(Thread from Diabetes)

#: 759695 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 08-Oct-97  08:46:22 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Ron Baslock 72570,1114 To: All Replies: 3    TID: 107821
	Par: 0         Chd: 759705    Sib: 0

Went swimming on Labor Day and cut a 1/2" gash in my big toe while walking to
deeper water.   Cleaned it out well with phisohex and it has been healing
pretty normally since then.  However, in the last couple of days it has
started looking a little reddish and a mound is building under it that is
whitish with the red tinge around the whitish part.  The cut is mostly healed
but is right in the middle of the mound. Does this sound like something that a
round of anti-biotics can fix or should it be handled more agressively?

Ron


#: 759705 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 08-Oct-97  09:46:00 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-Curtise McKenzie 71172,2135 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	(X) Replies: 1    TID: 107821    Par: 759695    Chd: 759753    Sib: 759750

Ron, call the doctor!  Right now!  Don't mess around with your feets!


#: 759753 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 08-Oct-97  14:25:06 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Ron Baslock 72570,1114 To: SYSOP-Curtise McKenzie 71172,2135
	(X) Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 759705    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>> Ron, call the doctor!  Right now!  Don't mess around with your feets! <<

Curtise and All:

I suspected that a degree of seriousness was involved here when the toe
started to look angry a couple of days ago.  Until then it all looked like a
normal healing process taking place and I did check it every night.

I see the doc in a couple of hours and will insist that a wait and see
approach is not going to be satisfactory.

Thanks for the conformations.

Ron


#: 759814 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 08-Oct-97  21:49:21 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-Karen Dare 75401,3566 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 759753    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Ron... I'm glad you are going to see a doc today... I assume you have already
been there by now?  And the word is?  (Crossing fingers that even with the
delay you caught things in time.)  <HUGS>

Peace.... Speak Truth to Power.... Karen


#: 759942 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  11:52:01 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Ron Baslock 72570,1114 To: SYSOP-Karen Dare 75401,3566
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 759814    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>>  And the word is?  (Crossing fingers that even with the delay you caught
things in time.) <<

Well no, the crossed fingers usually work but not this time, thanks for
trying.  The cut was a lot deeper than even the family doc thought when he cut
it open for cleaning in his office yesterday afternoon.  This AM a bone doc
looked at x-rays and said hospital Monday for a good solid bone scraping.  Am
in the middle of a bone scan now so he can see how much is necessary but says
that the prognosis is good.

  The bone doc said that even had I gone to a doc the day I did it, he would
  have cleansed it as best as possible (my nurse wife did that) and told me to
  watch it.  For the next 4 weeks it looked like it was healing fine, but then
  Monday it looked like bad things were happening.

The only other thing I could have done was to take a jolt of antibiotics when
it happened and that may not have helped.  And it is not a good idea to take
anti-biotics for every little scratch.

  Look folks, we do as good a job as we can with DM and deal with the stuff
  that comes up.  A long time ago I wrote a Creed for this forum and its
  disease and I suppose it is in the libraries somewhere.  I still feel now as
  I did then, this disease will not conquer me, I will prudently do the things
  of life and put up with the consequences that DM causes.

Otherwise I may as well end it all now, if I have to sit in the middle of the
bed for the rest of my life to assure that everything will be safe with no
dire outcomes.

Ron


#: 759961 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  12:59:23 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-BrookeDisbrow 76711,1671 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 759942    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>> and said hospital Monday for a good solid bone scraping.  Am in the middle
of a bone scan now so he can see how much is necessary but says that the
prognosis is good. <<

Ron,

        Good luck with your deep cut treatment! And ask for strong pain
		killers just in case. A bone scraping doesn't sound like fun. <shiver>

        Please keep us posted.

Brooke


#: 759990 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  15:14:07 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Ron Baslock 72570,1114 To: SYSOP-BrookeDisbrow 76711,1671
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 759961    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>> ! And ask for strong pain killers just in case. <<

You know, Brooke, it is kind of ironic how things work.  Yesterday at my
family doc's he said he'd have to open up this wound to see what was going on.
He said the novocaine would hurt and the cutting would only hurt a little once
the novocaine took hold. Well I didn't feel the novocaine being injected and
even though he cut out a hunk of meat I never felt anything.

The irony is that DM, through neurapathy, takes away the sensation of pain and
then causes things to happen that produce pain, but, you can't feel it because
you have DM which causes neurapathy......round and round you go.

