Warning! If you are grossed out by feet, toes or medical conditions, do not read further!
Posted by Kristy: I am extremely disturbed and have been since about 3:50 yesterday afternoon. Two months ago, I developed soreness and a slight discoloration in my left big toe. Being the owner of two Labradors weighing 70 and 90 pounds, I attributed the discomfort to being stepped on by the dogs. It happens… frequently… especially when they’re fired up about chuck-it, dinner, and the neighbor’s ducks. A couple weeks later, the soreness persisted and was accompanied by swelling around the cuticle and a slight discharge which was yellow in color. I complained about the new developments and attempted treating myself with Epsom salt soaks and pressure irrigation. After several days of complaining, I visited one of the physicians at the local medical clinic. Doctor Wilner gave me a prescription for antibiotics and a diagnosis: paryonychia. (Admittedly, I was super stoked to learn a new medical term!) Three weeks, several visits, different antibiotics and one stumped doctor later, I got referred to a specialist with a glowing recommendation from my doctor, “He’s new around here and needs something to do.”
Thus, I found myself sitting in the cheery office of Rock Canyon Foot and Ankle Clinic filling out new patient forms and hoping for some relief. I should have realized the impending storm clouds over the mountains were a metaphor for what would occur that day. Dr. Christiansen appeared and introduced himself, “Hi. I’m Cade. What seems to be the problem?” After recounting my signs and symptoms, Dr. Christiansen launched into an explanation of the different treatment options. He discussed methods for evaluating the infection and how he might have to remove my toenail! The doctor explained that the nail, if it were removed, would grow back in 8 – 10 months with a slight chance of being deformed.
Of course, I assumed that this process would take “normal doctor time”. Meaning, I thought that he would do an initial assessment and then schedule another visit for any necessary slicing and dicing. I’m sure you can imagine my surprise when Dr. Christiansen began selecting menacing looking tools and the assistant marched in with release forms for me to sign! Sure enough, the doctor slipped on some gloves, grabbed some cold spray and started numbing the toe.
I learned that, despite being completely numb, watching someone remove any of my body parts (regardless of how inconsequential they may be) upsets me tremendously. Thankfully, Dr. Christiansen was ready to offer consoling words:
“Hmmmm… this toenail is completely loose on one side.”
“That is quite an odor, this should completely take care of the infection.”
“There’s the nail. Would you like to keep it?”
“Usually, people say that the pain from this procedure is much less than what you had from the toenail itself. But wait, you said that yours didn’t really hurt. I guess this WILL feel worse…”
Half an hour from my appointment time, I was on my way out the door sporting my Chacos and some royal blue Vet-Wrap. (Dr. Christiansen told me that weenies wear flesh-colored wrap.) Despite his generous offer, the removed toenail did not come home with me in a ziplock bag.
PS Keri advised me to post this story – so long as I did not include surgery photos.
PPS Andy has also been extremely supportive:
“I had that same procedure when I was 12 years old and I put my own shoes on and ran home from the doctor.”
“You know, toenails are completely extraneous. You really don’t need them.”
Andy, thanks for helping me with the bandaging – especially when I’m too chicken to rip off the gauze that has bonded with the skin.
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