I would like to start off by telling everyone that I am not excessively clumsy.
I was not drinking the day when this story begins (at least not excessively).
I don’t usually jump up out of my chair to do yard work (at least not excessively).
We can now proceed.
Last Monday was a gorgeous day here in Colorado.
The sun was out, the birds were chirping and all was right with the world.
We went for a hike on a new trail.
We had a picnic lunch in the backyard.
It was such a nice day that I recommended that the boys (meaning not me) move the front porch furniture to the pergola.
I was kicking back and soaking up the rays.
After the boys made the third trip down the hill with the furniture I decided to pretend I wasn’t really lazy and help.
NOTICE….this was my grave mistake.
Never make this mistake yourself (you can thank me later).
As I was helping my husband move the furniture to the pergola I bumped hard into one of our low rose bushes.
I didn’t really think anything of it until my left leg started to really hurt a few minutes later.
When I looked down there were two pieces of wood lodged in my leg.
Serious.
I love how nothing hurts until you see it.
The first piece came out easily and the second was like a big splinter that took more work.
I thought I was going to barf. Really.
I spent the next hour icing it and keeping it up because the pain was so intense.
I actually felt like the biggest baby because it hurt so bad.
I have had three babies.
One 9lb 10oz baby, one emergency c-section and another c-section.
Come on…suck it up.
The next day Kelly left for a trip.
By the middle of the day my leg was red and hot to the touch.
I was telling a friend about it and she told me to go get it looked at right away.
I kind of blew her off and then she started talking about fevers, vomiting, infections traveling to your heart.
Great…she had to bring up dying.
Now I HAD to go to the doctor.
I can’t die from a splinter!
The shame!
With my three children in tow I head to urgent care.
(This is the first circle drawn by the urgent care Dr. to monitor the infection)
Yes, I had an infection.
Two in fact.
One of the surface and one internally.
He then proceeded to try and examine my wound.
The pain was so intense that he had to give me anesthesia shots right into the infection.
Truly not my favorite thing that has ever happened to me.
The next was even better.
He pulled out a scalpel.
I seemed confused.
Was that FOR ME?
Why yes….it was.
He then proceed to open my leg to see if I had any wood pieces left in my leg.
Let me give you a medical lesson right here.
Did you know that vegetative substances are one of the most dangerous substances to get lodged in your body.
They are full of bacteria.
Nice.
He couldn’t find anything.
With a tetanus shot and my prescription for antibiotics… I left.
I will now skip the next two hours when I am driving around down, trying to fill a prescription, no pain killer, with my kids and crying like a baby.
It was really one of my best moments.
The next day my leg looked better.
By the afternoon the infection had significantly spread.
By the next day it had even spread more
We went to the emergency room.
My leg was cut back open but this time deeper.
MRI to see if they could find the wood.
Antibiotics right into the blood stream.
I was diagnosed with Cellulitis.
Don’t talk to a nurse that knows about it.
They say things like dead tissue and amputation.
Not the best pick me up I was needing.
Give the girl a break.
Let’s talk about the new dress I just got from JCrew…come on!
By the next day the infection had continued to spread and my leg was turning YELLOW.
We went BACK to the ER.
How was I to know that yellow is good.
HOW?
I was remember the dead tissue lady.
They did give me another dose of antibiotics intravenously because it was still spreading.
(Sorry if this grosses you out. I just wanted to show the only photo I have that shows all the different times the infection spread)
1am I crawl into bed.
The next day my leg is looking really good.
Still hurts horribly because of the incision but the red is going down.
At this point I also have cankles from all of the swelling and antibiotics.
I don’t really pull off cankles very well.
Don’t you know it that hard things come when you seem to have a million things going on!
I am in the middle of an e-course, I am getting ready to leave to teach an art course in California and I have had tickets for MONTHS to take Maddy to see “Wicked”.
So, on Saturday I wrapped my leg up well, drove to Denver and we saw “Wicked”.
When she turned to me as soon as it was over and said, “Mom, that was AMAZING”.. I knew it was worth the throbbing pain inside my boots.
I pretty much hobbled to the car and we drove straight home.
