*TO AVOID ANY CONFUSION, I’m noting up front that this is simply a “Misnomer could use some sympathy” thread. I’m not looking for skepticism, nit-picking, mechanical/medical advice, etc. Thanks!
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It’s been a bit of an unusually stressful week…I don’t want to whine to my IRL friends, so I’m whining to you guys.
Issue #1: I had the nail of my left foot’s big toe removed this morning. It was infected and had been for a while, and the pain was finally such that I saw a podiatrist last week. She took one look and said, “Well, we *could *try topical/medicinal treatment, but frankly I’d remove that sucker ASAP.” I’m relieved to have the procedure over with: I’m a huge wuss when it comes to anticipated pain, and the apprehension was kind of stressful at times. I’m a little tired this afternoon even though I got plenty of (quality) sleep, and I think it’s because of the adrenaline up-and-down. I need to stop at the store on the way home from work and buy some stuff – betadine, Band-Aids, Tylenol, etc. – but then I’m looking forward to spending the evening on my couch, trusty dog at my side, doing as little as possible.
Issue #2: My car has been in the shop for over a week, and it’s going to be an expensive repair. I provide details in this thread, but in short I dropped her off last Thursday morning because of an oil pressue issue. I think the “all done” call will come today, but I won’t pick her up until Monday: my car is a stick, and due to the aforementioned toenail removal I think I’d rather keep the automatic transmission rental car for a few more days. If the rental place were open on weekends I’d probably be up for making the swap tomorrow, but it isn’t…so, Monday it is. I’m not looking forward to handing over my credit card, but I’m never happy driving a rental and I’m ready to have my car back already.
Issue #3: Last Thursday I had an abnormal screening mammogram. My follow-up ultrasound and diagnostic mammogram are scheduled for a week from today. I know that the odds are *hugely *in my favor, and my headspace is mostly optimistic, but I’ll admit to having some “but what if…” moments. I haven’t told any of my friends – I don’t want to say anything until after the follow-up – so it helps to be able to write about it here.
I was given *no *warning that May was going to be like this! :mad:
Oh dear. All of that piling on you sucks large duck eggs. An evening on the sofa with the dog is definitely in order. In fact, I’d say the whole weekend on the sofa with the doggie doing less than nothing makes perfect sense. I’m sure the doggie will be totally on board with that program. What’s the doggie’s name (or pseudonym)?
I had the same nail permanently removed some years back but the removal didn’t completely take. I’ve changed podiatrists since then and the new one killed the remaining tiny little bit last month.
I had my big toenail removed permanently. The surgery part is not that bad, but the recover does suck. You become very aware of just how much you use that toe during recovery.
And comically, I guarded like my life depended on it. If anybody came with in a two foot radius of my personal space, I would instinctively put my hands out to ensure they didn’t accidentally step on my foot. Lol
Two friends have performances tomorrow night, and if my foot is up for it I’d like to go to at least one of them. But there’s a good chance I’ll be a couch potato all weekend.
Bailey. She’s almost 11, and a very good dog. Thanks for asking!
This wasn’t a permanent removal: the nail will grow back, I just don’t know what it will look like or whether the fungal infection will reassert itself/still be present. I’m hoping it will grow in healthy, but we’ll see.
As others have said, the procedure itself is a piece of cake: the hardest part of that is the local anesthetic, which burns for a few seconds. The doc said, “You have two jobs while we numb your toe: keep breathing, and don’t kick.” She sprayed freezing stuff on my toe before each needle, and I really hardly felt anything. Kicking or moving my foot at all was never even a thing. I was surprised at how little time the removal itself took. I could feel pressure — I knew she was doing something — but there was zero pain. I wasn’t able to watch (my choice), but I did look at the removed nail afterwards (eww).
Right now I’m about 8 hours post-procedure, and have been feeling some increasing soreness for the past 3-4 hours. Not bad enough for even Tylenol yet, but I’m definitely aware that something happened to my toe. The bandage stays on for 24 hours, and frankly I’m a little apprehensive about taking it off tomorrow: I’m worried about “sticking,” and having some pain when I remove the bottom layer. But I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. It’ll be good to eventually have the big “mummy toe” dressing off and just a Band-Aid on it.
