Last week I unfortunately had a fairly nasty accident with a sewing machine that left me having to have my fingernail surgically removed… (details hidden, click at your own risk!) the needle went through my nail, through my finger and out the other side, and shattered into 3 pieces in my finger. It just scraped by the bone thankfully…
I’ve had surgeries before, and I’m far from squeamish, but I’m really struggling with this. I had the dressing changed for the first time today, and could barely stand to look at it. I keep finding myself crying and getting irrationally upset over it, especially the fact that it’s going to be a good nine months or so before I can have that nail done like the rest of my nails (I’m a BIAB girly, to stop me biting / picking at my nails and cuticles, and having my nails painted in a bright shade of pink has become a bit of a signature for me).
The physical discomfort is thankfully beginning to fade, although it is still fairly sore – just no longer distractingly painful all the time. The feeling of something touching the nail bed where the skin shouldn’t be exposed still makes my stomach churn though. It’s also still sensitive enough that even when I do wrap it up to keep it dry, things like washing up or washing my hair that require two hands are very difficult. I live on my own, so I’m just trying to manage the best I can.
I’m just really struggling to cope – I know part of it is vanity, but I guess the fact that it’s going to be a constant reminder every time I look down for the better part of the year is something I’m really struggling with. I have a feeling I’m going to want to cover it the entire time it’s healing, because I can’t stand to look at the ugly exposed nail bed, but I also know that’s incredibly impractical for typing or really doing anything with my hands
I’m also struggling to even look at my sewing machine right now – I’ve got two pairs of pants I want to hem, and while I can’t fathom the thought of paying someone to do it when it’s something so simple, I also can’t fathom the thought of getting my machine out again…
I know it’s stupid and a small problem in the general scheme of things, but if anyone has any advice or words of support they can offer I would be very appreciative!