I owe you all August 5, 2009 8:01 PM Subscribe
This is a callout. I accuse each and every one of you of being awesome.
At the end of April, I was in Laredo, Texas, and suffered the small indignity of a spider bite on my back. By the time all was said and done, a few days later I was in the hospital, my kidneys had shut down, and I was "a day from dead" according to one of my doctors. I had emergency surgery, and all was as well as could be expected.
At every step of the way, Mefites were and are involved. From the IRC crowd on #bunnies who cared enough to read first-aid stuff to me, to ColdChef and Stewriffic, who acted as communications links and helped keep people who cared updated, to the lovely Goshling, who rallied the Melbourne contingent to my side, to Jessamyn, who sent me a wonderfully wacky get-well package that kept my granddaughter and I busy for some quiet happy times during my convalescence, to Matt, who today brought me to tears with an incredibly generous gift, you are all awesome, incredibly generous people. I love you all.
Of course there were other people involved, and I am certainly remiss in not mentioning each end every one of them. Mea Culpa, and if your name is not here, it's not that I don't appreciate you and love you for what you've done for me. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.
At the end of April, I was in Laredo, Texas, and suffered the small indignity of a spider bite on my back. By the time all was said and done, a few days later I was in the hospital, my kidneys had shut down, and I was "a day from dead" according to one of my doctors. I had emergency surgery, and all was as well as could be expected.
At every step of the way, Mefites were and are involved. From the IRC crowd on #bunnies who cared enough to read first-aid stuff to me, to ColdChef and Stewriffic, who acted as communications links and helped keep people who cared updated, to the lovely Goshling, who rallied the Melbourne contingent to my side, to Jessamyn, who sent me a wonderfully wacky get-well package that kept my granddaughter and I busy for some quiet happy times during my convalescence, to Matt, who today brought me to tears with an incredibly generous gift, you are all awesome, incredibly generous people. I love you all.
Of course there were other people involved, and I am certainly remiss in not mentioning each end every one of them. Mea Culpa, and if your name is not here, it's not that I don't appreciate you and love you for what you've done for me. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.
We get one schmoopy day on MetaTalk per year and this one's the one. I'm so happy you're on the mend!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:07 PM on August 5, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:07 PM on August 5, 2009 [3 favorites]
Does this mean the recession is over?
posted by pwally at 8:08 PM on August 5, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by pwally at 8:08 PM on August 5, 2009 [2 favorites]
I accuse each and every one of you of being awesome.
Well, not ALL of us are awesome. I mean we'd like to be, but we didn't know you were sick, so I woulda done something...
Glad to hear you're on the mend.
posted by marxchivist at 8:11 PM on August 5, 2009 [2 favorites]
Well, not ALL of us are awesome. I mean we'd like to be, but we didn't know you were sick, so I woulda done something...
Glad to hear you're on the mend.
posted by marxchivist at 8:11 PM on August 5, 2009 [2 favorites]
Amro:
I had been twittering about the bite and my disappointment at not developing super-powers.
When I went to the hospital this and this ended up getting posted on Mecha.
posted by pjern at 8:12 PM on August 5, 2009
I had been twittering about the bite and my disappointment at not developing super-powers.
When I went to the hospital this and this ended up getting posted on Mecha.
posted by pjern at 8:12 PM on August 5, 2009
Ah, more of this "twittering" about which I hear so much. I should really look into that.
posted by amro at 8:15 PM on August 5, 2009
posted by amro at 8:15 PM on August 5, 2009
Here's the result of pjern's bite from a thread earlier today, which is why I stepped in (I still had some t-shirt profits to go around).
pjern, if you want another way to say thanks I would love a print of one of your photos. You pick your favorite one and send me a print and I'll proudly hang it in my office.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:17 PM on August 5, 2009 [7 favorites]
pjern, if you want another way to say thanks I would love a print of one of your photos. You pick your favorite one and send me a print and I'll proudly hang it in my office.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:17 PM on August 5, 2009 [7 favorites]
THAT'S IT!
The way to resolve all this national health care hullabaloo, tee-shirt sales and wealth distribution. Now can well call Congress and get it all sorted out?
Glad yer feeling better pjern
posted by edgeways at 8:21 PM on August 5, 2009
The way to resolve all this national health care hullabaloo, tee-shirt sales and wealth distribution. Now can well call Congress and get it all sorted out?
Glad yer feeling better pjern
posted by edgeways at 8:21 PM on August 5, 2009
Cool, glad to hear you're doing better!
I ended up having emergency surgery with removal of a softball sized lump of necrotic tissue from the center of my back.
This is probably in bad taste, but I gotta ask: Are there pictures of this tissue?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:22 PM on August 5, 2009
I ended up having emergency surgery with removal of a softball sized lump of necrotic tissue from the center of my back.
This is probably in bad taste, but I gotta ask: Are there pictures of this tissue?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:22 PM on August 5, 2009
vrakatar:
No one knows. I didn't see the spider, (I was asleep when the bite occurred) but it could have been any one of a number of nasty species that make the Texas/Mexico border area their home.
posted by pjern at 8:22 PM on August 5, 2009
No one knows. I didn't see the spider, (I was asleep when the bite occurred) but it could have been any one of a number of nasty species that make the Texas/Mexico border area their home.
posted by pjern at 8:22 PM on August 5, 2009
Are there pictures of this tissue?
