Ok, I know, I get the Darwin Award for the year...

[carolyn]

I was out with a climbing friend of mine to see a band and have some cocktails this last friday. I was a tad intoxicated. In the parking ramp we went up the escalators. He asked if I had ever tried going up the down escalator. No! But sounds like fun....

 

Until the fall. Even then it was fun. It didnt even dawn on me to just let it take me down and go back up the right way. I HAD to finish.

 

I ended with an entire pant leg soaked with blood from a small cut. It took a while to stop the bleeding. The next day I couldnt move my knee. It was VERY swollen. I wound up in urgent care cause I couldnt remember if this was the knee cap I cracked years ago. Nothing broken. Just bruised and some fluid. RICE.

I also had to get a tetanus shot.

 

Today I cant lift my fricken arm. It hurts just to type this.

 

But my knee.... Its still super swollen, but also VERY hot (which is new today). I dont have insurance, but some assistance for medical expenses. The places I CAN call no longer have nurse lines and wont tell me if it is a sign of healing or infection. They just tell me to come back in if Im concerned. I dont want to waste time/money just to find out its "healing". I also dont want to wait if its an infection because I would like to climb this summer.

Does anyone know?

 

Thanks. Hope I provided you with a damn good laugh.

(I cant believe Im even posting this

 

Carolyn

[mkporwit]

you can examine the fluid discharge from the wound -- if it is cloudy and has a foul smell, it may be an infection. If you look in any first aid book you can see about how to treat different wound types in the field -- whether they require regular irrigation, what type of dressing, etc...

Edited June 3, 2008 by mkporwit

[builder206]

Sounds serious. Also sounds like you already know it.

[mkporwit]

Also, when you say you can't lift your arm -- was that the same arm that got the tetanus shot? If so, that's a somewhat common side effect of the shot -- my last one left me with a dull ache in my left shoulder for a few days...

[builder206]

Carolyn, send me your climbing gear. I don't know how to put this...but...you won't be needing it much longer.

[carolyn]

Ya, trade in my climbing gear for some better shoes than crocs to run up escalators! What a dumb ass I am!

 

The wound appears to be a puncture and a few scrapes. It was still shedding a little blood at the urgent care but they didnt feel stitches were necessary. The wound/cut itself doesnt seem to be what is hot or infected. Its the entire knee cap and some of the surrounding swollen area.

 

And its the tetanus shot that made my arm sore. It was sore yesterday, but worse today. I understand it takes a few days. Just sucks.

 

To add insult to injury I just called work to tell them I couldnt be there for a mandatory meeting they scheduled three days ago. Heck Ive been there 14yrs bartending. I think Im fully aware of liquor laws/liability. I was told I was on the 'to be fired list' and 'irresponsible for not coming in'. Guess I should accept those drs notes when offered. *sigh*

 

 

[builder206]

I was told I was on the 'to be fired list' and 'irresponsible for not coming in'.

 

That sucks! What a'holes! Why work for them? You're badly injured, that's a fact.

 

I hope all this works out for you O.K.

[Crillz]

You also could probably tell if you have an infection by taking your temperature. Monitor it for a day or two.

 

Anything that is swollen is going to be a little hot, depends on the injury and the person.

[layton]

if there swelling or redness spread, or there is any sign of streaking or if you get any flu-like symptoms go to the hospital this second regardless of money...just ask Porter.

[carolyn]

Thanks,

I found out I have free care until the end of the month through the county hospital and its clinics. So, I went to the dr to make sure its not infected.

 

The dr didnt feel it showed signs of infection. He saw something on the xray that didnt look right but wasnt sure what it could be. He thought maybe it could have been a seam in my pants. I think thats strange that my seams didnt show up elsewhere, though.

