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View Full Version : First trip to the ER (long)


jamsmu
04-29-2004, 10:51 PM
Well, I swore it wouldn't happen. I'd read all the posts and think, I won't need to post anything like that. I'm really careful. So maybe he'll go in high school after an atheletic event...

Carson's had an infection in his finger for about a week. We were putting hydrogen peroxide and Neosporin on it since last Friday (per the doctor's orders.) Mom came over to visit yesterday and got me kind of concerned, so I called the doctor again and we went in for him to check it last night.

The doctor said that it looks like it is improving (from my descriptions), and to continue what we are doing (hydrogen peroxide and Neosporin) and to start him on an antibiotic because it is an infection and it needs to be cured from the inside.

THEN....

today, he was playing around 3:45 after just "snacking". He was moving so quickly through all of his toys. I was on the couch, paging through a magazine and watching him. He ended up next to the couch where we keep the bigger toys and was playing with the push cart that we just borrowed 2 days ago from our neighbor. It has little mail slots on it to put plasitc "mail" and they open as doors. Anyway, all the sudden I heard a shriek, much more high pitched and louder than a "fall-and-get-back-up" pout. I knew something was wrong. I picked him up and he was screaming and catching his breath... so red in the face. So I saw his hand was all bloody. I ran him over to the sink and sprayed warm/cold water on it to rinse it off so I could figure out which finger/where it was. Of course, it was the infected finger. It was like a faucet with blood and I tried to keep it under the water, but he was really crying. So I called the doctor's office. They wanted me to put pressure on it for a few minutes to stop the bleeding, then ice it if he'd let me. Took a cloth and put pressure on it, but he would just scream. I decided to take him outside to distract him and me, and we walked up and down the street singing. Then we sat on the stairs. Everytime I tried to change the pressure point, to try to stop the bleeding, he would scream. (I sang to calm him down.) So I decided to breastfeed him to calm him. That worked a little, but he was still in too much pain. Called Steve after about 30 minutes and we talked and decided it was time to go to the doctor. So I put 4 bandaids on it and put him in the car. Promptly, he fell asleep and I called the doctor who told me to go to the ER.

First, I had to call Steve to find out where the nearest hospital is (I was a little in shock, but I'm also still learning the area.) I got there, but made a wrong turn on the way. It was a beautiful hosptial!! The people were so great to us and Carson was the entertainment for the ER waiting room. As long as the bandage didn't come loose, he was smiling and jumping and "talking" to everyone. When we finally got in to see the doctor, they decided that there wasn't much they could do. It was too small to stitch and if it is broken, they would only recommend a bandage and an antibiotic, so since he was already getting that, they didn't even x-ray.

I felt a little embarrassed because we spent the afternoon in the ER and all he needed was a bandage of guaze. But now we need to stop the hydro-peroxide and Neosporin and continue the antibiotic for 9 more days.

It still bleeds when irritated so I have a feeling it will be a long few days while it heals. We'll go back to the doctor on Monday.

Just a thought... I remember at Carson's 6 month appt., the ped said, "okay, we'll see you in 3 months." My response was, "I have a feeling we'll be in before then." Since his 6 month appt., we've been in 6 times... this will be number 7 on Monday! And he has over a month to go until his 9 month appt. Yikes!

cdlamis
04-29-2004, 11:25 PM
Oh Julie! I am so glad that Carson is ok. What an afternoon you have had. I am sure you were frantic but I am glad all is ok.

Daniella
Mom to Julia 6-13-02
And baby #2 EDD 12-30-04!!

jbowman
04-29-2004, 11:35 PM
Good to hear that Carson is ok! What a scare you had. I hope after Monday you don't see your ped again until his 9-month appointment!

TaChapm
04-29-2004, 11:36 PM
What a day! Poor little guy. I hope he isn't in too much pain.
Tara
Mommy to Jackson 11-10-02

jasabo
04-29-2004, 11:36 PM
I'm so glad Carson is ok. I know how scary those ER visits are...we had to take Sammy in when he fell off the counter. We felt kind of dumb when we walked out a few hours later without even a bandaid, but it's better safe then sorry.

I wanted to tell you that I was taught in nursing school not to use hydrogen peroxide on wounds because it actually interferes with the healing process by inhibiting the build-up of a scab. I imagine every health care professional has their own theory on wound healing, but just wanted to pass that along for your consideration. Also, to throw another wrench into it, my dh is a pharmacist and he swears that Neosporin doesn't really help much with skin infections because it doesn't fight the most common bacteria that cause most skin infections. He says oral antibiotics and soap and water are the way to go for infections. Take it for what it's worth. Like I said, there are lots of different theories out there.

Glad Carson is ok :)

Lisa - mom to 10 month old twin boys who's sure she's going to be going through a LOT of bandaids and ER visits in the future with my guys :)

jamsmu
04-30-2004, 09:35 AM
Lisa, It's interesting you mention that. My DH had the same comment yesterday afternoon. He thinks the hydroperox. dried it out. I'm going to mention it to the doctor. At the ER they were like, "NOOOOO! don't continue doing that" and had abot the same comment as your dh.

thanks to everyone for your notes!

amp
04-30-2004, 11:01 AM
Aww, Julie - hugs to you and to poor little Carson! You must have been soo worried when he wouldn't stop crying and you couldn't get the bleeding to stop. Glad it turned out ok and I hope he heals soon!