No no no don't do it. pjern posted pics in an AskMe thread. I did not head the "not for the squeamish" warning and am still regretting it.
posted by runningwithscissors at 8:24 PM on August 5, 2009
No no no don't do it. pjern posted pics in an AskMe thread. I did not head the "not for the squeamish" warning and am still regretting it.
posted by runningwithscissors at 8:24 PM on August 5, 2009
Oh cool, life science!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:27 PM on August 5, 2009
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:27 PM on August 5, 2009
This is probably in bad taste, but I gotta ask: Are there pictures of this tissue?
Not of the actual stuff removed, no.
I posted links to photos of the divot in my back here. (Two levels of misdirection and a NSFTS warning.)
posted by pjern at 8:27 PM on August 5, 2009
Not of the actual stuff removed, no.
I posted links to photos of the divot in my back here. (Two levels of misdirection and a NSFTS warning.)
posted by pjern at 8:27 PM on August 5, 2009
Man, after the pissiness exhibited in this thread I wasn't feeling too good about Metafilter. This makes me feel better. Thanks, pjern. Thanks, everyone.
posted by hifiparasol at 8:28 PM on August 5, 2009
posted by hifiparasol at 8:28 PM on August 5, 2009
I was just thinking about you today, pjern, and how glad I am that you're on the mend. Yay for Metatalk Schmoopy Day!
posted by scody at 8:34 PM on August 5, 2009
posted by scody at 8:34 PM on August 5, 2009
Wow, that was a pretty nasty bite. Sorry you had to go through that but it's awesome that you're doing better and various Mefites helped ya out.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:34 PM on August 5, 2009
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:34 PM on August 5, 2009
Sure sounds like a brown recluse, ugh! pjern, I'm so glad it all worked out all right in the end. You must have been scared to death um, a lot.
And even though I was not awesome personally, I'm proud to be a member of Metafilter, where awesomeness abounds today!
posted by misha at 8:37 PM on August 5, 2009
And even though I was not awesome personally, I'm proud to be a member of Metafilter, where awesomeness abounds today!
posted by misha at 8:37 PM on August 5, 2009
Holy crap pjern! I had seen those pics in the other AskMe thread. I thought (or wanted to think) it happened YEAAARS ago. I'm so glad you pulled through. Those pics left quite an impression in my brain.
As an aside - if it makes you feel better, a few years ago I full-on killed a brown recluse by sitting on it with my naked butt. (Actually same happened with a scorpion. Don't know what this means. I'm just glad you're better.)
posted by Kloryne at 8:50 PM on August 5, 2009 [6 favorites]
As an aside - if it makes you feel better, a few years ago I full-on killed a brown recluse by sitting on it with my naked butt. (Actually same happened with a scorpion. Don't know what this means. I'm just glad you're better.)
posted by Kloryne at 8:50 PM on August 5, 2009 [6 favorites]
Holy shit, those pictures are scary.
I'm very glad you're better! That T-shirt is the best $20 I've spent in a long while.
posted by Phire at 8:53 PM on August 5, 2009
I'm very glad you're better! That T-shirt is the best $20 I've spent in a long while.
posted by Phire at 8:53 PM on August 5, 2009
Damn spider still didn't stop you from kicking my ass at Facebook scrabble... so next time I'm sending a chupacabra! Scrabble victory will be mine!!
(Glad you're better!)
posted by not_on_display at 8:58 PM on August 5, 2009 [2 favorites]
(Glad you're better!)
posted by not_on_display at 8:58 PM on August 5, 2009 [2 favorites]
pjern, wow, I'm really glad you're doing better. Those pics..wow. How is the gap healing? Do you at least get a secret storage compartment out of the ordeal?
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 9:15 PM on August 5, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 9:15 PM on August 5, 2009 [1 favorite]
Holy crap. This outweighs, like, 1000 stupid arguments I've had on this site. Maybe this place ain't so bad after all. *sniff*
posted by Afroblanco at 9:21 PM on August 5, 2009
posted by Afroblanco at 9:21 PM on August 5, 2009
The whole thing was scary pjern don't you dare get bitten again!
posted by gomichild at 9:22 PM on August 5, 2009
posted by gomichild at 9:22 PM on August 5, 2009
pjern: This is a callout. I accuse each and every one of you of being awesome.
Me: Thanks! My job here is done.
Matt: What do you mean? You didn't do anything!
Me: [chuckles] Didn't I? *fades from view*
But seriously, I'm glad you're well!
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:29 PM on August 5, 2009 [1 favorite]
Me: Thanks! My job here is done.
Matt: What do you mean? You didn't do anything!
Me: [chuckles] Didn't I? *fades from view*
But seriously, I'm glad you're well!
