Hello, All, Well, it clearly isn't going to be an amazingly quick recovery... DRAT! 10 days later, things look, ---and feel,--- better than a week ago, but still... I'm going to record some of the nitty-gritty to satisfy your curiosity and answer a few questions I've had from some of you. I surely don't recommend your having first-hand experience! (And, yes, the grass has been mowed! . THE HIGH GRASS HIDEAWAY OF MR. SNAKE-IN-THE-GRASS
FIRST STOP, MENA REGIONAL HOSPITAL According to what we were told, our local hospital normally has 4 units of anti-venom on hand. However, we were left to infer that it had been a bad week for snakebite, and we were told that they had none this evening. They were in touch with the Poison Control Center (in Atlanta, I think, whatever its acronym is...). On their advice, 5 hours after the bite, I had my first ambulance ride to St Vincent CHI in Hot Springs....good job! Liberty EMS. Once there, another mark was made on my leg, indicating the extent of the swelling, and observation continued. By now, several people had warned me that the response to the anti-venom was quite unpredictable, and there could be serious and long-lasting side effects. I don't remember the specifics just now, but I didn't like the sound of it. Part of the problem may have been that I never saw the serpent; I couldn't say definitely that it had been a copperhead, although that was the most likely culprit. If they had put together a generic anti-venom, it was obvious that I would receive a dose of venoms not necessarily related to what I needed. By now, I had had antibiotics and pain medicines, and I wasn't inclined to deliberately introduce more venom into my body unless someone convinced me it was clearly needed. So, we continued to observe while checking blood pressure and blood chemistry every few hours. By mid-day Sat. the swelling had stopped just below the knee, but the blood coagulation factor was still messed up. That sorted itself out overnight, and by noon Sun, we were cleared to head for home again. The whole thing has been more "colorful" than I expected. The toes are still tinged with black, while the top of the foot is red and swollen. The unexpected surprise has been the sickly yellow-green "bruise" on the leg, up to the knee and beyond. That is related to the muscle involvement, all the way up to the gluts, which feel sore, as though I had done some heavy, unusual exercise.
Last week we celebrated the appearance of tiny wrinkles on the foot. Who would have guessed that wrinkles would be a good thing?? But they are proof positive that the swelling is slightly less. And, this week, I can detect where the large vein that crosses the top of the foot will appear in a few more days. Progress... Here's a laugh...the release papers from the hospital indicated I should do "activity as tolerated"---- which translates to, "if it hurts too much, don't do it, dummy!" But it is a two edged sword. The muscle soreness is made better by movement and circulation. The swelling, on the other hand, benefits from keeping the foot propped on a pillow in bed. So, I'm doing some of both. I did as I challenged myself and basically stayed in bed for a week. (2 books read aloud for Marv and me together, and another 2 1/2 for me. Thank goodness I can use the computer! Heaven help us if that were not the case.) We also plowed thru a huge box of mail accumulated while we were gone. MOSTLY JUNK MAIL!
I've also been doing more texting than usual. Remember my tirades about having no phone service in the East? I had conveniently forgotten that we have the same situation here at Crystal Creek. We're "down in the holler", and get AT&T only because we have put a booster antenna on the roof. We discovered this week that the booster isn't strong enough to push the signal into the bedroom. I can text, but not talk....talk works sometimes, but is not reliable. I'm lobbying for the stronger booster in the future. I now have two "nesting" areas, one in the bedroom and the other at the kitchen dinette. Then, after a week in bed, I grabbed my walker and, with Marvin's help, ventured out to an appointment with our family doctor. He confirmed that there really wasn't anything to be done, but that I shouldn't expect any long-term consequences. I just have to tough-it-out and give it every opportunity to re-absorb and heal, however long that may take. ADDING INSULT TO INJURY... The Dr also confirmed my self-diagnosis of psoraisis,--- what I had first regarded as a severe heat rash. On our trip, we had traveled through some days of extreme heat paired with extreme humidity. My main concern those days, though, was to ensure that Marvin stayed hydrated, with constant drinks to replenish his electrolytes, etc. Now, however, the intense itching on arms, legs, chest and back were adding insult to injury. It was an extra layer of misery I didn't need. Dr. Lachala's recommended Cortizone-10 is taming the itching and scratching, somewhat, which is a big relief. So, obviously my exercise and Line Dancing classes (started this week) are on hold for a while, but, I can pick up other things if I want to do them badly enough,(and if Marv is available to drive for me.) He is adapting wonderfully to the present situation where his job is looking after me, preparing meals, fetching and carrying, and ignoring any whining that slips out. He's a KEEPER. I can say that with absolute certainty, as yesterday (Aug 29th) was our 57th wedding anniversary---forever and ever, Amen! ...a good day to think back and remember. And, My Word, what an UNUSUAL Life it has been! Cheers,
