These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Owie!

I just about did in my right hand last night. As it is, I did some real damage.

I was cooking my dinner, and when I turned my pork chop, it slid off the fork, and hot oil sloshed onto my right hand. I got it under cold water right away, and I kept it in cool water for nearly an hour. I had burns on my thumb, three fingers and a bit on the palm. As it turns out, significant burns are on two fingers and the thumb. The others are just slight.

While I soaked the hand in a pitcher of water, I carried it around while I looked for my bottle of aloe vera, nowhere to be found. I'm guessing I loaned it to someone. I was considering what to do. I did not want to drive in to the ER, 20 miles over hilly curves, some gravel, all while trying to balance a pitcher of water! I could call a neighbor, of course, but the other thing is, I was not at all enthused about going to the ER. Past experiences at the one here have not been great. Likewise, I didn't think it would be wise to drive in for another bottle of aloe gel, so I was looking for alternatives in the house.

I was in considerable pain and not thinking clearly, I'm sure. In fact, I took a pain pill about 10-15 minutes into this. It must have been 30 minutes into it that I realized, duh! I have aloe vera plants! One of them is huge, leaves 14-16 inches long and nearly 2 inches across. Lots of healing gel in those! So I began sacrificing the poor plant. 

I was having trouble keeping the gel on the burns, until I realized I could cut open a chunk, wrap it around my fingers, hold it in place with gauze and tape. It looks goofy, but it worked. And since I burned my right, dominant and, it was very challenging to get this accomplished! I'm a total klutz when using my left hand. Here is a glamor shot:


Weird, but functional! When I went to bed, I slid my hand inside a microfiber mitten, the kind you use for dusting. I had washed all my microfiber dusting cloths, so thank goodness it was clean. It was nice and roomy, and held everything in place overnight.

This morning I rewrapped everything with fresh aloe. Look at this blister. It's a doozy!



None of the blisters are deep ones. Today they are uncomfortable, but not painful. Now before anyone starts lecturing, yes, I will see my doctor tomorrow. Just no ER.

BTW, do you know how hard it is to type with only the left hand and the index finger on the right?



12 comments:

  1. Ouch, hope you are feeling better soon.

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    1. Thanks! Me, too. I'm actually not in much pain.

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  2. Glad to hear you are going to the doc. I used to keep a couple of aloe vera plants on my kitchen window sill in my home in Brenham, specifically for that purpose. Thankfully, never had to use 'em for that extensive a burn. Hope you are not too uncomfortable this evening.

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    1. I'm surely glad I had this one, for sure!

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  3. Owie is right! My goodness, that is quite a blister. I'm sorry this happened. I understand the ER part. I think you were very resourceful. Take care. Let us know what the doc says.

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    1. There are 2 others almost that big. I'm surprised they aren't hurting! Good ol' aloe vera!

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  4. Oh, painful, very painful. Glad you're getting checked out tomorrow. I have been getting quite a few e-mails saying right after a burn you should use raw egg whites. The whites only on the burn. They say its the best thing for it. I'm going to see if I have that e-mail and post what it says. (Now I come with advice!!!)

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    1. I'd heard the egg white thing, too, but of course I didn't think of it at the moment of panic. There are lots of other home remedies, too, but I could only think "aloe"!! [eye roll]

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  5. Oh dear! Thanks for braving the keyboard to share your story. I hope it heals up quickly. How did the dogs react? Did they notice you were in distress or were they focused on the pork chop?

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    1. Managing the keyboard was really a challenge last night, I must say. Today the doc said I did exactly the right thing and to continue with the Aloe Vera until the blisters broke, then he gave me a cream, Silvadene, to use after that. They broke today, and I've begun using the cream with a very light, pliable single-layer of gauze, just to keep the cream from getting on clothes, etc. Such a relief! I can actually type tonight!!

      As for the dogs .... I have no idea what they were doing! I was in my own little world!!

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  6. So sorry you were injured. Hope you are feeling better now. Take care.

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!