There are a few things I always used in the game I Have Never:
I have never had a bloody nose
I have never been snow skiing
I have never cracked my own knuckles
I have never had stitches
Well, after last week I’ll be limited to the first three. I have now had stitches! Don’t ask me why I used an exclamation point there because it wasn’t a fun or exciting experience. I was running in Central Park and just as I was coming by the fountain on my way home I totally ate it. And I mean totally. I fell and slid. When I looked back to see what on earth had the audacity to get in my way and trip me I didn’t see a thing! Yup, I’m a klutz. My knee was pretty badly banged up with some cuts, but my arm was a complete disaster! One man came over to me with a napkin and said “I promise it’s clean”. I wouldn’t have cared if it weren’t – I needed something besides my shirt (already covered in blood) to put on it. (And, may I just interject here – as I was walking home, dripping blood – mind you, crying my eyes out, only a couple people asked if I was okay…what’s wrong with people?!!)
I don’t know what I was, or wasn’t, thinking when I decided it was okay to go into work after cleaning the wound. It was bad. But, I went to work. After having to change the gauze for a third time I decided I’d better have it looked at. So I called my insurance company and asked for the location of an urgent care clinic. The first two (yes, that’s right, TWO) turned out NOT to be able to do sutures…as you can imagine I was on the verge of a breakdown when I called for the third time. I didn’t care that I was standing in the middle of the street crying on the phone. I finally found a clinic and they were able to help me – after they made me wait 2 hours, that is. Showing the woman the wound didn’t help. And, don’t worry, I had to change the gauze again while I was there because it was still bleeding. According to the doctor, the cut was down to my bone (I hadn’t really wanted to look at it) and everyone kept saying they couldn’t believe I didn’t come in sooner. I can’t believe I didn’t either – I think I was in denial that I’d need stitches. Or in shock (which the doctor said). Or just plain crazy. Take your pick.
But, I’m stitched up now and healing very well. I didn’t actually feel a thing during the stitching, which I appreciated.
I’ve debated putting the photo up or not, because it’s really kind of gross, but I’ve decided to anyway – Maren & Amber (and any other nursing friends) – I figured you’d enjoy it.
5 comments:
Girl, that is CRAZY! Take care of yourself.
You're right I enjoyed it! If there hadn't been a picture i would have been upset! You have to put up pictures of your battles scars. Just because it was a battle that you lost... and there wasn't really another opponent...you still have to put up a picture. OOOh, that looks like it hurt. How in the world did you get such a deep gash without any other road rash on your arm? Amazing.
Insane, that the clinics couldn't do suture. They are URGENT care places. This is what they do! Well, i am glad you are ok. Look at the bright side- now you are well practiced in changing gauze and you know what urgent care facility to go to when you need one. And now when you play the game i have never, you will just have to say, I have never had stitches more than once, or on my leg, or something like that. You will figure it out.
Oh dang! That doesn't look like a lot of fun. I sorry to hear that you had quite the challenge even finding a place to do stitches. That's CRAZY for a place like NY.
Well, welcome to the club. I've had stitches at least 3 times -- well... four; if you count the fact that I popped open one of my wounds the day after getting the stitches. :)
Owwie! I am so sorry! I was wondering what happened to you! Now I know. Glad it's healing up for you!
Wow. that is all I can say. when you eat it, you eat it. And while I am thrilled to see the stitches...what I really want...is to see the replay of the fall. especially you looking back and realizing you tripped on nothing. who knows--maybe someone was hiding in the bushes and stuck out their foot and tripped you. you never know! :)
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