I am admittedly doctor phobic. In my past they have been wrong as often as right. Recently I managed to inject an object into the arch of my foot that the head of slipped from my slippery bloody grip in my flimsy fingernails under the skin leaving a small hole and no visibility of what went in at all. About 1/4 inch with a head. Pin or nail maybe.

After dark with nothing I need to get this out I go to bed and will try in the morning. By morning the hole was a little more swollen shut and every movement of my foot sends piercing pain all the way up to my groin. Then throbs and settles. I decide I need a doctor’s assistance. Being a stupid splinter I feel silly going but I can’t walk and I can’t get it out.

First question from the doctor. Are you sure this happened last night?

Really. This is the first of the lack of trust.

He says it’s just an infection but says he’ll do exploring if I would like

I lay on my stomach on the gurney giving consent to cut it out…I don’t care just get it out.

Immediately he pressed really firmly down on the whole I squeal and lurch up the gurney.

He tells he I have to stay still. I grab the gruney hugging it, wrap my other leg around the handrail give the ok to get it out and bite down as the doctor and the assistant squeeze the living shit out of my foot pressure and pain I think when they are done I will feel relief. People in the waiting room probably think I’m giving birth.

Finally the doctor stops,I toll over on my hip panting like I ran a marathon, my foot throbbing like I’ve been shot and the doctor holds up the stralization sheet covered in blood and says

See it’s an infection see the blood nothing came out just blood

He gave me antibiotics and I hobble out of the office wincing with every step.

For a week I have soaked it in Epsom salt, probed lightly with a sewing needle and tweezers to no avail

Went to a new Dr this morning. He’s not convinced there is anything in there either but they did an x-ray and in a couple days they will know. Seems ridiculous to take that long, if it’s in there I’m pretty sure even I’ll be able to see it.