First, on Global warming, I have liked Mr. Al Gore from the beginning of his work on global warming. Now, he has updated his works and has a very positive note to share:
Secondly, Body warming…ME.
A few days ago, I went to the Anderson St. Vincent Hospital to see my Heart Dr. This was a pre-surgery check and I passed it with flying colors. He told me I was doing wonderfully in the heart department (always nice to hear).
I decided that, since I was already, at the hospital, I would go to the testing building (Erskine Center). I drove the 2 blocks over and sat in my car for a time. I know I napped a bit. I heard a noise and woke up. Looking around, I saw nothing; then I heard something louder. I shut off the engine to the car and steam began pouring from a corner of the hood. I got out and, when it had stopped steaming, I opened the hood. I went to the reservoir tank and very slowly opened the cap. Suddenly, the cap blew from my hand and I say greenish (water and anti-freeze) mixture spout up. I threw my hand up in front of my face and felt a terrible pain on my hand. I stepped away from the car and raised my hand to look at it. This, I think, allowed the hot liquid to pour down my arm. I knew I was burned, burning. I put my hand on top of the car roof (It was cold out). I decided this wasn’t enough and put my hand into the snow that was left on the trunk. I used my right hand (I am a lefty) to scoop the snow on top of my hand and wrist. Looking back, I should have ripped my coat off and put my entire left arm into the snow. As it was, my arm from my wrist to about 1/2 way to my elbow took the worst of the burn. I got my chair walker out of the back seat and began heading to the ER 2 blocks away. Within seconds I knew I couldn’t make it there and headed into the Erskine Center.
The woman at the reception desk in the test area asked me if it was raining. I said “no” and told her what happened. She gasped and said she would call 911. I told her that I did not want to pay $2000 for a 2-block trip. She said she would call security. He arrived a few minutes later and we got into the vehicle.
When we arrived at the ER, it took me, him, and the valet to get my walker back open so I could go in. They got me straight in and I began the wait. I finally saw an NP (Nurse Practitioner). I did not like the way she came across nor the way she handled the situation. I told this to a survey person that next day. Regardless, the regular nurse (who was excellent), used water to clean the area and put on a silver solution (good stuff), then dressed the wound. We made an appointment next day with my new primary physician. I was told that a burn can take 24 hours to let you know how bad it is going to be. I was told to change the dressing that evening.
Here is what I found when I took off the bandages:

KODAK Digital Still Camera

KODAK Digital Still Camera
Yeah, bad…Today, 4 days later, I have changed the dressings almost 6 times. The blisters have either ruptured or been absorbed, the burned area is larger, the color of the skin under the dead skin is very red. I feel some pain and itching. I am told that is good because no pain can mean nerve damage. It is healing. I am healing. I go to the Wound Center in Anderson on Tuesday. I will know more then, though I know they will “debris”(?) the wound – remove the skin and clean it thoroughly – that’s gonna hurt!
I am learning to use my right hand more and deal with pain even better. I was already good at that, but this raised the bar. I am still on schedule for my hip surgery soon.
Namaste,
Scott
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I have burnt my hand many times but not this much. It feels horrible. Wish you quick recovery.
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All going well. thanks.
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Scott – I hope you heal without a lot of scars and that it is 100% – and geesh – I have heard about this happening and it is startling to see your burns.
and side note – smart move to not have the ambulance come – there is a time their services are really needed – but it sounds like you can keep your cool in the midst of high stress (sorry for the bad pun)
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glad for the bad pun, love them. All is healing very nicely. See the wound center this week. I expect full recovery soon and little, if any, scaring. That silvadeen is amazing.
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🙂
oh good – and I usually love all things silver – have not heard of the one you noted – but I do know it rocks
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Poor you, Scott. What a ghastly thing to happen. That blister looks terrible and is about twenty times the size of one I had on my ankle after some frozen nitrogren treatment on a possible spider bite that became encapsulated and wouldn’t heal. Just that small blister was ouch, ouch, ouch! Once it went, I rubbed either coconut oil onto the scar every day, or aloe vera, or both. There’s no scar left now, although the doctor had told me there would be one. Take care. Healing arrows coming your way from over The Pond.
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Thank you. love the statement “over the pond”
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Hi Scott
That does look painful and annoying. Thanks for the reminder: Never open anything that is steaming. I hope it gets healed faster and it becomes less painful.
I wonder about the car…just needed additional anti-freeze.
I am glad all is going according to plan for the surgery.
Blessings! 🙂
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Evidently, I took too many liberties by doing naps in the car. The thermostat broke and the radiator fan quit or vise-versa. Fixable, as am I, and, just so people know, when I took the cap off it was not steaming. I waited for all that to stop.
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Oh my God. That looks so painful! Sending healing hopes and prayers your way!
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Thank you!
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