thumb smashing 101

So Friday last week I finally took W to see the dr about that smashed thumb. Why did I wait? Well, it didn't seem all that serious, and Jared was sure he'd be fine soon, and I haven't had to deal w/a smashed digit before. However, some things I have learned:

• too much pressure for too long under the nail, and you'll lose that nail
• you can prevent or postpone the loss of a nail by going to the dr's office and letting them melt a tiny hole in the nail, releasing the blood (and the pressure)
• releasing said pressure removes pain
• NOT releasing pressure causes nerves to be pinched, loss of feeling in that digit, possible tissue damage; infection and/or gangrene (in extreme cases) can set in
• when digit has been swollen for a week, not healing, there's a good chance of a fracture in that digit.

Luckily, W's thumb was not fractured or broken, which fact amazed both the nurse and dr who saw him. There was a lot of blood pooled under his nail, though. When the dr melted that tiny hole, the blood was under such pressure that it squirted out- about 2 teaspoons' worth of blood! Yechy. And he's on an antibiotic for 5 days to prevent any infection from occurring.

I have a new nephew- Nate & Caitlin had a baby boy on Sunday, named him Saxon Nathan after his daddy. Haven't seen him yet, but will probably go up this week or next to get acquainted.

And there are 6 days until school starts. 5 1/2 weeks until baby comes. Whew!

j