I'll be back on line on Tuesday with a report.  The prognosis is excellent at
the present time for a full recovery except maybe, perhaps some stiffining of
my big toe joint.

Ron

by the way, How are things with you, still keeping healthy after that last
bout?


#: 760019 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  16:18:04 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-BrookeDisbrow 76711,1671 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 759990    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>> The irony is that DM, through neurapathy, takes away the sensation of pain
<<

Oh geeeeez. What a silver lining, huh? <hug>

>> by the way, How are things with you, still keeping healthy after that last
bout? <<

Uh... no. :(

Brooke


#: 760071 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  21:01:03 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Ron Baslock 72570,1114 To: SYSOP-BrookeDisbrow 76711,1671
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760019    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>> Uh... no. :( <<

Uh....no.....as in:  " it sucks but I can put up with it"

or

Uh... no.....as in:  "Damn this is putting a serious crimp in my life style"

I hope the first definition covers it.

This big toe thing is in the first category.  If everything fails after Monday
the worst that happens is I lose a big toe.  Serious but not life style
crimping.  Unlike a friend of mine who used a lawn mower to do his, I would
hire a doctor and go to an operating room.  Much neater and someone else
cleans up the mess.<G>

Ron


#: 760075 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  21:19:25 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-BrookeDisbrow 76711,1671 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760071    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>> Unlike a friend of mine who used a lawn mower to do his, <<

Aaaaack!!


#: 760223 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  09:48:24 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-Karen Dare 75401,3566 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760071    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>> Much neater and someone else cleans up the mess.<G> <<

Sentiments I couldn't have put better. <G>

Peace.... Speak Truth to Power.... Karen


#: 760222 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  09:48:23 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-Karen Dare 75401,3566 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 759990    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Ron...

You are so right about the neuropathy business.  Sort of a cruel kindness? The
inability to sense pain allows the injury to happen in the first place... but
that same insensitivity then prevents us from experiencing any pain of
treatment and recovery. <sigh>

When I had my toe amputated, I KNEW I would not feel it.  The surgeon agreed,
but made me agree to a shot of novocaine and a sedative.  When I spoke with
the anesthesiologist during my work-up he FREAKED!  Just could NOT fathom such
a thing.  Tried to talk me into a spinal.  Yeah, right!

Another time i was in the er for a cut under my toe that required stitches.  I
told the doc to skip the shot and do the sewing.  She was a nervous wreck...
kept asking if she were hurting me.  Everyone just stood around with their
mouths hanging open in amazement.  Great conversation starter in a storm, eh?
And... I think you tend to see things as I do...  while it isn't the least bit
funny to deal with dm and its bag of tricks, you do have to keep things in
perspective and maintain a sense of humour and use it for all it's worth.

<HUGS>.... still expecting a full report on Tuesday! <G>

Peace.... Speak Truth to Power.... Karen


#: 760214 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  09:23:28 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-Paula DuBourdieu 73021,567 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 759942    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Dear Ron,

      Glad to hear you were able to see someone quickly and the doctor got
	  right on the job.  Looking back doesn't move us much forward and who can
	  know whether anything would have been done differently before now?  From
	  what the bone doctor said, it probably wouldn't have been handled any
	  differently, so how good that he was honest about that and didn't add a
	  bunch of chastising nonsense to the situation.   It seems like the key
	  thing is that when you observed something wasn't right, you acted on it,
	  and you are getting good help now.

      I hope the scan gives good news, the Monday procedure goes easily and
	  you're on the mend speedily!

			Paula


#: 759750 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 08-Oct-97  13:58:13 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-Karen Dare 75401,3566 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114 (X)
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 759695    Chd: 0         Sib: 759751

Ron... listen to Curtise!  See a doctor!  NOW!

I lost a toe as a result of a foot wound which I was *taking care of* myself.
When I finally got medical attention, infection had enetered the bone.  Six
months of grief and efforts to save the toe ended with the amputation.

