Warning: couple of graphic photos posted below. Skip this post if you are squeamish.
The short story: immersion hand blender + distracted person = whirring blender blade embedded in index finger.
After more than 3 hours, 2 ambulance rides, 2 hospitals, multiple unsuccessful removal attempts by a variety of medical personnel, and a near-amputation, success!
Cost:
Private hospital visit: 300 quetzales (about $39)
Two ambulance rides: free
Three x-rays: free
Local anesthesia, surgical services, shot of anti-inflammatory/pain medicine, sutures at Sololá hospital: free
Bus ride back to Panajachel for Ava, Evelyn, and me: 9 quetzales (about $1.17)
Tetanus shot at public health center: free
Antibiotics from pharmacy: 130 quetzales (about $17)
Gauze from pharmacy: 8 quetzales (about $1)
Tape from pharmacy: 10 quetzales (about $1.30)
Percocet (no prescription needed!) from pharmacy: 129 quetzales (about $16.50)
Total: about $76
 |
| Waiting for the ambulance in my pajamas |
 |
| The injury |
 |
| Close-up |
 |
| Ambulance ride |
 |
| Reassuring hands on my shoulder |
 |
| The bomberos talk to hospital staff while I try to cover up the hand-blender to avoid scaring the other patients. |
 |
| Success at hospital number two! |
 |
| Happy to have my finger, but really needing a shower and shampoo |
 |
| My index finger is bent into this blender, but the metal of the blender prevents a good view. |
 |
| The blender accessory has been removed--no visible fracture. |
 |
| It's still attached! |
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the people who helped me!
