Hepatitis C: Positive Vibes requested

[Max Gosey]

I may not deserve posivibes, but it would be nice to reap some in my current predicament.

The story: I got a sharps patient exposure for the SECOND time tonight (first one was with a suture needle, and this one was a pretty crazy scalpel exposure). I was throwing away an I&D tray and missed the scalpel and got poked. Bled like crazy.

My concern: The patient has a history of hepatitis C (Wish they'd told me that before I went in there...). Judging from how I bled, I believe I cut a venule or vein, meaning it was pretty deep (increasing chances, I think). Needle sticks (and I guess scalpel sticks) present a 1-in-3 chance of contracting Hep C, and Hep C doesn't go away completely, more so than HBV. I had my vacc. last March for HBV, so hopefully that will help (I don't know much about diseases), but I REALLY don't want hep C.

They drew blood, and my quick HIV check came back negative, which is good. The results for hepatitis won't come back for a couple days, and in that time, I'll be a little nerve-racked. So if, despite all my drama, you could say a prayer or send some vibes or something in hopes that I can avoid this, I'd appreciate it. Lord knows I've been debilitated enough for one year.

Thanks to you who are concerned. If this is "too personal", I'll delete it, but the thoughts and prayers would be helpful regardless.

[splat]

Shit, Max....I wouldn't wish that on anyone, as I know someone who has been going through it for years.
Hopefully, they'll have a cure soon, as it seems to be getting almost epidemic.

Vibes, dude +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Vets]

Max,
Positive vibes on the test coming back negative.
Be well.

[Toby]

++++++ vibes Max.

[Rasputin]

In all sincerity, I have spoken a prayer for you Max, and there have been many a time when this has been enough to assure a person's well being.







That said, and assuming my prayer is already answered, perhaps you should consider an investment:










Best wishes Max.

[MeatPuppet]

Damn Max.

+++ Vibes +++

I hope everything turns out OK.

[Spats]

Damn.

Does Ribavirin do any good against initial exposure? It's worth asking.

Other than that, eat right, take vitamins, sleep plenty, and do whatever you can to help your immune system fight it.

I hope it's a false alarm, and if not, I hope you're in the 50% who fight it off.

[Ski Monkey]

Sorry to hear max, waiting for those tests can take forever. I stepped on a syringe a 4 years ago walking on a beach and waiting for all the tests to come back was the longest week of my life. Hoping it's a false alarm like mine was.

[natty dread]

Dude, I hope this works out for you. I know four coworkers who got hep c from various exposures. Some are doing well, some aren't.

I acknowledge that you may not have had enough training in handling biohazard stuff, so it may be partially someone else's fault.
But I gotta tell you max, if you're gonna keep doing the medical thing, you've got to learn not to make mistakes like that. You've got to treat sharps, or stuff that potentially has sharps in it, like a loaded gun. It's serious shit, you have to be overcautious. Or else you should find something else to do, where your lack of attention to detail won't hurt you so much.

Harsh. Maybe. But when I see you I picture an earnest but oblivious kid who's so stoked to be doing "important" stuff, that he's not paying attention.

I haven't ever had an exposure in 13 years of handling a lot of sharps. Because while I can be a lazy mofo, when it comes to sharps, I fucking pay attention.

[majortom]

+++vibes+++

Hopefully it's just a false alarm.

[Mybad!]

Dude, I hope this works out for you. I know four coworkers who got hep c from various exposures. Some are doing well, some aren't.

I acknowledge that you may not have had enough training in handling biohazard stuff, so it may be partially someone else's fault.
But I gotta tell you max, if you're gonna keep doing the medical thing, you've got to learn not to make mistakes like that. You've got to treat sharps, or stuff that potentially has sharps in it, like a loaded gun. It's serious shit, you have to be overcautious. Or else you should find something else to do, where your lack of attention to detail won't hurt you so much.

Harsh. Maybe. But when I see you I picture an earnest but oblivious kid who's so stoked to be doing "important" stuff, that he's not paying attention.

I haven't ever had an exposure in 13 years of handling a lot of sharps. Because while I can be a lazy mofo, when it comes to sharps, I fucking pay attention.

What do you do, nurse or doctor?

[BushwackerinPA]

+++++++VIBES+++++++++

that does suck I hope it turns out good for you.

[Max Gosey]

Harsh. Maybe. But when I see you I picture an earnest but oblivious kid who's so stoked to be doing "important" stuff, that he's not paying attention.

Very accurate description of me, in fact. I gauge activities as a tech by how "medical" they are. I don't like cleaning up shit because it's "not medical" (not because it's necessarily trivial) but I like "medical" shit (splints, EKGs, foleys, wound care, blah blah) regardless of how trivial it is. This has occurred to me before, but I've never actually figured out why...

I didn't see it, so I didn't think it was there, and now I know that can be not the case. I was trying to move too fast (again). From now on, I'll either ask the doc if he threw away the sharps (probably not the best) or if he's not around, I'll dissect whatever kit I'm disposing of.

Stupid mistake on my part, but it's one I intend not to make again. Hopefully this will be just a lesson I needed to learn (and not the hardest of ways).

Thanks for the thoughts, guys.

[snowsprite]

Wow man, I hope this works out okay for you! Scary, and +++ thoughts sent!

Sprite

[bdog]

Shit Max! Hang in there. ++++ vibes sent. What Natty said is right on!

[MarsB]

Good luck, buddy! Hope everything turns out ok.

[Jim S]

Been there, done that, been lucky.

++++++++++++++VIBES++++++++++++++++++++++

[adam]

Thats some scary shit max. vibes to ya. hope this is all a false alarm. We need to do some skiing this winter!

[Sutter]

Rough, man, keep your head up and I'll send my prayers. ++++++++++++++++

[bklyn]

But when I see you I picture an earnest but oblivious kid who's so stoked to be doing "important" stuff, that he's not paying attention.

Damn that is spot on.

+ vibes to you, hopefully you will dodge the bullet again.

Cut the cord and be an independent person Max, paying attention to all the details in your life is key for your personal and professional growth. Maybe a summer working for doctors without borders would be really good for you.

[Max Gosey]

Maybe a summer working for doctors without borders would be really good for you.

???

[lemon boy]

???

They're an international medical relief agency.

+~+ on your stick that sucks.

[summit]

Max +++++++ for a - result!

[Jim S]

My concern: The patient has a history of hepatitis C (Wish they'd told me that before I went in there...)

When it comes to sharps and fluids, I consider every patient to have hepatitis or HIV unless proven otherwise.
Occassionally patients do not know they have hepatitis.

[Jim S]

From now on, I'll either ask the doc if he threw away the sharps (probably not the best) or if he's not around, I'll dissect whatever kit I'm disposing of.

Docs often don't recall every needle or scalpel unless it's an O.R. case.

I'd just carefully pick up the entire chuck or whatever paper/plastic the materials are on and throw the whole thing in the sharps bin. Nobody can get hurt that way.

Me? I throw keep track of every sharp and throw them away myself and make a point to say so to people. If I drop one I let make a point to have it disposed of stat before it gets stepped on or kicked around.