The infection is going away and I have no idea what my leg will end up looking like
I will be wearing a bandage for awhile and I have an appointment this week with an infectious disease Dr.
Can you even believe it?
Splinters.
From a rose bush.
1. Those rose bushes are getting yanked out ASAP
2. I don’t ever want roses as a gift again
3. Yard work is dangerous and I will be staying away.
Please tell me that your past 7 days were better than mine.
Please!
I do still have my leg and that is a HUGE plus:-)
Cankles and all.
God have mercy! You poor thing! You’ve really been through it. You have my deepest sympathy and prayers for complete healing. Although I have no idea what ‘cankles’ are… 0.o
P.S. Wicked good pic of you and your daughter… 🙂
My goodness…who would have guessed something like that could happen from a rosebush! So so glad you are better after that ordeal! Take care of that leg. Will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers that it all comes out fine for you Jeanne.
OUCH! I had a similar ‘freak’ accident a few months ago–and I felt like an idiot! I ended up having surgery on my foot and was off my feet or hopping around for a month! It happens! But it made me so thankful that normally I am not so accident prone and can walk around on two healthy feet–most of the time!
Take care! So glad you were able to still go out with your daughter! : )
xx!
Ouch, glad you are better! Cellulitis is a mean infection, and good thing you got it treated. I like your list and wholeheartedly agree that yardwork should be crossed off your list of chores. Next time- wear jeans!!
So sorry Jeanne. I have always liked roses but not so sure now. I have a little toddler who gets into everything. Maybe I’ll stick to my irises! I hope you are feeling better soon. I am so glad that you got it looked at when you did. Lots of prayers going your way for a speedy recovery!
Oh Jeanne! OUCH!!! Thank goodness you are on the road to recovery! What an ordeal…This week has just GOT to be better.
~Kris
jeanne, I hope your leg stops throbbing and you get better asap
For reals!! When did we talk last?!!!
P.S. Holy hair
So sorry that you’re in pain…but you two look gorgeous!!!
OH you poor thing… OUCHY YUCKY. I am happy to hear you are on the mend. AND the next time something hurts that bad get it checked…red with hear…get it checked…PLEASE!!! Pleas take care of yourself and stay away from the thorns in your life:)
woman!!!! that is disgusting & awful & so inconvenient!!
i must confess that i did laugh at you.
not the injury part of course. i’m a professional real life nurse. i would never do that.
i did however laugh at your dialogue. hysterical despite the pain.
atta girl!
love that you were reppin noonday on your big wicked day. looking good!!
hope you’re all back to 100%
boo hiss on splinters
oxo
You should be very, VERY thankful you are OK. The exact same thing happened to my Uncle. Only he stayed in the hospital for WEEKS. He ended up with a horrible infection called Sepsis. And ended up losing his LEG. He now walks on a prosthetic. For reals. You are blessed.
Oh dear Jeanne, you have ALL my sympathy. Ouch ouch ouch ouch!! Isn’t it nuts the crazy things that can happen?! I am happy you are on the road to recovery!! Hugs!!
Yikes! Who knew? So glad your feeling better.
Oh Jeanne,
You poor thing!!~ I know it seems absolutely crazy about the rose bush, but having a nursing background, I know some of the crazy things that could seriously make you sick and it would blow your mind!
I pray that you continue to get better and heal!
And how awesome are you to still take your daughter to see Wicked!!
Hope you have a lovely week!!
Sincerely,
Melinda
Oh Jeanne!
I am so sorry to hear of how horrible your week was. I am sending out big doses of prayers and hugs to you dear!!
But you really still did look beautiful with your daughter!!
XXOO
Priscilla
Jeanne,
I read this on your facebook.I hope you are feeling better today.And I thought I had rotten lucky.Honestly sounds like something that would happen to me.I don’t blame you for hating roses.I would too if that happened to me.You are sweet to take her to wicked.I hope you go back and enjoy the play yourself next time.It really is good.But I know you were doing it for your daughter (sweet).But you have to go again to enjoy it too.
Hugs,
Anne
Oooooh, Jeanne! I am so sorry that this happened! So painful, all of it. Who knew that a rose bush could be practically demonic? Cellulitis is absolutely no fun at all. I hope you and your leg are feeling better and better from now on. Oh, Jeanne. Ah!