I always felt kinda silly running to the dr with every little scratch and cut.
Always in the past it had been nothing to worry about.  How was I to know that
this time was different?  I should have depended on the person with the
education... the one being paid to know.  <sigh>

I hope that your wound turns out to be *no big deal*... but PLEASE let a dr
decide that?  <hugs>

Peace.... Speak Truth to Power.... Karen


#: 759751 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 08-Oct-97  13:59:20 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-Paula DuBourdieu 73021,567 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	(X) Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 759695    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Dear Ron,

      I'd urge a very aggressive response, whatever you do.  There is, to me,
	  no point in not being aggressive in fighting infection right away.   We
	  cannot afford to let it get entrenched or spread, because it is even
	  more difficult to deal with then.   If it were me, I'd get a doctor to
	  look at it right away and, if there is sign of infection, have it
	  cultured for sensitivity/responsiveness so that I'd get on the best
	  antibiotic treatment for it.   It has been more than a month now and so,
	  if there is sign of infection, you don't want to let this build.

	Hoping you can see someone today,

		Paula


#: 760049 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  19:55:11 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Candice J Monks 110500,2004 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114 (X)
	Replies: 1    TID: 107821    Par: 759695    Chd: 760068    Sib: 0

Dude, get it looked at!

Back in April of this year I had a measly little blister on the ball of my
foot from a pair of bad-fitting shoes. It popped and turned into one of those
foot ulcers. Thankfully it has ALMOST healed after SIX months. You can save
yourself a lot of trouble, heartache and money if you get it treated now.  Let
me know what happens OK?

Candy <S>


#: 760068 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  20:36:19 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Conrad Kageyama 76703,1010 To: Candice J Monks 110500,2004
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760049    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Uh, Candy...  whatsa "foot ulcer".  I've read about them but have absolutely
no idea what they are, look like, etc...  connie


#: 760073 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  21:09:26 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-BrookeDisbrow 76711,1671 To: Conrad Kageyama
	76703,1010 Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760068    Chd: 0         Sib:
	0

>>  whatsa "foot ulcer".  I've read about them but have absolutely no idea
what they are, look like, etc... <<

We have pictures of them in the Complications library: ===================
[75401,3566] SYSOP-Karen Dare         Lib: 8 ULCER1.JPG Jpg,  Bytes:    12721,
Count:    18, 19-Jul-97

  Title   : Foot Ulcer Photo Keywords: ULCER WOUND FOOT SORE NON-HEALING KAREN
  DARE

  Photo of sysop Karen Dare's foot w/ulcer after about 3  months of treatment.
  (June 1997)  This foot saga was WITH prompt attantion on the part of  the
  patient. =================== [73622,1162] Lee Mann                 Lib: 8
  FOOT.GIF Gif,  Bytes:   179857, Count:    49, 01-Jul-96

  Title   : Lee's Foot Keywords: LEE WOUND FOOT

  This is a photo of my foot taken a week after surgery. It is now about fifty
  percent better (June 30, 1996. ====================


#: 760122 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  23:54:27 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Conrad Kageyama 76703,1010 To: SYSOP-BrookeDisbrow
	76711,1671 Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760073    Chd: 0         Sib:
	0

Okay, thanx.  I'll download those puppies in just a couple of minutes...
connie


#: 760106 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  22:56:26 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Candice J Monks 110500,2004 To: Conrad Kageyama 76703,1010
	(X) Replies: 2    TID: 107821    Par: 760068    Chd: 760124    Sib: 760225

Ooooooooh.

I dont exactly understand them myself. I've always been told I have excellent
circulation to my feet and good strong pulses there, too. In diabetics
sometimes neuropathy keeps us from realizing we have a small cut or scratch on
the footsy or footsies. So we dont know it til its infected and/or ready to
drop off. My foot ulcer came from a shoe blister that burst. It didnt hurt so
I didnt pay much attention to it. I've had them (shoe blisters) before and
they healed just fine. It stayed an open, gaping hole on the ball of my foot
for nearly six minths and it is just now healing. You can bet I will watch my
feet EVERY DAY from now on. I was also told that I would not be elgible for
the transplant as long as it is an open sore.

I saw in the forum library under "Complications" a picture of someone's foot
ulcer. Take a look sometime. Mine was not near that big but had the potential
to go that far.

Hopefully I helped. If I can ever help clarify anything , please let me know.
I dont have all the answers, but between everyone in this forum, I'm sure
someone somewhere does.