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:29 PM on August 5, 2009 [1 favorite]
pjern, even though you made me look at gross gross pictures, I feel for you; you've been through the wringer, physically and financially. Check your PayPal -- I made a small donation, and I encourage others to do the same. You've got a heavy financial burden because of this, and I'd love to see if MetaFilter can help put a (bigger) dent in it.
posted by runningwithscissors at 9:38 PM on August 5, 2009
posted by runningwithscissors at 9:38 PM on August 5, 2009
Those are the best gross pictures I have seen on this site, and I even watched a centipede eat a bat. Thanks, pjern.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:47 PM on August 5, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:47 PM on August 5, 2009 [1 favorite]
Just by sheer coincidence, I'm watching the spider scene from Return of the King on my fancy-pants new (old) TV right now.
I still had some t-shirt profits to go around
Holy shit, how much profit did you make from those t-shirts???
posted by dirigibleman at 9:51 PM on August 5, 2009
I still had some t-shirt profits to go around
Holy shit, how much profit did you make from those t-shirts???
posted by dirigibleman at 9:51 PM on August 5, 2009
Yikes! Glad you're doing better.
posted by OolooKitty at 10:14 PM on August 5, 2009
posted by OolooKitty at 10:14 PM on August 5, 2009
Wow! You could carry a pack of Luckies in there.
We are awesome, aren't we?
posted by dirtdirt at 10:27 PM on August 5, 2009
We are awesome, aren't we?
posted by dirtdirt at 10:27 PM on August 5, 2009
Oh wow! Those pictures look exactly like the tailbone spur surgery my ex went through. I think it was almost two months that it took for the new tissue to fill in and grow. It was pretty cool to watch actually. Right after the initial surgery you could sorta see his spine, like yours in the pic! What an ordeal, I really feel for you and am glad you're ok!
(ok this is morbid, but I do remember constantly changing the gauze for him and I kept getting reminded of Silence of the Lambs...how he was making a skin suit, and he even bothered to put darts in it. So I was sitting there staring at this dart-like wound every day, and stuffing it with gauze, like you'd stuff a stuffed animal or a chicken. Maybe it didn't help that he also has the same last name of the serial killer in the movie.)
posted by iamkimiam at 10:39 PM on August 5, 2009
(ok this is morbid, but I do remember constantly changing the gauze for him and I kept getting reminded of Silence of the Lambs...how he was making a skin suit, and he even bothered to put darts in it. So I was sitting there staring at this dart-like wound every day, and stuffing it with gauze, like you'd stuff a stuffed animal or a chicken. Maybe it didn't help that he also has the same last name of the serial killer in the movie.)
posted by iamkimiam at 10:39 PM on August 5, 2009
As a Melbourne Mefite, I'd like to respectfully suggest that pjern stay on that side of the water.
Our spiders would kick your spiders' arses.
posted by pompomtom at 10:57 PM on August 5, 2009
Our spiders would kick your spiders' arses.
posted by pompomtom at 10:57 PM on August 5, 2009
I accuse each and every one of you
I accuse my parents!
I'm glad you didn't die, dude, but it does kind of suck about the superpowers.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:58 PM on August 5, 2009 [3 favorites]
I accuse my parents!
I'm glad you didn't die, dude, but it does kind of suck about the superpowers.
posted by cortex (staff) at 10:58 PM on August 5, 2009 [3 favorites]
Pretty horrible pictures there and I'm sure it looked much worse before they operated.
Back in the 80's my dad got bit on the index finger by a brown recluse (also in Texas) - they excised a disc of flesh that went necrotic during treatment, but not before the whole thing had swollen up to the size of a hot dog. It's hard to believe such a small little spider can do so much damage, but they do. For people living in the habitat range of one of these spiders, it is worth it to learn how to recognize them. Can't do much about them in your sleep, but you can sure as hell get away if you spot them.
posted by empyrean at 11:02 PM on August 5, 2009
Back in the 80's my dad got bit on the index finger by a brown recluse (also in Texas) - they excised a disc of flesh that went necrotic during treatment, but not before the whole thing had swollen up to the size of a hot dog. It's hard to believe such a small little spider can do so much damage, but they do. For people living in the habitat range of one of these spiders, it is worth it to learn how to recognize them. Can't do much about them in your sleep, but you can sure as hell get away if you spot them.
posted by empyrean at 11:02 PM on August 5, 2009
Thanks to mathowie for putting his money where it mattered.
posted by Cranberry at 12:31 AM on August 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Cranberry at 12:31 AM on August 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
Best to you, pjern. I love the variety of subjects for your photos. I hope you recover fully and enjoy shooting many, many more pictures (but not of spider bites).
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 1:11 AM on August 6, 2009
posted by rangefinder 1.4 at 1:11 AM on August 6, 2009
I accuse my parents!
woah. you can link to a time offset with #t=xmys? why does no one tell me these important things?
Glad you're doing ok, pjern.
posted by juv3nal at 1:17 AM on August 6, 2009
woah. you can link to a time offset with #t=xmys? why does no one tell me these important things?
