I haven't been here in a long, long time, like 5 months or so. One day toward the end of November, they let me go home from work early because the ER just was'nt that busy. I went home, got in the shower and had this sudden onset if pain, more intense than labor, started at my left elbow and into my left hand. As time went on, they (the doctors) decided I had vasculitis although they couldn't figure out why. Sure I have RA but I'm sero-negative and most other counts are relatively low and it just shouldn't happen so they said. I stayed in the hospital where I've worked for 2.5 weeks. They transfered me to University of Alabama in Birmingham hospital. The rheumatologist they sent me to there forgot to give me Procardia to take at home, he thought one of the fellows had done it. He apologized profusely when I showed up in his office with two finger tips turning completely black. The BP medicine kept the vessels open going to my hand, when I didn't have it, the tissue became ischemic and started to die. They told me that it might spread to my other fingers and really there wasn't much they could do, I should just go home, take pain medication and let my fingers rot off. Can you imagine???
After all was said and done, I spent more than a month in hospital, I haven't worked in 4 months, I've had 2 operations and thank goodness I have health insurance otherwise I would have the half million dollar hand. The last surgery was to take the fingertips off. I've been taking hyperbaric oxygen treatments that have helped a great deal. Hope to be back to work soon. It's been quite an ordeal, but could've been worse. Could have gotten my right hand.
Oh Wendy, I'm at a loss for words. This was a nightmare for you, compounded by a mistake. Are there meds to stabilize you? I'm so sorry that you had to go through this. Do you have any answers on why? Were there any warning symptoms? Take care and please keep posting so we know how you're doing. LindyLike LinB I am so sorry you have had to endure this. I hope you are stable at this time and recovering from this ordeal.
My very best wishes to you. Shug
HI Wendy, how awful, oh my God, you poor thing, I hope you are getting plenty of rest and have someone to pamper you, do they know for sure why it happened? People sue for less, that is awful that the Dr stuffed up, I know, we all make mistakes but this is a massive mistake and the insurance they pay is for this type of thing, I know it won't make your fingers normal again, but boy oh boy, what an awful mistake to make and then to be told go home and wait for your fingers to rot? I will keep you in my prayers, Janie.
Wendy, I so sorry to read about your struggle with vasculitis. I'll be keeping you in my prayers.
Take care,
Lynn
Wendy - we had wondered where you had gone, and I am so sorry it was such a scary place. I have a friend with vasculitis, and its not fun. I am glad you were able to save your hand. Very glad.Wendy, that is an awful ordeal!
Don't you just hate it when you are sicker than your patients? Did you like being in the hospital where you work? I've never minded, but I know other nurses who refuse to do so.