I still am feeling quite tired, and I have these occasional bouts of nausea which I don't quite understand, but overall, things are improving...
I am no longer taking any pain medication. Typing is still tough, both because I still can't actually use my thumb, and because my thumb starts to throb after just a minute or so when I don't keep it elevated (such as when I try to type). Interestingly, when it throbs, it still doesn't really hurt (although it will give me a twinge every now and then just to let me know who's boss), but I figure the extra vascular pressure on the wound isn't helpful, so I am still trying to keep my hand elevated as much as possible. Between the tiredness, nausea, and typing impairment, my work productivity has suffered, which is a bit of a problem because I really need to be at least at 100% right now due to where we are in the deal cycle.
Thankfully, there doesn't appear to be any infection. I am dutifully removing the bandage daily, gently bathing the wound, and then applying a new dressing. I don't know if it is the trauma, or if I damaged a (some) nerve(s), but when I touch my thumb, the inside side of the thumb feels like a part does when it has "fallen asleep:" I can sense the pressure, and it feels tingly.
I'm no medical professional, but I'd at best give even odds that the excised flap will survive. If it doesn't, I'm not sure what will happen. I don't know if I'll end up with a mass of scar tissue that will limit the movement of my thumb requiring removal (of the scar tissue, not my thumb) and grafting. I've been there, done that on the other hand, and I'd prefer to not have to repeat the experience. I guess I'm still also a little nervous that the wound could still get infected, causing all sorts of additional problems.
And then there's the whole question of do I retain a lawyer. I don't agree with the whole "sue happy" nature of a segment of our society. I think there is a lot of frivolous litigation, which ends up costing all of us a lot of money. On the other hand, I do think that companies can sometimes cut corners to save/make money, and in the process, endanger customers. I don't want to take advantage of this incident, but I also don't want to be taken advantage of.
Well, my thumb is starting to twinge, and I need to try to get some work done...
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Posted by David at May 05, 2006 08:57 AM