Black Widow

bites...really, really hurt...in case you ever wondered. Last Thursday I was bit by a black widow--at first it was like any other spider bite--just a bit red with a blister--then it swelled a *lot* and the pain became unbearable. My entire arm hurt so bad that even walking hurt. I spent Saturday at the ER. They gave me injections of antibiotics right into it, and sent me home with Motrin 600 and oral antibiotics. By yesterday the pain swelling and pressure was so bad that I went back. I hadn't slept in days the pain woke me up hourly. They took a different approach this time... they cut it open and drained copious amounts of pus from it and then *gasp* packed the incision with gauze strips--the *same* kind I used to pack Rae's seromas back in the cancer days. I cried like a huge baby all the way to the pharmacy, and then *in* the pharmacy as Rae not so politely demanded they fill my RX(narcotics this time and a new antibiotic) immediatly(and they did, thank god) within 30minutes I was stoned and out of pain. I haven't missed a dose of pain meds and finally slept last night for the first time in a week. I'm pretty drugged up so my mom is helping with the kids and I just managed to get online. I'm typing this with one hand and likely wont answer emails for another few days--so if you've emailed me and have my number just call me...or know that I read your emails and that I will get back to you soon :o)