Help with a rebuild!

[rlablan]

Kiefers! I am so glad you know what I am talking about...
Okay so when I first went, They put steri strips on it. When I went back they removed them and said do antibiotic ointment, wash it in antiseptic and change the dressing (this was on Saturday).
When I went today, They said to keep it open and not bandage it and no more antibiotic ointment. The cut looks pretty wide and open to just leave it exposed. There is no scab and no closure there... is that okay to just leave it open like that?
I left today with it open and taped the way they had it... it hurt. A TON! I have since rewrapped it and not in pain anymore. They put the 3m tape right over the gash, without any dressing.
I never see the same doctor and they all tell me different stuff. I am confused and I am just trying to not be in pain but I don't want to stop healing or make anything worse...

They have me on Cephalexin 250 MG every 6 hours for 7 days... I feel like this stuff is messing me up. I've been super nauseas and my stomach and stuff feels weird. I have been eating greek yogurt for breakfast and also taking probiotic caplets. Is that gonna be enough/be okay?
Also, now they are referring me to a hand specialist because when I went in today, they asked me to make a fist. I can do it except my injured finger just sort of bends down a little and then starts to involuntarily "bounce" up and down. Bending it also hurts quite a lot.
I don't know what to do. When it is lightly taped and splinted to be kept straight, it feels so much better.

 

[rlablan]

Sip- I wish I could just relax like that... I am the type that can only relax so much. I relax and then think the world is gonna end, which is stressful.
I wish I was not so nausea all the time, otherwise, a scotch and pastry would be lovely. The last 48 hours I have been this way... I think it's the Rx they have me on? I dk... I am SOOOO tired of this.

 

[rlablan]

Here are some pictures I just took today.
Seriously, I don't think this is healed enough to just leave it open... but what do I know?

I had been wrapping it (like they did when it first happened) with the blue tape all the way up and down. I want the area to get oxygen but I don't want stuff just getting in there. I put some of this hospital grade gauze on it to keep crap outta there, however it is loose to allow oxygen to come through it.... ??
Here it is...
It's hard to see but when you look from different angles, the cut definitely makes a deeper V shape...the the length of the cut is a V shaped through or canal...
I am kind of at a loss here... I don't know what I should do.

 

[sweatervest13]

OMG.. That is terrible. I hope it heals up for you. Be careful not to put that hand in the tank for a while. Shoot, I never put my bare hand in the tank (unless its to grab the algae clip real quick). I keep a big box of gloves in my fish room. That and a nice tight rubber band to put around my wrist to try to keep the water out.
I could never work at a LFS. All the customers would think I was a sissy. But, I have seen some crazy pics of infections from SW tanks, and I have seen too many birstle worms in my tank to just go grabbing corals or LR w/o a glove.
Again, I hope you feel better.
PS. I know exactly what you mean about too much relaxation. I can only have so much before I go stir crazy.

 

[rlablan]

Hahaha exaclty. This happened last tuesday... I am going nuts!!
Just so there is no confusion, I got this cut at work, not from my tank. (For anyone skimming this thread.)
But yes. I will DEF NOT be putting this hand into my tank until it is completely healed up. That is a good way to get some type of crazy coral toxin right into my blood stream... which is a really BAD idea.
I have been conscious to not get anything tank related on my right hand at all. It's difficult. lol
Thanks Vest. I appreciate the thoughts. I hope it gets better too.

 

[rlablan]

On an unrelated note, I am going to rebuild my algea scrubber.
It works great and I already have tons of brown growth on the screen. However, nearly every morning, I get up and the slit that feeds the water to the screen is plugged and has been shooting water out of the tank all night. Because of this, the tank is low on water, FULL of micro bubbles and for an NPS tank, that is a NO GO. Luckily, at this point I have 3 relatively easy going sponges. I can tell that the ball sponge does not like this, as there are dead spots in the bottom of the sponge where bubbles are getting trapped. Yikes.
I am going to re-plumb the set up with a union (wish I had thought of that before), put the plumbing down into the sump a little more and also possibly build a splash screen.
Other than this annoying issue, I do like the scrubber. It's keeping my water nice and clear.