Candy


#: 760124 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  23:55:06 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Conrad Kageyama 76703,1010 To: Candice J Monks 110500,2004
	(X) Replies: 1    TID: 107821    Par: 760106    Chd: 760211    Sib: 760226

Thanx, Candy.  I got a reference to the lib photos and will take a look..
connie


#: 760211 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  08:38:05 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Candice J Monks 110500,2004 To: Conrad Kageyama 76703,1010
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760124    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Hi Connie. Good morning. Did ya see the pix yet? If I already hadnt had a foot
ulcer encounter, I'd think "that'll never happen to me".

It very well could have and could still. Yikes.

Watch those feet!

Have a great day.<S>

Candy


#: 760226 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  09:49:07 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-Karen Dare 75401,3566 To: Candice J Monks 110500,2004
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760106    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Candy... don't you love it?  I am always told that I have excellent
circulation and pulses in my feet as well.  Don't you think that should
influence SOMETHING?  <wishful thinking>  I have to believe that it would be
worse if that were not the case.  I guess you feel kinda the same?

Oh, and... that's my photo... gross, eh?  I have more to add... some still
need to be developed.  I wasn't sure how I felt about putting them in the
library, but I hoped that somebody could benefit/learn something from them.

<HUGS>

Peace.... Speak Truth to Power.... Karen


#: 760225 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  09:49:04 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-Karen Dare 75401,3566 To: Conrad Kageyama 76703,1010
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760068    Chd: 0         Sib: 760240

Connie... if you look in the section 8 library, I have a photo of my foot
ulcer, taken a while back.  It starts like a blister, then goes deeper into
the tissue.  Diabetics are infamous for them... and their disinterest in
healing.

Peace.... Speak Truth to Power.... Karen


#: 760240 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  10:14:06 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-John Davis 73455,43 To: Conrad Kageyama 76703,1010
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760068    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

> Foot Ulcer <

Foot... You know that.  Ulcer = Open sore

So. A foot ulcer is an open sore on the foot.

Of course that does nothing to show what a foot ulcer can be.  I see others
have shown you to the picture.


#: 760072 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  21:01:04 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Ron Baslock 72570,1114 To: Candice J Monks 110500,2004
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760049    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>>  Let me know what happens OK? <<

Keep watching this section Candy, the fireworks begin Monday.  A bone
scrapping at 8 am, a day of IV antibiotics, a night in the hospital while the
antibiotics drip and home at noon Tuesday.

All because I floated up to some rocks at the beach and pushed off from them
to get back to deeper water on vacation during the Labor Day break.

ron


#: 760104 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 09-Oct-97  22:43:08 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Candice J Monks 110500,2004 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760072    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Hi Ron.

I will most definately keep u in my thoughts. DIABETES AND EVERYTHING ABOUT IT
SUCKS!  My dr in TX was also worried that my foot ulcer had worked its way
into the bone, but I was lucky and it hadnt. It hasnt totally healed and I've
been that I wont get transplanted (kidney/pancreas) if it has not closed all
the way. All that trouble just because I had a favorite pair of heeled shoes.
Is that such a big mistake? I'm 29 and have been on insulin 22 years, most of
them fairly healthy (except those good ol' teen years) and I have a hard time
facing that this has all made full circle and it's back to haunt me. Little
things are big things now (scratches, the flu, etc) but the rebel in me will
not bow down to the beast. I sense a fighter spirit in you, too.

My best to you and your wife. Good luck on Monday. Maybe I can come up with
some good jokes for ya to read when you get home Tuesday. Or maybe your wife
can print them and take them to you while you are being infiltrated with
antibiotics.

Your friend, Candy


#: 760224 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  09:49:00 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-Karen Dare 75401,3566 To: Candice J Monks 110500,2004
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760049    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Candy..

You too?  I had a teensy little blister in March... after a summer in a cast
it had finally started to heal.. then yesterday?  WHAMMO!  The original ulcer
kinda started looking lousy and has cloned itself right next door!  Result? An
emergency visit to the podiatrist, some trimming and cleaning, and now I'm
back to bandaging and muttering unkind things about dm under my breath. <sigh>
NOTHING is easy about this business.

btw... I have been reading your posts, and have been remiss in not welcoming
you to the forum sooner.  I have been in my own funk about this foot business,
and kind of out of sync with everything.