I got cellulitis last September from, get this…a bug bite. It got infected and I went to the doctor and got antibiotics. The next day I drove 5 hours to see my new niece at the hospital and as I was leaving to drive home, I started to get lightheaded and dizzy. When I looked at my leg, the redness that had gone away had spread down my whole leg. So I went back to the hospital to the ER and waited for 7+!!! hours to get an IV of antibiotics and a prescription for more pills. A week later, I got a rash all over my body because it turns out that I am allergic to those particular antibiotics. I felt like such a wuss. It could have at least been a cool story…I was mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, etc. and got an infection and had to go to the hospital. Not just I got a bug bite and had to go to the hospital.
Wow, just wow…sending you my hugs & kisses!!!
xoxo
Wow all that from helping-it sounds like something I would do. I am so glad you are okay…I did chuckle though because it reminds me of that episode of Little House on the Prairie when Ma gets that horrible gash and pretty much the same things happen. You are a modern day Ma Ingalls!! stay healthy!!
So sorry you went through this! I do know someone else that almost lost her leg after having a splinter in her calf. It just seems so weird doesn’t it? But, sounds like you are on the mend and hope it heals quickly. Take care.
~~~God bless~~~ Things like this really bring perspective to ones life. Thank you for sharing your courage.
I too had a close call. While vacationing in Hawaii cut my foot on coral, stitches, infection. Came home, saw a foot specialist who did 4 hrs. surgery right then and there while I watched. Told me infection was so bad he might have to amputate 3 of my toes & part of my foot. Scared I was. Took me about 6 months p/t & a year to heal. I look back & that was a turning point in my life. I’ve become more appreciative of what I have and I treat myself better for it.
i don’t think cankles are a good look for any of us. can any of us “pull them off”??=) it is unbelievable to me, how this started, what you’ve had to go though, and where you are right now. so thankful for all the care you have had. hope today it is feeling even better than yesterday. talk with you soon!
Oh my…ouch! So sorry…thankful the infection is gone. Praying you are better soon and able to sit and take a deep breath while sitting under the pergola.
poor jeanne. I can totally see this happening to me as well. But glad you still made it to wicked. Oh, and thanks for the visuals! I’m putting away the chips now. You just saved me some serious calories. I guess I owe you. 😉
This is QUITE a story, and one you will be able to tell for a long time. Those photos of your legs with the various markings — kodak moment.
Not being an outdoor girl, I would have blown it off too, until the pain began. Then I would have blown it off again!!! So I am proud of you for taking action as quickly as you did and thankful to you for posting about it. Now I will be extra careful in the unlikely event that something like this happens to me! Prayers for speedy healing!! Big hugs too!
At first I thought this must surely be a joke…you are so funny in the telling. But then the photos and the story went on – OH MY GOSH…..I would have passed out – you are amazing and I’m so grateful you took your friend seriously and went to see about it. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE!!! Just in case it cheers you up, the class is AMAZING and I’m loving it more than I ever dreamed possible. Thank you for putting so much of yourself in the class and the blog.
i almost started to weave a little looking at the gash.
hopefully juicing has helped you heal faster 🙂 i’m thinkin
Jeanne,
So sorry to hear about this! Well wishes to you. You look awesome for having been through all that!! BTW, I have “cankles” even without an infection!
Get better soon and thanks for all you do!
Oh, my!!! I can’t believe that roses could do something like that! Hoping you are getting back to normal.
While in NY a few weeks ago, my daughter, mom and I went to see Wicked. Loved it so much! So glad you had a great time with your daughter.
OH MY LORD!!! Who would have thought that a rose bush could do that. You poor, poor thing. SO glad to hear that you’re doing better. x
Oh dear Jeanne, I’m so sorry! It reads so not nice! I wish you much strength and all the best! Hopefully you’ll recover quickly! I am sending you a lot of lovely and sunny greetings from Austria! Maria
I am in shock, but not disbelief!!! I think we might be long lost sisters born under the same lucky star…no kidding! haha.. This is the type of stuff that happens to me and my family all the time!! Thank goodness your healing so well!!!! Hope your birthday celebrations helped you to forget some of the pain…