Staple-free. Day 75: June 18, 2012

Dallas was running a fever again this morning, hovering around 102 for many hours.  After finally getting him to wake up, he had a bath, which seemed to help the fever somewhat.

Staple that was in Dallas' Right Arm

While I was putting lotion on him and getting him dressed, I noticed the site where the staple is in his arm looked white.  So he took the top layer of skin off of it, and we looked at the staple.  It was closer to the top of the skin than ever before, and it looked infected around it.  Sure enough, it was infected.  After getting the infection out, we massaged the staple until it came even closer to the top.  At that time, Dallas said he wanted to try and get it out, so he tried pulling it out; though that didn't work.  I told Dallas that there was a special tool for us to use to get it out.  So he wanted me to get it and bring it back upstairs.

After getting the staple remover tool, I showed Dallas and he didn't seem frightened at all.  So we tried getting it under the staple, and after a few tries, we had it under.  Dallas said he still wasn't scared; so I told him to count to three and we would get it out.  1........2.......3..........  I closed the removal tool and it crimped down on the staple, pulling part of it out.  Dallas started crying.  I was able to easily remove the remainder of the staple without a problem.  I think Dallas was more upset about seeing blood than the staple actually hurting him.  It was amazing to see the staple out.  To think, that metal object had been in him for all this time, pulling at his skin, causing him to itch and hurt.  Thankfully it is finally out!

Staple Removal Tool

After removing the staple, I called and we cancelled the sedation suite.  It looks like there MAY be another staple in, but if that's the case, we can let it work itself to the top and take it out ourselves.

Dallas' fever has went down some, though it hasn't completely broke.  Hopefully it will be broke before the night ends.  He missed PT today because of it, we definitely don't want him missing another day.

Will update tomorrow!