I decided that any real pirate needed a peg leg and a parrot on the shoulder, so I headed off to the local sawbones to have the essential work done. Here is my story.....
Actually, I alluded to a medical issue in another thread and a few questions and comments were posted, so I thought I'd share the details, for good or bad, because you are my "digital" (no pun intended) friends.
I've had some diabetic issues for several years. Due to extreme fear and loathing of our "health care" system, I've been slow to embrace their counsel. I skated by for a while but fate caught up with me.
I've had aggravated callouses on the balls of both feet behind toe #4 (the piggy without roast beef) since my 2nd year in the army, due to badly designed combat boots and miles & miles of abuse in the infantry.
About 2 years ago, I went on a hike with family that turned into an unexpected death march. I finished that day with a nasty sore on the right foot where the callous had previously resided.
After visiting the doctor, I learned that this wound was what they called a diabetic foot ulcer. A rather common but serious occurrence. Diabetes often comes with diabetic neuropathy, which, due to decreased blood flow and nerve damage, lessens feeling in the extremities. It often leads to these open wounds, as the subject can't even feel when a wound develops and only sees it later, if vigilant when changing or bathing and such. Those same conditions also slow healing, a double whammy.
We began treating the wound. It got better, it got worse, a two year battle. I was mentally prepared in advance for the worst outcome. My research on the matter informed me that 14% (1 in 7) of these cases resulted in some loss of limb.
About a month ago, the accompanying infection went hostile. It resisted the strongest antibiotic treatments applied and began to worsen. Two weeks ago, I reported to the hospital.
The joint behind that toe was devastated and infection was headed down the bone at a leisurely pace. The hospital tried a last minute Hail Mary approach, pumping every antibiotic known to man through me, around the clock, some times 2 or 3 at a time. Finally it was determined that the noninvasive approach was not working.
The next day, Doctor Satan went in and cut out toe #4, the joint behind it and as far up that bone as it took to remove infected bone, kind of a little pizza wedge out of my foot. More antibiotics and a day or two of wound vacuum treatment, they squeezed toes 3 and 5 together and stitched her up. Healing seems to be progressing at an acceptable rate. I am on an additional 5 weeks of IV antibiotic therapy at home to ward off any remaining bone infection issues.
I get to be at home and have the IV supplies delivered for self treatment, which is MUCH nicer than another month of medical solitary and round the clock torture.
Now, my right foot is narrower than my left and I can only count to 19 without dropping my pants.
As far as possible outcomes, I feel fortunate.
Some take-aways. Diet and exercise. Do it. A pipe in one hand and a sausage wrap in the other is not a balanced diet. Scrolling the mouse wheel does not constitute cardio activity. My physical activity was slowed by the 30 years of foot issues but I could have done more, also. Fuckin' hindsight.
Don't play around with blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. If your quack says you got issues concerning them, shut your pie hole and take notes. Unless you relish the possibility of living life like Lieutenant Dan.
Now, I am part of a true national epidemic and crisis. We are collectively digging our own graves, one forkful at a time. Contrary to the opinions of our national leaders, ketchup is not a vegetable.
On top of all that, I didn't even get a parrot. My cat won't even hang out, as she's scared of the crutches...
Be well and pipe on!
Actually, I alluded to a medical issue in another thread and a few questions and comments were posted, so I thought I'd share the details, for good or bad, because you are my "digital" (no pun intended) friends.
I've had some diabetic issues for several years. Due to extreme fear and loathing of our "health care" system, I've been slow to embrace their counsel. I skated by for a while but fate caught up with me.
I've had aggravated callouses on the balls of both feet behind toe #4 (the piggy without roast beef) since my 2nd year in the army, due to badly designed combat boots and miles & miles of abuse in the infantry.
About 2 years ago, I went on a hike with family that turned into an unexpected death march. I finished that day with a nasty sore on the right foot where the callous had previously resided.
After visiting the doctor, I learned that this wound was what they called a diabetic foot ulcer. A rather common but serious occurrence. Diabetes often comes with diabetic neuropathy, which, due to decreased blood flow and nerve damage, lessens feeling in the extremities. It often leads to these open wounds, as the subject can't even feel when a wound develops and only sees it later, if vigilant when changing or bathing and such. Those same conditions also slow healing, a double whammy.
We began treating the wound. It got better, it got worse, a two year battle. I was mentally prepared in advance for the worst outcome. My research on the matter informed me that 14% (1 in 7) of these cases resulted in some loss of limb.
About a month ago, the accompanying infection went hostile. It resisted the strongest antibiotic treatments applied and began to worsen. Two weeks ago, I reported to the hospital.
The joint behind that toe was devastated and infection was headed down the bone at a leisurely pace. The hospital tried a last minute Hail Mary approach, pumping every antibiotic known to man through me, around the clock, some times 2 or 3 at a time. Finally it was determined that the noninvasive approach was not working.
The next day, Doctor Satan went in and cut out toe #4, the joint behind it and as far up that bone as it took to remove infected bone, kind of a little pizza wedge out of my foot. More antibiotics and a day or two of wound vacuum treatment, they squeezed toes 3 and 5 together and stitched her up. Healing seems to be progressing at an acceptable rate. I am on an additional 5 weeks of IV antibiotic therapy at home to ward off any remaining bone infection issues.
I get to be at home and have the IV supplies delivered for self treatment, which is MUCH nicer than another month of medical solitary and round the clock torture.
Now, my right foot is narrower than my left and I can only count to 19 without dropping my pants.
As far as possible outcomes, I feel fortunate.
Some take-aways. Diet and exercise. Do it. A pipe in one hand and a sausage wrap in the other is not a balanced diet. Scrolling the mouse wheel does not constitute cardio activity. My physical activity was slowed by the 30 years of foot issues but I could have done more, also. Fuckin' hindsight.
Don't play around with blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. If your quack says you got issues concerning them, shut your pie hole and take notes. Unless you relish the possibility of living life like Lieutenant Dan.
Now, I am part of a true national epidemic and crisis. We are collectively digging our own graves, one forkful at a time. Contrary to the opinions of our national leaders, ketchup is not a vegetable.
On top of all that, I didn't even get a parrot. My cat won't even hang out, as she's scared of the crutches...
Be well and pipe on!