Glad you're doing ok, pjern.
posted by juv3nal at 1:17 AM on August 6, 2009
Yay pjern! He likes trains! He gets bit by spiders! He's on IRC! He is an all-round MAN!
posted by Jofus at 2:25 AM on August 6, 2009
posted by Jofus at 2:25 AM on August 6, 2009
We should evacuate the entire habitat of the Brown Recluse spider and nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure. I'd rather get bit by a freakin' shark.
posted by Justinian at 3:24 AM on August 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Justinian at 3:24 AM on August 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'm glad you're recovering, pjern. Think of it this way: you've taken on the worst that rat bastard Mother Nature can throw at you and won.
And a tip of the hat to Matt. I suppose it's good all this schmoopiness is happening after the 10th or else you might have been smothered by hugs at the anniversary meetup.
posted by Kattullus at 4:11 AM on August 6, 2009
And a tip of the hat to Matt. I suppose it's good all this schmoopiness is happening after the 10th or else you might have been smothered by hugs at the anniversary meetup.
posted by Kattullus at 4:11 AM on August 6, 2009
I'm glad you are doing better, pjern. The pictures of your wound remind me of when my wife's c-section incision ripped open right after our last son was born. I packed it with tons of gauze twice a day for what seemed like months. At least her wound wasn't necrotic and she was well-insured.
I killed a brown recluse with a shoe in our bathroom last year. I vaguely knew at the time that they had a nasty bite. I would have been more respectful (and careful) if I had seen your pictures first.
As for super-powers, you convened the annual schmoopy thread in MeTa, which astonishingly has no snark so far. Only a True Jedi can pull that kind of shit off.
posted by double block and bleed at 4:32 AM on August 6, 2009
I killed a brown recluse with a shoe in our bathroom last year. I vaguely knew at the time that they had a nasty bite. I would have been more respectful (and careful) if I had seen your pictures first.
As for super-powers, you convened the annual schmoopy thread in MeTa, which astonishingly has no snark so far. Only a True Jedi can pull that kind of shit off.
posted by double block and bleed at 4:32 AM on August 6, 2009
I am glad you only got informal help from ColdChef and did not require his professional services.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 4:59 AM on August 6, 2009 [24 favorites]
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 4:59 AM on August 6, 2009 [24 favorites]
pjern, since no one els has done it yet, I'm calling you out for being an awesome photographer.
Protip, peeps: I bought the Yellow Chevrolet, and love it.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:12 AM on August 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
Protip, peeps: I bought the Yellow Chevrolet, and love it.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:12 AM on August 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
We get one schmoopy day on MetaTalk per year and this one's the one.
We're full-on into the middle of MeTa Shmoopy Day 2.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:14 AM on August 6, 2009
We're full-on into the middle of MeTa Shmoopy Day 2.
posted by Devils Rancher at 5:14 AM on August 6, 2009
Glad you are better pjern.
I think the super power you have is just not evident yet. Sometimes maybe super powers just bide their time, waiting for the proper moment to manifest.
It will be awesome
posted by readery at 5:27 AM on August 6, 2009
I think the super power you have is just not evident yet. Sometimes maybe super powers just bide their time, waiting for the proper moment to manifest.
It will be awesome
posted by readery at 5:27 AM on August 6, 2009
Wow. I had a friend in college who was bitten by a spider. She didn't need surgery but was still on crutches for six weeks. I'm very glad to hear you're better.
posted by rtha at 5:56 AM on August 6, 2009
posted by rtha at 5:56 AM on August 6, 2009
pjern, that photo of the Roswell sunrise is possibly the prettiest thing to ever come out of that place.
I'm so glad you're feeling better.
posted by sugarfish at 6:12 AM on August 6, 2009
I'm so glad you're feeling better.
posted by sugarfish at 6:12 AM on August 6, 2009
Schmoopy.
Let's say it together, shall we?
"Schmoopy".
posted by BitterOldPunk at 6:44 AM on August 6, 2009
Let's say it together, shall we?
"Schmoopy".
posted by BitterOldPunk at 6:44 AM on August 6, 2009
Wow, now I'm fully freaked out about brown recluse spiders. I'll be fumigating my entire neighborhood when I get home tonight.
Glad you made it through, pjern!
posted by slogger at 6:52 AM on August 6, 2009
Glad you made it through, pjern!
posted by slogger at 6:52 AM on August 6, 2009
I'm glad you're alive, pjern; we're all better for it.
And oh yeah, great photography!
posted by breezeway at 6:52 AM on August 6, 2009
And oh yeah, great photography!
posted by breezeway at 6:52 AM on August 6, 2009
Glad to have you still with us & cheeky as ever, pjern. Love you heaps! You had us pretty scared we were gonna lose you there for a while. '
Thanks to all of Mefi Melbourne who all agreed with my zany plan to donate our mathowie mefi10 beer money to Phil and didn't beat me up for giving away their beer money. It was our own way of all us buying you a beer to celebrate you still being with us , Phil.
I'm still far more frightened of the US health system than I am of any steenken spider.
Also, we can all have our very own Phil Jern photos to adorn our homes & workspaces, and they make fabulous gifts.
Phil also has some photos in the Capture Indy project so please have a look & vote if you feel inspired.
posted by goshling at 7:15 AM on August 6, 2009
Thanks to all of Mefi Melbourne who all agreed with my zany plan to donate our mathowie mefi10 beer money to Phil and didn't beat me up for giving away their beer money. It was our own way of all us buying you a beer to celebrate you still being with us , Phil.
