Saturday was a leisurely morning for us - stories in bed, pancakes for breakfast and pyjamas until 10am.
But then there was a phone call...
Olivia (Age 4): "Aunty Maryanne, when you are at work do you ever see dolly patients or do you only see human ones?"
Maryanne: "Well, dolly patients aren't really my area of expertise Olivia, but I have seen one or two over the years. Do you have a dolly that needs my help?"
Dolly certainly needed some extra special care.
Here is a copy of my clinical notes:
Presentation:
But then there was a phone call...
Olivia (Age 4): "Aunty Maryanne, when you are at work do you ever see dolly patients or do you only see human ones?"
Maryanne: "Well, dolly patients aren't really my area of expertise Olivia, but I have seen one or two over the years. Do you have a dolly that needs my help?"
Dolly certainly needed some extra special care.
Here is a copy of my clinical notes:
Presentation:
- Large right axillary and lateral chest wall laceration, resulting in almost complete amputation of right upper limb.
- Large quantity of thoracic innards (aka as stuffing) have become outtards.
- Mechanism of injury vague. I presume from the injuries sustained that a major traction force had been applied to the upper and lower limbs by two children who both seemed to believe that Dolly was theirs. The children involved have remained tight lipped.
- Despite a significant life threatening injury Dolly seemed to be in good spirits
Procedure
- Dolly was taken immediately to theatre (also known as the kitchen table).
- Outtards were returned to the thoracic cavity where they have become innards once again.
- Several reinforcing sutures were made to keep R arm intact.
- Laceration was closed with 10 large sutures using Gutterman thread
- Due to significant tension across the wound it was decided to reinforce the chest wall injury with a cream on pink polka dotted thoracic band. This was designed to coordinate nicely with the patient's pink gingham stockings.
- Despite a lack of anaesthesia, Dolly tolerated the procedure remarkably well - her smile never left her face.
- Dolly has recovered rapidly from her injury.
- She was discharged int the care of her owner with strict instructions to treat her more gently in the future.
- Some say she looks even better than before her accident!
All in a days work really...
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