 

we both went "eeeew" when he first started to exam the knee. I asked if he felt that (the crunchiness). He asked if I HEARD it?! Yucky. He moved it a few ways that caused me to jump and yell. This caught us both by surpise. He wasnt sure why that caused it caused so much pain in the upper right of the patella and lingering to the side. He noticed some popping with the meniscus, but thought it might be related to wear and tear.

 

They gave me a knee immobilizer and told me not to use my leg for a week. If its still painful, swollen, cant bend it well, etc then he wants me in for an MRI.

 

When I picked up my immobilizer at another clinic it was suggested I come in and see a sports medicine dr next week just to follow up, considering the red flags. The dr I saw was just a general practitioner. He felt I wouldnt be able to climb for a month (TR or following). He suggested it would be longer before I lead in case of it giving out or popping.

 

Sucky!

 

carolyn

[builder206]

Thanks for posting the update. Knees are tricky, baby it.

 

I am sure I will start all sorts of catcalls, but get a bottle of cod liver oil (you can get it flavored) and take 2 teaspoons a day in food. I think it helps the joints. Some studies back me up. The best brands (most pure) are Nordic Naturals and Carlson's.

 

Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that is also a good pain reliever. I think it is bad to take it for a long time, however.

[carolyn]

Okay - I do have a question about the immobilizer.

 

I wasnt really fitted by someone who knew how to use it (thats whatcha get when its free).

 

Ive noticed it is having a hard time staying up. It slides down just enough to hit the painful part. If I cinch it up much more it cuts off circulation. I wonder if its too big. As big and obnoxious as it is, I definately feel a bit of support that I cant seem to offer myself w/o it. The knee feels better when its on.

 

I do have naproxen. It makes me sleepy, so I can only take it when Im home. Im way sensitive to medicine, so I stick with the minimal pain relief.

 

I will look into the cod liver oil.

Thanks!

[pindude]

Carolyn,

Sorry to hear. I know nothing about immobilizers, but more importantly think you may need another opinion by a specialist.

 

I understand you're working within your county medical system. Even though your GP may be doing his best, I think you really need to be seen by a specialist: an orthopedist, preferably one who specializes further in knees. Any way you can get a referral to one? Experience and knowledge, and the ability to diagnose, varies greatly by doc's. I may be overreacting, but I'm troubled by your GP's inability to interpret your X-Ray. I'm also surprised he didn't make a referral or at least consult with a second MD if he couldn't read it.

 

While I myself know no more than basic first aid, I'm grateful I'm surrounded in my immediate and greater family by a bunch of health pros: while our health care system is royally screwed up, at least when I or my immediate family have needed it, we've been able to find the best specialist to receive the best possible care here in the Pacific NW.

 

I know the Twin Cities area is renowned for it's health care as well. Good luck with it all.

[Ken_p]

Sorry, but you can only get honorable mention if you are still breathing. Dead fuckers earn the award. Good job on not earning it.

[rmncwrtr]

Hugs, Carolyn! Not a doctor, but a mom, and that mommy instinct's saying "Second opinion please." Swelling can have an effect with xrays, at least that happened in one situation I know of where they wanted to wait for the swelling to go down before taking one, but thinking something "that didn't look right" might be the seam of your pants sounds very strange.

 

And at least out here in the PDX metro area, x-rays taken at doctor's offices and urgent care places are later reviewed by a radiologist to make sure nothing was missed by the doctor since they aren't specialists. Can you call the place you had the x-ray done at and ask if a radiologist had or was going to look at the x-ray? And if not, request it be done.

 

[sk]

Hugs, Carolyn! Not a doctor, but a mom, and that mommy instinct's saying "Second opinion please." Swelling can have an effect with xrays, at least that happened in one situation I know of where they wanted to wait for the swelling to go down before taking one, but thinking something "that didn't look right" might be the seam of your pants sounds very strange.

 

And at least out here in the PDX metro area, x-rays taken at doctor's offices and urgent care places are later reviewed by a radiologist to make sure nothing was missed by the doctor since they aren't specialists. Can you call the place you had the x-ray done at and ask if a radiologist had or was going to look at the x-ray? And if not, request it be done.

