Well it finally happened

Specialties Emergency

Published

Howdy ya'll

from deep in the heart of texas

Well its finally happened to me. I was drawing bllod the other night, and the patient jumped and the needle went flying and I got stuck. Went right through that latex glove and stuck in my hand. Needless to say I was not very happy. In fact I was downright angry. Probably more at myself for it to happen to me.

Well to make matters worse. the pt was immediately tested and is positive for Hep c and HIV. Now the paranoia and associated fears creep into mind as subtle as a Tidal Wave.

No matter how well educated and analytical you are by nature. It doesnt keep that emotional bullet from hitting you right in between the eyes. My god he is positive!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Analytically, we all know that needle puncture from a know contaminated source only result in a 0.01 % seroconveration to positive. And that is wth a large bore blood filled needle. So I was using a 23 g butterfly to draw blood and with there being no noticeable blood in the needle. Analytically I know the odds are very much in my favor that I will never convert.

But right now I am working my way through the emotional garbage in my brain from this incident.

The hospital did its job well, tested the pt promptly. got me started on triple program prophylaxis. If I was single I dont think I would go through the prophylaxis, particulalry at my age. However I do have a lovley wife and 7 kids, and numerous grandkids to think about, so I have opted to go through it,. to optimize my chances even more for never converting... I owe that to my family. More than I owe it to myself.

Then the hard part comes, letting my wife know I was stuck, by this contaminated needle. That and reassuring her that nothing was going to happen, and that everything possible was being done.

Of course I also have to bring up that we now need protection for love making and that doesnt go over to well either. even with trying to throw in a little levity. Havent needed protection in almost 30 yrs now. Damn do I actually remember how to use them things. And what kind do I get, the smooth, the bumpy, the ribbed, with or without lubrication.. The colored ones, the incandescent ones, the psychedelic ones. And do they come in different sizes now. I havent looked in almost 3 decades. I know I cant get the edible ones I saw an ad for, kind of defeats the purpose.

this is just to say

YA'LL BE CAREFULL OUT THERE. YA HEAR!!!!!!!!!!

doo wah ditty

congratulations on such good news--all of us TAKE CARE !!!!!!!!

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.
Originally posted by teeituptom

Well its been a yr now. Its official, my last set of labs HIV and Hep C were negative.

God after a whole year now, I can stop wearing condoms now.

Hate those things, my wife hates them to. Except maybe the ribbed ones.

Excellent news (EXCEPT for condom makers, that is). Just one of the built-in hazards for nurses, docs, lab techs, etc., but at least you had the facts about the very low risk from the beginning and didn't have to educate yourself from scratch. Your thread will similarly help others who get stuck as well, since the odds are very high that most of us will go through the "stuck experience" at some point.

BTW, if your wife prefers a "textured" feeling, you can always get pearls implanted under the penile shaft skin, as is done in a number of cultures. You get to pick your own patterns, too! (Maybe she would like to do that part of it.) Or, given your lifestyle, perhaps golf balls would suit you better!

So glad to hear you're ok, Tom!

Originally posted by sjoe

Excellent news (EXCEPT for condom makers, that is). Just one of the built-in hazards for nurses, docs, lab techs, etc., but at least you had the facts about the very low risk from the beginning and didn't have to educate yourself from scratch. Your thread will similarly help others who get stuck as well, since the odds are very high that most of us will go through the "stuck experience" at some point.

Tom

Unfortunately I am too new to this BB to know about what happened from day 1, but I certainly emulate others' sentiments--glad all is over and all is good.

In terms of educating...while it sucks for a guy to wear a condom, might I suggest (as others have alluded to) ribbed....for her pleasure...is always a nice choice.:D

Originally posted by sjoe

BTW, if your wife prefers a "textured" feeling, you can always get pearls implanted under the penile shaft skin, as is done in a number of cultures. You get to pick your own patterns, too! (Maybe she would like to do that part of it.) Or, given your lifestyle, perhaps golf balls would suit you better!

EWWWWW...just the thought of that makes me cross my legs and cringe.

Tom, I guess it's too late now but since you're a fellow texan, I just wanted to let you know that there are magnum sizes of condoms.:D

Originally posted by zenman

Tom, I guess it's too late now but since you're a fellow texan, I just wanted to let you know that there are magnum sizes of condoms.:D

LOL...you didn't just go there did you?:chuckle :chuckle

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Oh mighty Zenman

I think I wll leave that one alone,

But it was an eye opener after all these of not needing them to go to Condom store and see all the different sizes shapes colours textures and such

Simply amazing

I really wondered who dreamed all these things up.

Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.
originally posted by teeituptom

well its been a yr now. its official, my last set of labs hiv and hep c were negative.

god after a whole year now, i can stop wearing condoms now.

hate those things, my wife hates them to. except maybe the ribbed ones.

so glad to read this wonderful news,tom!

Another prayer answered! Glad to hear it, Tom. (and Mrs. Tom!) :)

Specializes in RN Spanish Translator.

Tom,

I am keeping you in my prayers!! I am so sorry that this happened to you. Keep positive and keep yourself healthy!!

Tom,

I can't even imagine the terror you must've felt to find out the pt was positive. A friend of mine just got stuck also. This is very frightening and it could be any of us, regardless of all the precautions we take. People don't seem to realize what we put on the line to be healthcare workers. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You must remember to think good thoughts and focus yourself. Please let us know how it goes.

May God be with you....

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Thanks all for all the good wishes

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