A Splinter in my Thumb

Have you ever had a splinter stuck in your thumb?

It’s the worst feeling in the world.

Who would think that such a tiny splinter could cause so much discomfort?

After trying unsuccessfully to get it out on your own, you end up in the ER face to face with someone like me – the consummate professional.

In my many years of treating patients in the Emergency Department I have taken care of my share of splinters in fingers and I’ve learned a few things about removing them.

Life is full of splinters. They take you by surprise. They come in various shapes and forms. They are much harder to deal with than a splinter in a finger but the same principles apply. I’d like to share with you 4 basic lessons about getting rid of the splinters in your life:

1. You can always tell when there is a splinter in your life. It’s no secret. When you get a splinter in your life, you always know it’s there. You feel the pain. You see the blood. You may even simply see the evidence, but you will never have a doubt when there is a splinter in your life. Some are big, some are small, but all are painful. And the longer they stay in your life the more painful they will be.

2. The splinter you see is easier to remove than the one you don’t. If the splinter is very superficial and can be reached, you can try – often successfully – to remove it with a pair of tweezers. Good for you. But sometimes in an attempt to remove the splinter it may become even more buried under the nail, so you end up in the ER. Here’s some free advice: don’t mess with that splinter too long before seeking help. The deeper the splinter the harder it is to remove.

3. Getting rid of the splinter is painful. Though it’s painful to get a splinter, it can be even more painful to remove it. I usually inject numbing medicine, and sometimes have to dissect around the nail bed in order to reach the splinter. It’s not fun – for the patient! But removing the splinter is not an option. As painful as the procedure is, the greatest relief comes when the splinter is out. If you’ve got a splinter in your life, it will hurt to deal with it and remove it, but the sooner you do it the better off you’ll be. Don’t let fear keep the splinter stuck where it shouldn’t be.

4. Once you’ve had a splinter you’re a lot more careful next time. In my 10 years of ER experience I have to admit that I’ve never seen the same person for a stuck splinter twice. I see bounce backs for fever and vomiting and cough, but never for a stuck splinter. It’s because most people who get a splinter stuck in their finger try really hard to be more careful moving forward. They pay more attention to what they are doing, they get help sooner, and they know what to look for to avoid them. Are you learning from the splinters in your life?

So what kind of splinter are you dealing with in your life? Is it a habitual sin? Is it a difficult relationship?

No matter what your splinter is, it’s high time you stop ignoring it and deal with it!

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