I sliced my finger open with a scalpel, I remember thinking to myself at the time, if I’m not careful I could cut my finger here. Anyway off to A&E, three stitches with the preceding anaesthetic injected straight into the open wound. If I’m ever in that situation again I would seriously consider foregoing the anaesthetic.
Well, a bit of an update... unfortunately it hasn't quite gone as hoped. I went to my GP on Friday afternoon, who took one look at my thumb and referred me to A&E at Barnet General, my local hospital. I got there at 8am on Saturday, waited for an hour and a half, and was then told by the streaming nurse that I was likely facing at least another 8 hours of waiting. She suggested going to my local walk in centre (in this case, Chase Farm hospital in Enfield, for anyone that knows the area). They didn't like the look of my thumb either so gave me a tetanus shot and an x-ray before sending a shedload of photos over to Plastics at the Royal Free hospital in Belsize Park before Plastics told them I had to go see them immediately for an assessment. My son kindly drove me over there, and I then had another 4 hour wait before seeing the Plastics senior nurse. By now it was about 7.30 in the evening. Long story short, it transpired that the top of my thumb was dead and I also had quite a bad infection. I ended up with another anaesthetic shot and then had all the dead bit - basically half of the top of my thumb - cut off with a pair of scissors (really); I drew the line at having the nail removed - for now, at least - but I need to go back on Monday, when they'll make an other assessment. They were pretty scathing about the work done in Tenerife, citing their incompetence as the cause for all the problems that ensued. I'm pretty annoyed about that, especially as I went privately under my travel insurance. Still, not much to be done about that now, although had I known what was going to happen subsequently I'd have started a claim with BUPA, my health insurers, and would have avoided 12 hours of hell yesterday. It's clear that the NHS is on it's knees right now - by the time I was seen by Plastics the delay for same day care at the Royal Free hospital was being touted as 6 hours.
Bad news, mate. Jeez, you have some bad luck. If ever I go on a cruise I would check the passenger list to make sure you're not on the ship Hope you get it sorted to the best possible outcome.
Bloody hell you always seem to get the shitty end of the stick. Tbh I thought it looked dodgy coz when I did mine many years ago it looked a damn sight prettier than yours and healed well, good old NHS. Hope it's the last of this for you and you make a good recovery, bloody foreign hospitals, grrrrr.
Your waiting times are pretty typical of where we are. However there are other locations which are really on their game. We were in Wales in August and I suffered a broken collarbone. Off to A&E at the Royal Shrewsbury A&E department. Initial triage, X-ray and final consultation plus script for pain killers. In and out in ¾ hour max. Couldn’t believe it.
ouch! the medical procedures hurt more than the initial cut around the pandemic I hit my pinkie with a chain saw, it required a lot of cleaning, anesthetics, 6 stitches... it looked dreadful, the stitches were a nuisance as they get caught everywhere and hurt a friend recommended to use "dragon blood" an extract from the tree Croton lechleri, known for its medicinal properties, particularly in wound healing and as an anti-inflammatory agent today my finger looks like nothing ever happened but I did not get an infection and did not loose any tissue Wish a quick recovery!
@learningtofly Well, holy crap, Tony. That is really bad news. I knew your thumb looked pretty bad but was dismayed to read that not only did you have a bad infection but that the top of your thumb was dead. I hope that plastics can make the best of a bad situation. Please keep us posted if you would. As others have mentioned, you do seem to keep getting the short end of the health stick. I'll keep on praying for you.
Thanks all. Yes, this and my other health challenges are all a bit of a bummer. I'm trying to keep smiling through it, though (although currently my smile is probably more of a grimace). Hopefully all will go smoothly today, and it'll just be a clean and re-dressing.
Well, a quick update. Went back to Plastics yesterday. They cleaned the wound, pulled off some dead skin with tweezers (ouch) and re-dressed it. It appears to be healing now, and I have to go back next Monday for what I hope is a final assessment. They also confirmed that the nail didn't need to come off, thank goodness.
Hurray, Tony! That’s good news and what a relief. You’re well overdue for a bit of a break. Thanks for the update.
Thank you, @Sandi T, and it is. Very relieved to keep the nail, too, as I didn't fancy that being pulled off
@learningtofly Boy o'h boy you got it all. Yes mate you are due a little better luck and a good break from it all. You remain in my thoughts and prayers mate.
Wow so sorry to hear your ordeals to date. Thinking positive Christmas vibes for you now. We go to Tenerife each year makes me want to be extra careful to not need treatment having seen your experience.
Appreciate that, Joe, thank you. Good news actually, in that I that went back to hospital for an assessment yesterday, and all was fine. It's healing now, and I've been discharged by Plastics.
Thank you very much, @Sandi T! I’ve actually just booked a villa in a neighbouring town for a couple of weeks in March - my key objective is to avoid ending up in hospital!
No more hospitals, Tony! You've used up your quota (hopefully). Glad you're planning a little getaway in March.