I'm still far more frightened of the US health system than I am of any steenken spider.
Also, we can all have our very own Phil Jern photos to adorn our homes & workspaces, and they make fabulous gifts.
Phil also has some photos in the Capture Indy project so please have a look & vote if you feel inspired.
posted by goshling at 7:15 AM on August 6, 2009
Phil, I'm so glad you have gotten better. I was quite scared there for a time.
Hugs to you and yours.
Also, y'all? pjern's photos are absolutely gorgeous. Oh, not the photos of the bite, those are gross. These aren't the spider photos, I promise.
posted by Stewriffic at 7:20 AM on August 6, 2009
Hugs to you and yours.
Also, y'all? pjern's photos are absolutely gorgeous. Oh, not the photos of the bite, those are gross. These aren't the spider photos, I promise.
posted by Stewriffic at 7:20 AM on August 6, 2009
Can we start the Metafilter island yet?
posted by Demogorgon at 7:33 AM on August 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Demogorgon at 7:33 AM on August 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
Glad you are on the mend! I knew my overwhelming fear of spiders was well founded.
Hail to the Schmoopy!
posted by kiwi-epitome at 7:41 AM on August 6, 2009
Hail to the Schmoopy!
posted by kiwi-epitome at 7:41 AM on August 6, 2009
Also, thanks, Matt Haughey. Thank you so very much. You are truly awesome.
posted by goshling at 7:44 AM on August 6, 2009
posted by goshling at 7:44 AM on August 6, 2009
pjern - So glad to hear you're recovering well.
mathowie - I've said it before and I'll say it again: You are one big-hearted motherfucker.
Arachnophobes - Brown Recluse bites actually vary greatly is severity from individual to individual. The majority of bites heal without any significant scarring, and some are barely noticeable at all. I speak from experience. I've been bitten twice by these little bastards. Luckily my reaction was limited to a few itchy blisters which lasted about 10 days and left faint scarring. That's not to say I care to tangle with another one.
posted by JeffK at 7:44 AM on August 6, 2009
mathowie - I've said it before and I'll say it again: You are one big-hearted motherfucker.
Arachnophobes - Brown Recluse bites actually vary greatly is severity from individual to individual. The majority of bites heal without any significant scarring, and some are barely noticeable at all. I speak from experience. I've been bitten twice by these little bastards. Luckily my reaction was limited to a few itchy blisters which lasted about 10 days and left faint scarring. That's not to say I care to tangle with another one.
posted by JeffK at 7:44 AM on August 6, 2009
So, uh, where do these spiders live exactly? I saw a spider the size of a dinner plate in my mother's kitchen, but I wasn't too worried about him since he only had six legs. (Meaning, he had lost two somehow, not that he wasn't a spider.)
My mom lives in Vermont, and I just assume that the worst thing that's going to get me up there is the poison ivy. And MAN am I ever allergic to THAT.
Glad you're doing better, pjern! And man, this tshirt is the awesomest thing I've ever bought! When can I buy more and save the world?!
posted by grapefruitmoon at 8:00 AM on August 6, 2009
My mom lives in Vermont, and I just assume that the worst thing that's going to get me up there is the poison ivy. And MAN am I ever allergic to THAT.
Glad you're doing better, pjern! And man, this tshirt is the awesomest thing I've ever bought! When can I buy more and save the world?!
posted by grapefruitmoon at 8:00 AM on August 6, 2009
Spider bites can be bad, but I think in pjern's case and in a lot of cases much of the damage to his body was done by a secondary bacterial infection (please correct me if I'm wrong!)
I think most of the nastier spiders live here in the southern US, where it's warmer. We also have fire ants and africanized honey bees, if you're not scared enough. On a day to day basis I actually worry more about getting bit by a fire ant - those bits hurt like hell and don't stop until they fully heal, and they can leave pretty bad scarring.
posted by muddgirl at 8:34 AM on August 6, 2009
I think most of the nastier spiders live here in the southern US, where it's warmer. We also have fire ants and africanized honey bees, if you're not scared enough. On a day to day basis I actually worry more about getting bit by a fire ant - those bits hurt like hell and don't stop until they fully heal, and they can leave pretty bad scarring.
posted by muddgirl at 8:34 AM on August 6, 2009
I had been twittering about the bite and my disappointment at not developing super-powers.
Don't rush to judgment, you never know when those powers will develop. For instance, I was recently attacked and very nearly eaten alive by mosquitoes (seriously, we are talking about a couple of hundred bites over the course of 30 minutes) and while I didn't notice it at first, my experience did leave me was a super-power;
I now have the ability to not scratch itches.
It might not seem like much, but when the alternative is keeping those nasty bites going or willing one's self to wait till they go away? Waiting is a better choice.
So maybe you will develop some uncanny ability, like climbing walls, sensing danger, or quietly convalescing. Who can tell?
Glad you are mending.
posted by quin at 8:46 AM on August 6, 2009
Don't rush to judgment, you never know when those powers will develop. For instance, I was recently attacked and very nearly eaten alive by mosquitoes (seriously, we are talking about a couple of hundred bites over the course of 30 minutes) and while I didn't notice it at first, my experience did leave me was a super-power;
I now have the ability to not scratch itches.