 

I second the mom advice C. better safe than sorry, especially with knees.

[Denizen]

if it is within your free health care and/or budget to have an MRI, do it. x-rays don't pick up soft tissue damage to the acl, mcl, or meniscus. good luck getting back on the rock!

[carolyn]

I had to go back to the dr today to try and get refitted for a stabilizer. No go. Nothing different, so I guess I cant use it. I set the next free apt with a sports medicine specialist in the clinic - next thursday. I imagine we will do an MRI at that point. In the meantime I have about 5 days off, so I will rest and try to recover. Maybe it will magically improve. The hardest part of this is (other than how I did it), the fact that it is the right leg, making it very difficult to drive and get things done (incl dr appts). I physically CANT drive around looking for a stabilizer, the right dr, etc.

 

I went to work tonight at the bar and was told to go home when they saw me on crutches. Shit! I call in because I CANT get their (on crutches, pain meds, etc) and Im told Im irresponsible. I come in on crutches with a drs note excusing me from Monday's meeting, but allowing me (with accomodations) to work tonight and I get in trouble for coming in and not calling in sick. I spoke with the top manager and he laughed that I even brought in a dr's note (I didnt need it nor did I need to be at the meeting). I expressed concern that I may lose future shifts (reprecussions) but he told me not to worry about it. Still shitty to have to deal with the whole situation. I dont know why they hire people to be managers when they dont have people skills. I literally celebrate 14 years to the date of working there tonight. *sigh*

 

Looking forward to lots of rest and a healing knee this next week.

 

Carolyn

[sobo]

Sorry, but you can only get honorable mention if you are still breathing. Dead fuckers earn the award. Good job on not earning it.

Have to agree with Ken here, carolyn. Good job on not winning the DA.

 

Bummer way to celebrate your 14th anniversary. At least you can curl up with Latte and keep her company, and she you. Hugz, gurl. :kisss:

[billcoe]

Hope I provided you with a damn good laugh.

(I cant believe Im even posting this

 

Carolyn

 

Well it was funny when you were talkin' riding the escalator backasswards on your face and it stayed funny till you started talkin' about how bad your arm is: then it wasn't funny anymore - Ouch.

 

Then it got funny again when Builder solicited your climbing gear.

 

Then it got sad when I started thinking of your asshole employer, sounds like it's time to get a good employer, bet you can get more money AND healthcare with the next one if you're careful: anyhow, good luck with all the medical stuff too.

[builder206]

Given some of her other posts, now I feel guilty for making light of it.

 

All the best to you, Carolyn (and Latte).

[billcoe]

Given some of her other posts, now I feel guilty for making light of it.

 

All the best to you, Carolyn (and Latte).

 

What he said: but if he doesn't want your gear send it to me, I can live with the guilt!

[builder206]

Feelin' the love here on cc.com

[carolyn]

Given some of her other posts, now I feel guilty for making light of it.

 

All the best to you, Carolyn (and Latte).

 

Ahhh, no worries here!

Im so injury prone Im used to this shit all too well. It always gets better.

 

This is just going to offer me a little more time to hang with the cat, enjoy the patio garden I started a few weeks ago, and keep at my state rep and senator so we can write a particular bill that I think needs to be introduced to lawmakers next session.

 

I recently bought an atlas and started mapping out my year long road trip. Maybe I will post the general route and start getting feedback/suggestions.

 

One good thing about a leg injury is that you CAN still do pull ups, hand exercises, some core training, and stretches. Its a lot harder when its and arm or shoulder to stay in climbing shape (I think).

 

Carolyn

 

 

[sobo]

...I recently bought an atlas and started mapping out my year long road trip. Maybe I will post the general route and start getting feedback/suggestions.

Avoid the Middle East and the 'stans... those countries change names every few months so your atlas will be useless in that regard.