thirteen.years.it.has.been

i.lost.ONE.finger.or.TWO
definitely ONE.  definitely the use of TWO.

it was not the best day of my life.
october.3.1996

i had a cut that resembled a papercut.  not open.  not deep.  not threatening. until I came in contact with a person with strep throat.  the strep infection invaded my cut via coughing or sneezing.  it became staph infection.  THE FLESH-EATING BACTERIA.  GANGRENE.

for those of you who know:  you can skip this post.

for those of you who don't know: 

1.  WASH YOUR HANDS
2.  NEVER KISS A "BOO-BOO", EVER!  (KISS NEXT TO IT, AROUND IT, ABOVE IT, BELOW IT... NEVER EVER ON IT!)
3.  NEVER PUT YOUR FINGERS IN YOUR MOUTH AFTER A PAPERCUT OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF CUT!
4.  PUT ON A BAND-AID.  YES, EVEN ON A PAPERCUT!

6 months in and out of the hospital. 
365 daily visits to a hand surgeon. 
10 hand surgeries.
4 long years of constant doctor monitoring.
40 prescriptions for pain pills.
1200 codeine tablets.  (not for sale)
1 prosthetic.
4 doctors. 
1 special doctor who saved my life and my hand.
1,000,000 dollars, at least.
1 conclusion: disability.
1 future possibility: more amputation.

THANK YOU, DR. BOB!  AND 'NURSES' CARLA AND DEBBIE!  You're my heroes!