It might not seem like much, but when the alternative is keeping those nasty bites going or willing one's self to wait till they go away? Waiting is a better choice.
So maybe you will develop some uncanny ability, like climbing walls, sensing danger, or quietly convalescing. Who can tell?
Glad you are mending.
posted by quin at 8:46 AM on August 6, 2009
Ack! Newfound respect for spiders, pjern, and MeFites.
So glad to hear you got treated in time and are recovering. What an ordeal!
posted by Miko at 8:51 AM on August 6, 2009
So glad to hear you got treated in time and are recovering. What an ordeal!
posted by Miko at 8:51 AM on August 6, 2009
Oh god, I hope my boyfriend never sees this thread. On the one hand, this fully supports my "yay, Metafilter" argument. On the other hand, it doesn't do much to help my "spiders are good for things" argument. Glad you made it through, pjern.
posted by booknerd at 9:13 AM on August 6, 2009
posted by booknerd at 9:13 AM on August 6, 2009
Sweet suffering mother of fuck, I am so glad I clicked on those pics two weeks after the ER folks pulled a giant tick off my shoulder blade (no ill effects, whew) rather than a few days before.
I'm even gladder you're still among us, pjern.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:33 AM on August 6, 2009
I'm even gladder you're still among us, pjern.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:33 AM on August 6, 2009
Wow pjern that is scary. Way to go awesome MeFites!
My recent visit to the ER makes much more sense now. About two months ago I was stung by *something* while cleaning up dead black widows from the previous days spider genocide in my back yard. The advice nurse with our insurance said "Emergency Room. Now." When I mentioned that it might have been a black widow at the ER desk I was immediately surrounded by staff with blood pressure cuffs, temp, and pulse monitors. I never even sat down until I was in a back room being treated.
Turns out it was nothing (no other reaction/symptoms), but after seeing how they reacted and now pjern's story and pics I am always going to take bites seriously.
Glad you are on the road to recovery.
posted by Big_B at 9:52 AM on August 6, 2009
My recent visit to the ER makes much more sense now. About two months ago I was stung by *something* while cleaning up dead black widows from the previous days spider genocide in my back yard. The advice nurse with our insurance said "Emergency Room. Now." When I mentioned that it might have been a black widow at the ER desk I was immediately surrounded by staff with blood pressure cuffs, temp, and pulse monitors. I never even sat down until I was in a back room being treated.
Turns out it was nothing (no other reaction/symptoms), but after seeing how they reacted and now pjern's story and pics I am always going to take bites seriously.
Glad you are on the road to recovery.
posted by Big_B at 9:52 AM on August 6, 2009
Man, MeFites are just knocking them out of the park left and right lately. Particularly Mr. Haughey, who is one amazing man. I'm really glad you're feeling better, pjern.
(Also, your photos of the decaying farmyard are just gorgeous.)
posted by Caduceus at 9:56 AM on August 6, 2009
(Also, your photos of the decaying farmyard are just gorgeous.)
posted by Caduceus at 9:56 AM on August 6, 2009
I started reading Mecha around the time everyone was worried sick about you, and it was very touching to see everyone rally around one ailing bunny.
Also, I am pretty sure those photos would make an excellent dietary aid. I've been on the internet long enough to have a pretty strong stomach, but I no longer feel like curry, so much.
posted by Juliet Banana at 10:13 AM on August 6, 2009
Also, I am pretty sure those photos would make an excellent dietary aid. I've been on the internet long enough to have a pretty strong stomach, but I no longer feel like curry, so much.
posted by Juliet Banana at 10:13 AM on August 6, 2009
If I knew that this is what the t-shirt profits were going to, I would have bought two.
posted by eyeballkid at 10:21 AM on August 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by eyeballkid at 10:21 AM on August 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
Had no idea, glad to hear you are on the mend!
God I wish I didn't look at those pictures.
posted by jerseygirl at 10:24 AM on August 6, 2009
God I wish I didn't look at those pictures.
posted by jerseygirl at 10:24 AM on August 6, 2009
I'd been following this on Twitter and I'm glad to hear you're doing much better.
I'd be interested in knowing which was your "favorite photo" that you sent/are sending to Matt.
posted by desjardins at 10:43 AM on August 6, 2009
I'd be interested in knowing which was your "favorite photo" that you sent/are sending to Matt.
posted by desjardins at 10:43 AM on August 6, 2009
I'm eating Sambar right now so I'm scared to click the links but thankful beyond belief that this community is... well, A COMMUNITY.
Pjern, I think you have to drink some glowstick fluid and possibly sit in the microwave for 30 seconds before the superpowers kick in! ;)
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 11:16 AM on August 6, 2009
Pjern, I think you have to drink some glowstick fluid and possibly sit in the microwave for 30 seconds before the superpowers kick in! ;)
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 11:16 AM on August 6, 2009
pjern, I thought you should know that whenever I say your name in my head it comes out like Pinky saying "fjord."