 

[sweatervest13]

Quote:
Originally Posted by rlablan http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/440#post_3519472
On an unrelated note, I am going to rebuild my algea scrubber.
It works great and I already have tons of brown growth on the screen. However, nearly every morning, I get up and the slit that feeds the water to the screen is plugged and has been shooting water out of the tank all night. Because of this, the tank is low on water, FULL of micro bubbles and for an NPS tank, that is a NO GO. Luckily, at this point I have 3 relatively easy going sponges. I can tell that the ball sponge does not like this, as there are dead spots in the bottom of the sponge where bubbles are getting trapped. Yikes.
I am going to re-plumb the set up with a union (wish I had thought of that before), put the plumbing down into the sump a little more and also possibly build a splash screen.
Other than this annoying issue, I do like the scrubber. It's keeping my water nice and clear.
How did you cut the slot that the screen fits into?? The slot is the most crucial part to make sure that you get good even flow down the screen. I have constantly been tweaking mine (currently offline because of a faulty pump). I am about to scrap the top portion of the scrubber and try to cut it over again. I am glad I used a couple of unions. I just need two more 90 degree elbows and two new unions to give it another go. I would 100% for sure do a splash screen. It can be very simple. As long as it keeps water in the tank and out of the light.

 

[rlablan]

I just cut it using a dremel.
Even when the slot gets a little clogged, it still has really good coverage on the screen. Its just squirting like the tiniest amount of water out of one side or some place random. It'll start as soon as I go to bed and then be that way all night. Last night, from 10pm to 7am this morning. After it's leaking all night, it's on the floor and it runs through my grout lines in the tile and into my carpeting across the room. Obnoxious.
I wouldn't even need a splash shield if I hd plumbed the thing "inside" the sump, instead of on top of it. Does that make sense? If you look at the picture I posted of it, I think i'll make more sense. So I just wanna build it the same but so that it goes down into the sump a little more. If it did, the sump would be it's own splash screen. My sump runs really low, so it's not splashing when it hits the water, it's the coming out of the tube when it's a little clogged that's causing the issue. I think I can also remedy the squirting if I pull the screen out of the slit a little. I think it's up there more than it needs to be... I will take a look at it when I feel up to it later.

 

[2quills]

You using a strainer on your feed pump by any chance?
I toyed around with a few different designes for a scrubber spray bar. I ended up with about a 1/8" slit all the way down the pipe and then cut a couple of cross slits near each end. Seemed to help eliminate some of the random streams of water that would shoot out sideways from time to time.
Still ended up making a splash shield just incase. But if you can lowere the bar then you should be good to go.

 

[kiefers]

Quote:
Originally Posted by rlablan http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/420#post_3519462
Sip- I wish I could just relax like that... I am the type that can only relax so much. I relax and then think the world is gonna end, which is stressful.
I wish I was not so nausea all the time, otherwise, a scotch and pastry would be lovely. The last 48 hours I have been this way... I think it's the Rx they have me on? I dk... I am SOOOO tired of this.
okay, I can see where the Doc's would want you to leave it open. Typically when you are not involved in any activities such as playing football, gardening, MESSING WITH YOUR TANKS, to go ahead and leave it open to dry it up and allow it to heal. Leaving all the ointment on it and wrapped up keeps it moist and soft, much like the first pic you posted. I will have to look at the pic where you had the actual incision unwrapped.
As for the specialists, you may have sliced a tendon or ligament or muscle which allows it to bounce around as you stated. It is going to be sore, and I am sorry to read you are have this discomfort. Are you taking any pain meds other than Tylenol or Motrin? The reason it feels good when you wrap it is due to the pressure from the splint or dressing.
One last question here..... are you eating (anything other than sweets or pastries) before you take the antibiotic?
Sorry, just got home. It's been a lousy day.

 

[rlablan]

Quills (Corey, isn't it?) - I am not familiar with this strainer you speak of. What is that? do you buy these or build these?
I am able to move the scrubber screen down and I will but I will definitely look into drilling some type of slits or something so that pressure can be relieved when needed to avoid the rogue water streams.
Dr. Kiefers- Why was your day lousy? Did you lose the patient? Nah Jk... but seriously I am sorry you had a rough day. Those days suck and I hope that tomorrow is better for you. I hope it won't stop you from giving me your opinion on this ridiculous cut.
I put this gauze over it, only this time I didn't double it over or cover it with tape. It basically looks like a piece of cheese cloth over the cut. It makes me feel a little better... makes me feel like stuff can't just jump in to it, ya know? But I didn't cover it with tape. I just put the tape on top and bottom to secure my little debris barrier. However, the threads of my very flimsy shield got caught in the pus coming from the wound which dried around the little fibers and that HURT like the dickens to get off. Now the little white stringy looking thing that was in the middle of the open part of my cut ^^^ in the above photo... It's sticking out and hurts.
Painful.
In regards to the pastries... I haven't even had one in a while. I Think everyone is under the impression that I eat nothing but pastries. (Hahahahaha I wish. )
Yesterday I had greek yogurt with granola and strawberries, 2 cups of coffee for breakfast. lunch was a handful of natural pretzel sticks, a large handful of roasted almonds, a large cup of peach chunks in light syrup (organic, all natural), and dinner was orange chicken with snow peas and a couple of crab wontons, along with probiotic caplets through out the day with each antibiotic and plenty of water. At some point I had a can of Dr. pepper.
Today was a biscuit and egg sandwich and nonFat no whip mocha, a tuna sandwich on honey wheat, a ton of water, more probiotic caps (I'm out of yogurt), and teriyaki chicken with rice and more crab wontons (they are my new obsession).
^^ This is pretty average for me.
I am sure it's not the healthiest but I figure I eat pretty well... Is there something I shouldn't be eating? Or something I should be? I have been trying to eat a little more protein... I think I just made up that that will help but... who knows...
As always, input appreciated on all fronts, tank related or not.

