Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Real problems

So you know the whole kids cutting their own hair thing?
And when your hair just does NOT go and you really need a haircut like last week?
And when you have a baby pooch that will not go away cause there's a gap between your abdominal muscles?
And when cleaning your house is like shoveling in a snowstorm cause you have 2 kids?

These are not real problems.

I had a real problem on Saturday night. I had just spent a lovely day watching conference and had to go to work. Well, I went to ICU again (seems like this place and I do not agree at times). I wasn't as stressed this time, I've gone enough to be more comfortable. But I went in to give one of my patients a shot and the worst possible thing ever happened. When I gave her the shot, the needle went through her skin on both sides and pricked my thumb. This particular person was hepatitis C positive and unknown with HIV.

This had never happened to me before. I absolutely panicked! The house supervisor gave me a packet on HIV and hepatitis. I started skimming through the words....treatment with immunoglobulin....possibly fatal....testing for 6 months....do not donate blood or breastfeed....

I had to go to the ER to have my blood drawn and the patient's blood had to be drawn to test for HIV. I was able to hold myself together until I called Nate on the phone. The second I heard his voice I burst into tears. What if I now had HIV? What if I had to stop nursing my baby? What if I get my whole family infected? What if I DIE because of my own stupid mistake?

Nate offered to come up, and I told him no. He showed up anyway, and I was really glad. I couldn't stop crying until he was there with me.

The doctor saw me, and relieved a lot of my worries. Apparently this happens a lot, and I shouldn't beat myself up over it. She said even if the patient HAD HIV, my chances of getting it were like 3 in 1000. Plus I barely nicked myself, and it was a tiny needle that never came in contact with the patient's vein or artery.

To make a long story short, the test came back that the patient did NOT have HIV. THANK GOODNESS. As far as the hepatitis, my blood was negative for it, and I should find out tomorrow if I am at low enough risk to continue breast feeding. The worst that can happen is that I may be forced to stop breast feeding as a precaution and retest in a few months. I love nursing my baby, but I would stop in a heartbeat to protect her. So please everyone pray that I don't have to stop nursing my sweet baby!

SO, the good things that came out of this experience are: 1. I have gained a new appreciation for my health and for the time being can see past all the trivial things I was worrying about hours before this happened and 2. Kaylee got to help feed Brenna a bottle (previously stored breast milk) and loved it!

18 comments:

Kyle and Reesie said...

Oh Sarah! That is so scary, I am glad that everything is looking up though. I had a needle stick right before I left work, and it freaked me out! I had the same feelings,...luckily everything was negative. I hope you can keep nursing your sweet baby, let me know how everything works out. I will pray for you!

Pieces of Us said...

That would be so scary! At least the patient didn't have HIV. I'm with you, I love nursing Beckam and would hate to have to give that up. Sad =(

Kaylee looks so happy in the pictures where she's feeding Brenna. I'm excited for Beckam to be the older brother, but it can still wait a while. haha

Devyn said...

that is awful. im sure everything is going to be just fine though. i will pray for you for sure!! its awful when you have to stop breast feeding before you want to.. i know because i had to stop with jaxon cuz i got pregnant. everything will work out ok though no matter what!

Chaleese said...

Sarah, Oh my goodness! I am so sorry you have been going threw all of that! That is so scary! I am so so glad everything came back negative! I hope you can still breastfeed, but if not it will be ok! Oh I wish I could give you hug.

Jones Family said...

Wow Sarah that is scary! I am glad everything worked out! I would be way upset over that too, cause you never know! Its funny how things like that can totally make you appreciate the little things in our everyday lives huh? At least some good came out of it :)

Shannon Masayo said...

SARAH! Thank goodness no HIV, how scary, And I will pray for you sweetheart. Keep your chin up, and thank you I will now not get to frustrated when i try to clean my house. :)

nixon5 said...

Scary. You are such a super mom and wife. I would of panicked too. I am glad that it turned out ok and hope you can still nurse your cute little baby. Good luck. I will be thinkin of you.

I am glad that you like the popcorn and m&ms Yummy.

Heidi said...

Ah Sarah I'm glad everything is ok. You're one tough chick. Also - you are such a wonderful writer - I love to read your blogs because your writing is so good and witty.

Kami said...

Wow, that is way scary. I am glad you are okay. I will keep you in my prayers and please let me know if I can do anything! Love you!

Jennifer said...

Sarah the same thing happened to me with a lovenox shot. I was trying to show a nursing student how to activate the safety and it flipped out of my hand and pricked my thumb. I was really scared and felt so stupid. Luckily everything turned out ok and I'm sure it will with you too!

Brett and Megan said...

Oh my gosh Sarah, that is so scary! That truely is a real problem! I am so glad everything worked out though. And like everyone else has been saying, I will pray for you! Love ya!

Mark and Kristen said...

The things we go through to take care of some of these people!! That patient was probably combative with a jerk of a doctor and a clogged feeding tube. Why do we do this again? I know. I had my ICU orientation yesterday. Here we go!

Gary and Jenessa said...

Oh my goodness Sarah! I would have had a panick attack! There is no way I could have kept my compsure! I am am so glad you don't have to worry about the HIV, but I most definitely will pray for you! Let us know what happens. I hope you can keep nursing your little doll!

Unknown said...

That is so so scary! I work at a dentist office and I am so paranoid about that! I hope everything turns out good!

Niels and Kayla said...

Oh Sarah! Oh my gosh, that is so horrible...i will keep you in my prayers :) Kaylee looks so cute feeding Brenna!

Megan said...

Oh my goodness! That is way scary, I would totally be freaking out too. I hope everything works out and you dont have to stop nursing. I'll keep you in my prayers. Thats nice you have a little helper around to help you feed Brenna, Kaylee is so darling.

Shalese and Cody said...

Hey Sarah! This is the first time seeing your blog and it is so beautiful. It's done very well. I'm so glad that everything is okay with that whole situation. I'm glad your okay and we will pray for you. just wanted to say hi and hope all is well. Your girls are so cute! Allison tells me how great a mom you are and I'm sure that's the truth.

Tigersue said...

I'm sorry to hear about that. I have been there, in a different sort of way. I was helping a nurse place a pic line. She placed the needle back into the box next to something I need to pick up to help her secure the line for the placement x-ray. Guess who got stuck?

Take care!