Also, I'm glad you're better! Zort!
posted by Mister_A at 11:59 AM on August 6, 2009
Also, I'm glad you're better! Zort!
posted by Mister_A at 11:59 AM on August 6, 2009
Mister_A, you're not the only one that happens to. Troz!
I've just ordered a t-shirt to put a little more cash into the Necrotizing Flesh Wound Fund.
Stuff like this is why I love Metafilter.
posted by cmyk at 12:23 PM on August 6, 2009
I've just ordered a t-shirt to put a little more cash into the Necrotizing Flesh Wound Fund.
Stuff like this is why I love Metafilter.
posted by cmyk at 12:23 PM on August 6, 2009
desjardins:
I don't know which one yet. It's a little like picking among your children.
Devils Advocate:
One bright aspect to my situation was that they sent me home with some pretty good drugs, which led to some pretty interesting dreams. In one of them, ColdChef was hanging around my house for some indeterminate reason, answering my phones. I remember asking him if people had stopped dying in Louisiana. Bizzare shit.
runningwithscissors:
Thank you very much.
posted by pjern at 12:49 PM on August 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
I don't know which one yet. It's a little like picking among your children.
Devils Advocate:
One bright aspect to my situation was that they sent me home with some pretty good drugs, which led to some pretty interesting dreams. In one of them, ColdChef was hanging around my house for some indeterminate reason, answering my phones. I remember asking him if people had stopped dying in Louisiana. Bizzare shit.
runningwithscissors:
Thank you very much.
posted by pjern at 12:49 PM on August 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
I need to order a tshirt.
(I had a brown recluse leap out of a plant I was repotting at work-critters hitchhike on our baskets and plants all the time-and let's just say those pics were not very comforting.)
Glad you are much better!!!!
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 12:52 PM on August 6, 2009
(I had a brown recluse leap out of a plant I was repotting at work-critters hitchhike on our baskets and plants all the time-and let's just say those pics were not very comforting.)
Glad you are much better!!!!
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 12:52 PM on August 6, 2009
I don't know what a schmoopy is.
I think this story is further proof that biting spiders should be eliminated. Ugh.
posted by five fresh fish at 2:03 PM on August 6, 2009
I think this story is further proof that biting spiders should be eliminated. Ugh.
posted by five fresh fish at 2:03 PM on August 6, 2009
Wow, I'm not even going to bring the snark or pith. That is flat out awesome, and I'm glad you're still Quick.
posted by absalom at 2:25 PM on August 6, 2009
posted by absalom at 2:25 PM on August 6, 2009
Pjern, I think you have to drink some glowstick fluid and possibly sit in the microwave for 30 seconds before the superpowers kick in! ;)
Don't listen to Unicorn. That's just a flashback to her doofing days.
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:51 PM on August 6, 2009
Don't listen to Unicorn. That's just a flashback to her doofing days.
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:51 PM on August 6, 2009
Looooove isssss alllll arrrrroooooound *twirls with purse in park*
Yay!
posted by The Whelk at 5:49 PM on August 6, 2009
Yay!
posted by The Whelk at 5:49 PM on August 6, 2009
I love you, Pumpkin. I love you, Honey Bunny. All right, everybody be cool, this is a callout! Any of you fucking pricks move, and I'll execute every motherfucking last one of ya!
posted by grobstein at 5:53 PM on August 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by grobstein at 5:53 PM on August 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
Glad you recovered!
I need to order a tee shirt, too, because after looking at those spider bite surgery photos I have a mentally taken on the wound gap to exist on my own body, as well. And think a metafilter shirt is the the only thing that will heal it.
posted by NikitaNikita at 8:28 PM on August 6, 2009
I need to order a tee shirt, too, because after looking at those spider bite surgery photos I have a mentally taken on the wound gap to exist on my own body, as well. And think a metafilter shirt is the the only thing that will heal it.
posted by NikitaNikita at 8:28 PM on August 6, 2009
(also, my grammar and syntax have went to bed without me)
posted by NikitaNikita at 8:28 PM on August 6, 2009
posted by NikitaNikita at 8:28 PM on August 6, 2009
Am so glad it all worked out. I remember that's about the time I met you all on bunnies, and it was pretty scary for awhile. Glad you're back on the road.
And as an aside, how lovely is goshling? She came up with her scheme, and the rest of us melbourne bunnies were behind her to a man. (and women too)
posted by jonathanstrange at 9:12 PM on August 6, 2009
And as an aside, how lovely is goshling? She came up with her scheme, and the rest of us melbourne bunnies were behind her to a man. (and women too)
posted by jonathanstrange at 9:12 PM on August 6, 2009
Please do not drink from the glowstick or microwave yourself.
However, I do want to know when the extra superpowers eventually kick in. My mom got bitten by a brown recluse when she was young, and I'm under orders to not reveal her superpowers to the general public. Sadly, they are not hereditary, but I do have a strange bond with spiders in my area. They guard my door and upper corners, but understand they are not allowed in the "human zones." Otherwise, they enter the squish zone.