 

[kiefers]

Sorry about the stereo typeing with the pastries. It was kinda funny nonetheless. Just one little tid bit, if the dressing is sticking to the wound, wet it prior to removing it. In some cases we do not wet it down in order to remove the old "scab" or cap to help the healing, kinda inside out rather the outside in.
You eat well and I must add have a wonderful taste in food. I asked if you were eating because some antibiotics require food in the stomach before taking them which in some cases does prevent nausea.
Take it easy on the probiotics and focus on dairy, yogurt, fruits, and of coarse water. you only have a cut and taking antibiotics. Don't over kill the probiotics at this point. Allow your bod to take over and rebuild it's own defenses. Ever hear of "To much of a good thing"?
Talk to your R.N. friend and have her assess it again and have her clean it. Nothing some good ol soup and water can't handle. Lol......
Your doing fine and will be fine. Keep smiling chica!
Thank you for the good day wishes, I might need it

 

[rlablan]

Hah! It's not a stereotype at all... At least, I don't think it is... l likes pastries hehe

I just haven't had any lately... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Now I want pastries.

Well I am out of yogurt... Do I seriously need to be eating it all the time or probiotics? I am just concerned about that... they told me to make sure to take them/eat yogurt but I dk why... They never answered my question. And now I am out of yogurt... I am also really sick of yogurt.
(Can we all tell that I get injured/sick often? It has been a week and I am going nuts and feel like my hand may fall off. hahaha)
Thanks for the info though. I am a little more at ease. I am taking it that you don't think that my hand is gonna fall off and that makes me feel better.
My hand will live to see another day! (insert Shakespearean skull and pose here)

 

[kiefers]

On another note...... keep that pusy infected yuk finger out of your tanks.
The bacteria in the tanks could wreak havoc on your "ridiculous" cut.
Just a suggestion. Goodnight.

 

[rlablan]

Goodnight friend!
PS- I only call it ridiculous not because of size but because it's been 3 doctors appts in one week and I'm still not done. ridiculous.

 

[kiefers]

Quote:
Originally Posted by rlablan http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/440#post_3519543
Hah! It's not a stereotype at all... At least, I don't think it is... l likes pastries hehe

I just haven't had any lately... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Now I want pastries.

Well I am out of yogurt... Do I seriously need to be eating it all the time or probiotics? I am just concerned about that... they told me to make sure to take them/eat yogurt but I dk why... They never answered my question. And now I am out of yogurt... I am also really sick of yogurt.
(Can we all tell that I get injured/sick often? It has been a week and I am going nuts and feel like my hand may fall off. hahaha)
Thanks for the info though. I am a little more at ease. I am taking it that you don't think that my hand is gonna fall off and that makes me feel better.
My hand will live to see another day! (insert Shakespearean skull and pose here)

heheheheheeee........ okay I looked at your cut and it looks very good!
you don't have to eat yogurt ALL the time, just two times a day, morning and at night. The yogurt replaces the good bacteria in you digestive tract, without it you stand a chance of getting a yeast infection. Don't want you having to deal with two issues.
Okay friendly chica....... gonite.

 

[novahobbies]

....and now, we're talking about yeast infections. Lovely.

 

[rlablan]

Thanks friend. I am glad that it looks good at this point. Slowly but surely it will get there.
I hope you have a better day today!

 

[rlablan]

Ahahahah well Richard, you had to point that out.
I choose to just take in the information and avoid pointing that out... but hey. To each their own ;-)

 

[kiefers]

Pointing what out? did I mispell something or..... ah heck, nvmnd.
How is my patient feeling today?
Any pain or drainage?
BTW..... ganna need some insurance information from ya. Lol.....