Thank you for your well wishes re my splinter which is now an infected finger. Fortunately I could go to the Beaver Island Medical Center, which was opened in 2004 in a major celebration of a community effort. It is so critical on an island where the nearest hospital is an emergency flight away. Made possible by donations, grants, and sweat equity, it was quite an accomplishment. It's supported each year through silent auctions, raffles, golf tournaments, and other events to raise money for ongoing services. We have an LPN on the island, a full time dentist, several trained EMR specialists, and one ambulance. I hadn't planned to post this aspect of the community, but felt like they deserved it today! Shout out to LPN, Sue.
Here's what I learned from this whole mess:
Splinter Lessons
1. Even if the sky looks really interesting, when choosing between photographing or going to the medical center, if in a lot of pain, the medical center is the wiser choice (even if it is a Sunday and we’d have had to call 911).
2. Ice cream does not really do anything to ease the pain or prevent infection, as good as it might have tasted.
3. A good night’s sleep does not make a splinter come out.
4. Hydrogen peroxide is good for cleaning area, but Epson salts in hot water can get the splinter to float out (as several 365ers noted – but I’d already gone to sleep).
5. Soaking in salt water the next day is not as effective as doing it immediately.
6. A swelling hand following splinter being in finger is not a good sign.
7. Lesson learned: If a splinter is in your finger, immediately start soaking in hot salt water, preferably Epson salts. Soak 3 – 4 times a day for 20 minutes each. That will probably get it out without resorting to digging around with a needle. Denial doesn’t work! Ignoring it leads to infection and pain! (But, the photo I took instead of going to the medical center that night made it to PP... the response of the truly addicted 365er)
@anazad511 Thanks Ana. I really can't believe how dumb the whole thing was and what a pain it is now. Really did learn a lesson (starting with, don't use your hand to brush something off the deck!) @jetpics Yep -- the whole time I was there, only one person came in and that was to photograph this amazing doll house that is there for the silent auction. But when you need it, it's sooo good to have it there!
@darylo Oh gosh -- you didn't have time to plow through all that narrative!!! But thanks for the good wishes! Off to rest up right now...I just keep thinking 'one more look...' 'nite!
Just read about your trauma! Do pleased you have got it sorted now! The medical centre looks and sounds great especially living on an island. Where is Beaver Island - I will have to look it up.
@jaynspain Thanks Jayne. Went back today for further icky digging around in there, but Nutmeg and I both got ice cream as a reward (isn't Jim a nice person!).
@pamknowler Thanks for commenting Pam. Beaver Island is 33 miles northwest of the upper left hand (west) coast of Michigan. If you find Traverse City on a map and look northwest of that, you'll see a little dot. We are the largest island in the archipelago that cuts across northern Lake Michigan. Whole island is about 17 miles X 5 miles (the size of Manhattan, but with only 500 permanent residents).
@busylady Thanks for the comment re the sky. It needed some help in post processing not to look washed out. And I'm glad you could learn from my experience -- update from today -- other LPN at the medical center, when checking (and digging around--ouch!) finger, said that hydrogen peroxide also works to bring out the splinter pieces, and it disinfects where epson salts don't. So combination is best.
@annied@gerry@yaorenliu@rachelwithey@kazlamont@timandelke@paulaw Thanks for all your kind wishes and sharing in my sense of humor of the events. Elke -- loved your comment!! I love to create little stories, even if at my own expense. And it won't interfere with photography or golf, I've been assured!
@pamknowler So cool!! We're on the west side of the island, about 1/4 of the way down from the north. That's why I have easy access to sunsets. We have fun rating them (you can tell there's not a lot to do here so we have to make up our own entertainment!).
@taffy It sounds like the perfect place to live!! This is what I love about 365 - discovering places in the world which I would never see otherwise and learning about them!!
Ah denial, the photographer's best frenemy. Glad to hear that the finger is better, And very interesting to learn how the island supports the medical center.
Good information, Taffy. Splinters are easy things to ignore. I always figure they will find their way out. Guess not always! Glad it worked out for you and will not interfere with golf or photography!
@barbsmith Thanks for viewing so many of my photos today. I'm glad your computer is back up and running! I loved that turtle shot and had totally missed it.
June 16th, 2013
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@jetpics Yep -- the whole time I was there, only one person came in and that was to photograph this amazing doll house that is there for the silent auction. But when you need it, it's sooo good to have it there!