Having seen your photos, I know what your primary one is anyway. Most excellent B/W.
posted by lilywing13 at 4:10 AM on August 7, 2009
However, I do want to know when the extra superpowers eventually kick in. My mom got bitten by a brown recluse when she was young, and I'm under orders to not reveal her superpowers to the general public. Sadly, they are not hereditary, but I do have a strange bond with spiders in my area. They guard my door and upper corners, but understand they are not allowed in the "human zones." Otherwise, they enter the squish zone.
Having seen your photos, I know what your primary one is anyway. Most excellent B/W.
posted by lilywing13 at 4:10 AM on August 7, 2009
Those are some pretty impressive wounds. Spider venom can be quite nasty, especially the kinds that have cytoxic/necrotic venom. I had a bite on my ankle from a small spider and it took close to half a year to heal.
posted by plinth at 7:24 AM on August 7, 2009
posted by plinth at 7:24 AM on August 7, 2009
I don't know what a schmoopy is.
You'd have to ask Jessamyn. I'm just running with it.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:33 AM on August 7, 2009
You'd have to ask Jessamyn. I'm just running with it.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:33 AM on August 7, 2009
The Lee Valley long-handled spider catcher, though I fail to see the appeal of releasing the long-legged, outdoorsy bastards who infiltrate my home. Evolutionary pressures must demand they learn to stay outside. Also, I calculate it to be approximately 7.825' too short for the the people who will most need it.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:34 AM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by five fresh fish at 8:34 AM on August 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
That's right, everybody pay attention! NOBODY LISTEN TO ME!
I think I'm doing it wrong
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 10:26 AM on August 7, 2009
I think I'm doing it wrong
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 10:26 AM on August 7, 2009
I got bit by a brown recluse when I was 6. I have a spot on my arm that is about the size of a drinking straw hole. My arm swelled to two or three times the size of a normal 6 year old's arm. There was some talk about me perhaps losing the arm, but thankfully that didn't play out.
Every now and again, I'll go on a pictures bender and look at these bites. No real proof of my bite exists (no pics), so I have to vicariously live through the photographic evidence of other people's bites. Yuck!
Mine was identified almost right away, and both my parents had a medical background/professions, so I got treatment nearly immediately.
Years later I wrote a whole cycle of poems around this incident, and then made an artsy chapbook out of them. Someday, when I get my home recording setup back up and running, I plan to create audio for the poems.
posted by cjorgensen at 10:34 AM on August 7, 2009
Every now and again, I'll go on a pictures bender and look at these bites. No real proof of my bite exists (no pics), so I have to vicariously live through the photographic evidence of other people's bites. Yuck!
Mine was identified almost right away, and both my parents had a medical background/professions, so I got treatment nearly immediately.
Years later I wrote a whole cycle of poems around this incident, and then made an artsy chapbook out of them. Someday, when I get my home recording setup back up and running, I plan to create audio for the poems.
posted by cjorgensen at 10:34 AM on August 7, 2009
pjern, I'm following this a bit late, but I wanted to say that I'm very happy you're healing. Man, seriously. The photos are five kinds of awesome, by the way -- thanks for indulging our icky!cool! side.
And you know, this site really kicks it; it's true. Salt of the fucking earth, all of you.
posted by heyho at 2:09 PM on August 7, 2009
And you know, this site really kicks it; it's true. Salt of the fucking earth, all of you.
posted by heyho at 2:09 PM on August 7, 2009
I keep pulling up that first picture hoping its contents will become sensical. A giant hole. In your back. Filled with gauze. I'm just sitting here with my mouth agape while my brain tries to load the program but the little hourglass just keeps spinning and spinning.
I even watched a centipede eat a bat.
...link please.
posted by granted at 8:18 PM on August 7, 2009
I even watched a centipede eat a bat.
...link please.
posted by granted at 8:18 PM on August 7, 2009
I am so scared of spiders now. OH MY GOD. I didn't think that kind of damage was even possible. I am so ignorant.
posted by anniecat at 9:16 PM on August 7, 2009
posted by anniecat at 9:16 PM on August 7, 2009
From wikipedia, with regard to the brown recluse:
These spiders frequently build their webs in woodpiles and sheds, closets, beds, garages, plenum, cellars and other places that are dry and generally undisturbed. They seem to favor cardboard when dwelling in human residences, possibly because it mimics the rotting tree bark which they inhabit naturally. They also tend to be found in shoes.
I've now proceeded to set fire to my house in an attempt to make sure there are no evil spiders lurking in my bed and/or clothing. I expect this will result in total destruction of the surrounding area. Acceptable collateral damage.
posted by Justinian at 8:11 AM on August 8, 2009 [2 favorites]
These spiders frequently build their webs in woodpiles and sheds, closets, beds, garages, plenum, cellars and other places that are dry and generally undisturbed. They seem to favor cardboard when dwelling in human residences, possibly because it mimics the rotting tree bark which they inhabit naturally. They also tend to be found in shoes.
I've now proceeded to set fire to my house in an attempt to make sure there are no evil spiders lurking in my bed and/or clothing. I expect this will result in total destruction of the surrounding area. Acceptable collateral damage.
posted by Justinian at 8:11 AM on August 8, 2009 [2 favorites]
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At any rate, glad you are feeling better.
posted by amro at 8:05 PM on August 5, 2009