted by besleybean
September 29, 2017 5:22 pm
#7

One of my former colleagues had issues very similar to yours tonnaree, all starting with a simple 'sore toe'.
I am happy to report she made a full recovery.
All the best to you.
 


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http://professorfangirl.tumblr.com/post/105838327464/heres-an-outtake-of-mark-gatiss-on-the
 
Posted by Russell
October 1, 2017 2:19 am
#8

Gahh.... that's horrible!   I've, uh, lost the nail on a big toe before, from hitting it badly?  With just having to stay off it a bit, I can't even imagine multiplying that by many degrees to what happened to you.  Glad you managed to fight it off and have your hubby to help!  Good luck recovering!


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We solve crimes, I blog about it, and he forgets his pants.  I wouldn't hold out too much hope!

Just this morning you were all tiny and small and made of clay!

I'm working my way up the greasy pole.  It's… very greasy.  And…  pole-shaped.
 
Posted by besleybean
October 1, 2017 7:54 am
#9

I actually forgot to mention: my sister has one very stunted big toe.
This was because a paving slab was dropped on it, when she was 2.
My parents say by my then 4 year old brother, Mum would have been pregnant with me.
I still call lack of supervision by my parents!


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http://professorfangirl.tumblr.com/post/105838327464/heres-an-outtake-of-mark-gatiss-on-the
 
Posted by tonnaree
October 2, 2017 5:15 pm
#10

besleybean wrote:

I actually forgot to mention: my sister has one very stunted big toe.
This was because a paving slab was dropped on it, when she was 2.
My parents say by my then 4 year old brother, Mum would have been pregnant with me.
I still call lack of supervision by my parents!

 Oh no!!!   

1st day back at work today.  Hubby drove me because I was a bit anxious.  No real trouble walking but damn am I tired.  It's right after lunch here and I could fall asleep right on my desk.  I know it will take time to get my stamina back.  Until then, early bedtime for tonnaree tonight!!


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Proud President and Founder of the OSAJ.  
Honorary German  
"Anyone who takes himself too seriously always runs the risk of looking ridiculous; anyone who can consistently laugh at himself does not".
 -Vaclav Havel 
"Life is full of wonder, Love is never wrong."   Melissa Ethridge

I ship it harder than Mrs. Hudson.
    
 
 
Posted by Yitzock
October 2, 2017 5:18 pm
#11

Good to know you are starting to get back to normal, but I'm sure you will know what pace will keep you from overdoing it. Even when you recover well, it can take a long time to get back your your old energy level. It was like that for my mum's surgery in May.

Last edited by Yitzock (October 2, 2017 5:19 pm)



Clueing for looks.
 


 
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