Just before I went into Air Force Basic Training, I kicked the leg of my bed while barefooted, and broke my big toenail on my left big toe down to below the quick. As I started Basic Training, the toenail started growing in infected, made worse by the combat boots I had to wear. Eventually it got so bad, I had to go to see a doctor, who told me I needed to have the toenail removed. I had to spend two days in bed, using a wheelchair to get around to go the bathroom and to shower while in the hospital. They then let me out of the hospital and back to Basic Training, but I had to use crutches for a week or so. The toenail still looks different from the other big toe nail, I can’t really explain how it’s different, just not the same. It’s also thicker.
Here’s my totally unsolicited and totally unqualified medical advice: take a couple of Tylenol prophylactically (no, not THAT kind of prophylactic!). Get ahead of the pain. Don’t wait til it hurts so bad and then try to catch up. Just on the first day or two, kwim? (Actually a doctor did give me this advice once upon a time.)
I LOVE the name Bailey. Ages ago, I had a major crush on TV detective Stuart Bailey (77 Sunset Strip)-- were you even born yet? It’s good to have a canine companion to keep you company. They don’t care what you watch on TV. They’re always ready to nap. Here’s a 2-minute video to make you and Bailey smile.
My podiatrist was super cavalier about recovery. My expectation at this point is that I may need to wear flip-flops for most of next week, but by this time next week I shouldn’t need Tylenol (or anything) anymore. We’ll see how it goes, though…I’m totally fine with taking things a day at a time.
Way ahead of you.
Thanks! I’d had the name “Charlie” picked out (even for a girl), but the rescue had named her Bailey and my ex and I decided we liked that better. Little did I know it’s one of the most common dog names in the world, but it suits her.
Nope; I’m only 47.
Thanks! It’s a cute idea, but frankly it is SUPER unsafe to have a bunch of dogs loose in the back of a big van like that. I got nervous just watching that video! LOL!
I second taking pain medication BEFORE you experience pain, because it’s easier to prevent than it is to treat. Keep your feet up as much as possible.
My dad had really bad toenail fungus and couldn’t tolerate the meds available at the time, so he just went ahead and had the nails removed. Not long afterwards, my sister came for a visit and freaked out when she saw his bare foot, because she didn’t know he’d had this done. She said it looked like he’d been declawed, which he had been, sort of. His toenails were so thick, they were literally cubic in shape, had to be cut by a podiatrist, and ruined multiple pairs of shoes and socks.
Many hugs to the OP. I also understand the abnormal mammogram but won’t say any more about that.
I guess times really have changed. I had a toenail removed by my family doctor. Took him about 2 minutes start to finish. It was a regular office visit.
sigh… He was a DO who could fix your back in one visit. He had an X-ray machine and a staff that did lab samples.
I had both of mine done when I was in high school. Once the anesthetic kicked in, it wasn’t too bad, but when the doctor was sticking my toes with the hypodermic, I thought I was going to die.
I hope the technology for local anasthetics has advanced during the ensuing fifty years, Misnomer.
I was apprehensive at the sight of the needle but after the first prick it was numbed as the needle traveled in so I didn’t feel it. I asked how long it would take for the whole toe to be numbed as he reached around for the cutting tool. He immediately starting cutting before I could say anything. Clearly he’d done this before. I don’t think I could have trimmed a toenail any faster then it took for him to remove it.
I could have done without having watched it. Still gives me the willies thinking about it.
I find it rather relaxing to rip out toenails on my patients. It’s mindless, lets me chat idly with them as I wait for the digital block to kick in, they’re so grateful afterwards, and it is a wonderful change of pace from dealing with metastatic prostate cancer, congestive heart failure, HIV, HCV, and microdeckia.
Does anyone here watch Dr. Pimple Popper? Her husband loves doing this, but she just can’t do it because it squicks her out. And this is a doctor who, as Dave Barry said, has a TV show where she drains boils the size of cantaloupes.
(While I’m here, is there any way I could get the screen to stop jumping around?)
