The Blaine Chronicles

Day 12 and my hands have finally healed enough that they unwrapped my fingers and I can type again!

I’ll try to abbreviate the story from Day One. Well, it all really started on Day -3. I have always been subject to a type of eczama called dishydrotic contact dermatitis… it’s a pain in the butt… it hurts and itches and mostly just looks like dry skin. Despite the name, it is not a product of touching anything but rather flares up with stress or illness. I immediately called our team physician who prescribed me with some prescription strength hydro-cortizone to try to clear it up before I left for camp.

I began to apply the stuff to my hands twice a day as the prescription called for but they didn’t seem to be getting better… rather, worse. On Sunday, the night before I was meant to leave for camp I applied the lotion before bed, woke up with a cold sweat and my hands had completely blistered up and in excruciating pain.

Monday morning, I drove to Norwood where Jen and I were taping a USA Hockey skills unable to hold a stick or even really put my gloves on I managed 4 or 5 cuts before the producer called the shoot and sent me to the Emergency Room where they determined I had 3rd degree chemical burns, hooked me up to and IV, dressed my hands and gave me some high quality pain meds ☺.

I spend the full first 9 days of camp in the training room with both hands dressed from elbow to finger tips unable to participate in anything. They think there was something mixed incorrectly in the prescription or I am suddenly allergic to it.

The last 3 or 4 days things have been looking up. I can’t “Grip” anything but have been able to participate in the weight room and do some cardio. I’ve skated (strictly skating, no stick) twice and yesterday talked the doc into letting me practice. It didn’t go as bad as he had anticipated so… maybe again tomorrow! My dressings are now just down to latex and cotton gloves so I can use/move my fingers…

Other than not playing I’ll have to admit I am having a good time. Our team labeled “the U30 team” is practicing, lifting and playing some games against our U18 and U22 teams. Right now I am writing you from “the battlefield” (picture below). We came paintballing as a team activity and I came, but obviously can’t play. Even the coaches are playing. So funny.

Check out the photos!

Chanda