We never know how life is going to pan out, or what each new day will bring.
Maybe that's a good thing.
This past week was interesting, to say the least.
Bubbalee, my outside somewhat wild stray cat for the last 9 years, has been limping all winter. I finally decided to take her to the vet.
So last Thursday morning, Lois and I proceeded to get her in the crate.
You know how this turned out, right???
Despite thinking we had it all figured out, she bit into the back of my hand. I swear I heard bones crunch.
Cancelled the vet appt, Bubbalee ran off, I ran in the house, blood dripping, and washed and scrubbed my hand thinking I might pass out, it was so painful.
Lois poured peroxide over it, and the rest of the day I just hoped it would be ok.
It wasn't.
Best advice: cat bite= immediate trip to Urgent care or the ER, for an antibiotic.
By evening, my hand had blown up, and I could not even touch it. So at 8pm, I WAS at Urgent Care.
Apparently, cats have a nasty germ in their mouths, called "pasteurella".
Cat bites to the hand can cause serious infections, Mayo study finds. Cats' sharp teeth make relatively deep puncture wounds that are prone to infection. ... And of the patients who were hospitalized, two-thirds ended up needing surgery to flush out the bacteria and remove infected tissue.
The whole back of my hand was swollen, red, and very, very painful. I couldn't open the pill container, it was that bad.
The prognosis was that if the oral antibiotic did not work, and if in 24-48 hours there was no improvement, I would have to go to the ER for IV antibiotics.
Terrific. Right? I couldn't weave, couldn't really use my hand at all.
But Saturday morning, I woke up, afraid to look........but when I finally did, it was better. Much, much better. Relief flooded over me. I didn't think I was going to be that lucky.
Gratitude is a wonderful thing.
So the porch has been a lifesaver for Naya, who can't be off the leash. She loves the fresh air, listening to the birds, and generally watching over the yard. When she can stay awake that is.
It's a great place to read or do the crossword, I have found.
I never get too far away from her.
Yesterday my hand was much improved, so I decided to dye a 14 yard warp I had wound and ready.
Here it is all wound up, I just have to figure out how to get it unwound without having dye dripping all over.
Should be interesting.
And I'll leave you with my fave summer salad. Puerto Rican bean salad with avocado and tomato. This is going to get made a lot here this summer.
I try not to talk much about politics on my blog........I just get upset, and it doesn't get me anywhere.
Let's just say this:
Better days are coming.
:)
15 comments:
I am so glad to hear that the antibiotics did the trick for your hand. And thank you so much for keeping me updated about Naya. She is in my thoughts often, hoping that she will be perfectly well one day soon. :-)
Oh Lord, I do hope so. Because it's so utterly ridiculous right now.
I did NOT know that about cat bites! JEEZ I'm so glad it has improved quickly for you. And, would love to know what you throw in that bean salad. I jump started my WW diet again. This looks perfect.
I had a cat bite (my cat) quite a long time ago but I still remember how painful it was. Those sharp little teeth are incredibly strong and go right through the skin. Glad it didn't turn out any worse.
Glad you are ok. I knew about that as a friend visited and our cat stuck a claw into him and he yanked his hand away... He also ended up in A&E on antibiotics. We are still friends. Tho he avoids the cat.
Cat bites can be nasty!!! I mostly get a nail scratch from time to time! I'm glad the meds worked....who wants to spend time hooked up to the IV??? Naya has the right idea...time on the porch is perfect (for both of you!)
So glad the antibiotics worked! And that Naya is enjoying the porch. I have experienced a few minor cat bites, and those hurt. I can only imagine the pain of a deep one that became infected. Also, I always thought cat scratch fever was just a song title until my sister had it. It took months for the medicos to figure it out as they considered a variety of potentially life-threatening diagnoses, and she was miserable....
You have my sympathy. Working with the local cat shelter, i was once bitten, too, only i ended up in the hospital for five days of IV antibiotics. You are blessed, and i am very happy you didn't end up the way i did.
I didn't know that cat bites could be so dangerous - so glad everything turned out OK in the end and your hand's healing. I suspect Bubbalee's keeping a low profile!
I shall take your advice to heart and head to the hospital if I ever come into contact with some germ-ridden cat teeth! I'm glad the medication worked. I was playing with Tessa, my son's dog, and accidently hit my hand on her mouth and a tooth went into my hand, but although it bled for a while, it healed up very fast.
I'm interested in your dying process.
Many years ago as a high school aged person, I was bitten by a cat on my forearm - I got between her and a dog. I had 5 holes in my arm 4 canine holes with a second hole where one tooth went all the way thru. I must have been a very healthy young person as I just had some swelling and soreness, but didn't get infected. For cat scratches small or large, I use Watkins Petro Carbo salve. If you put it on any scratch right away, they don't get red and irritated like they always do if you don't treat them. On the salve tin, it says 'do not use on cats', so obviously it kills anything cat related :)
I have heard that about cat bites--especially from feral cats. I'm so glad your hand is better.
I pray better days are coming...soon. :)
Oh Hilary! OUCH!!! I have always been fearful of my cats biting me. A friend of my dad's always takes in strays and provides them with excellent care (as you do). One of her rescues paid her back with a "love bite" and she was actually hospitalized for a little stay! I am happy to see that you had your wound taken care of so it is healing quickly.
Your porch seems like such a peaceful place to relax. Naya seems to love it! I am hoping to do something like yours with my porch. I want to screen t in and put a rug down and make it pretty and comfortable.
I, too, am praying for better days. Although, I isolate myself from the harsh outside world here on my little farm. It's like a loving cocoon to nestle in.
Ouch!! so glad the antibiotics are working. Bubbalee did not want to go the Vet!!! Well, hopefully, you improve soon.
Yes, politics are a tough one right now.
What can you say, except, I hope it gets better and sooner than later. Midterms are not that far off. :)
Indeed, here's to better days.
Once more...REci[e for Puerto Rican Bean Salad Please?
Deb
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