Will write more later. <hugs>

Peace.... Speak Truth to Power.... Karen


(Message in Diabetes)

#: 760302 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  15:59:12 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Conrad Kageyama 76703,1010 To: Candice J Monks 110500,2004
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760211    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

yah, Candy, I downloaded them right afterwards.  They definitely weren't
"before meal appetizers"..<grin>...  connie


(Message in Diabetes)

#: 760305 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  15:59:22 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Conrad Kageyama 76703,1010 To: SYSOP-Karen Dare 75401,3566
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760225    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Right!  I got both pics last night (yours and Lee's).  Not very appetizing.
Good thing it was AFTER dinner..<bg>...  connie


(Message in Diabetes)

#: 760306 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  15:59:25 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Conrad Kageyama 76703,1010 To: SYSOP-John Davis 73455,43
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760240    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Yah, John, I had put the definition together but I couldn't picture it.  I
didn't know if it was just a little blister size thing that just didn't heal
or what.  NOW I know we're talking about a major hole being created.  Thanx!..
connie


(Message in Diabetes)

#: 760323 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  16:56:13 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-Karen Dare 75401,3566 To: SYSOP-Lenore Gould
	104125,504 (X) Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760256    Chd: 0 Sib: 0

Yes, Lee.... again.

It doesn't look deep at all so far... I'm thinking good thoughts so hard that
my head hurts!  At first I just kind of mentally checked out and was pretty
depressed.  I have spent most of today sleeping, and I think it has helped my
head a lot.  Being tired does not help at all.

Thank you SO much for the <hugses>.  They are very much needed... and
appreciated.  Michael is driving us to see Noah tomorrow.  I think that will
go a long ways to cheer me up as well. <S>

Peace.... Speak Truth to Power.... Karen


(Message in Diabetes)

#: 760388 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  20:22:07 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: WIZOP-Dave Groves 76703,4223 To: SYSOP-BrookeDisbrow
	76711,1671 Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760073    Chd: 0         Sib:
	0

We also have some from the circulator boot folks, if memory serves me, Brooke.


(Message in Diabetes)

#: 760411 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  21:35:09 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: WIZOP-Dave Groves 76703,4223 To: SYSOP-Karen Dare 75401,3566
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760226    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Wooo, my foot circulation has been weak for ever and weakened further when
they installed the human insulin caused artificial femur and kept me in a cast
till both legs atrophied.  Very strange.


(Message in Diabetes)

#: 760387 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  20:22:05 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: WIZOP-Dave Groves 76703,4223 To: Conrad Kageyama 76703,1010
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760068    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

We have some pictures here in our library, Connie, but they are NOT for those
with queazy stomachs. <sigh>


(Message in Diabetes)

#: 760341 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 10-Oct-97  19:21:02 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Candice J Monks 110500,2004 To: SYSOP-Karen Dare 75401,3566
	(X) Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760323    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Karen... Thanx for the note. Man, what can I say? Good luck with that foot! I
know it's frustrating and it's so unfair! Mine also tried to clone itself on
the side of the foot but never could quite do it. I saw a podiatrist who fit
me for some kind of special shoes and I never went to get them. They never
called. I was taking Cipro and Veetids and the combination had me barfing like
there was no tomorrow. I asked if I could get the penicillin in a shot and he
told me I'd have to go to the ER to get it daily or have a home health nurse
come to my house. I have locked horns with the poeople in the ER at the
hospital I must use for my insurance and wouldnt go there. And NO WAY would I
have a nurse come to my house. They wouldnt even give me a time she'd be there
and I wasnt going to sit around all day when I had to work and run errands. So
I went back t taking the pills and being sick . It looks much much better now
and has an eency weency ways to go and it will close up. I'm not out of the
woods, though, and I dont trust the thing. Never again will I take my feet for
granted. I hope that yours gets better. I really do. It sucks doesnt it? You
have a sympathetic set of eyes and ears right here and if you need to let off
steam, you know where to find me. My email address is:
candycane@compuserve.com or s58530@richland.cc.il.us. Let me help if I can.

Heard anymore from Ron? I hope he does okay. None of us deserve this, but in a
way I think it is a test of our strength.

Drop in when you can and I'll do the same. You gotta friend here.

<<hugs>>,

Candy

============= After the Surgery =============

#: 761425 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 15-Oct-97  09:17:09 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Ron Baslock 72570,1114 To: Candice J Monks 110500,2004
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 760104    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>> Little things are big things now (scratches, the flu, etc) but the rebel in
me will not bow down to the beast. I sense a fighter spirit in you, too. <<

Candy and everyone else who wrote,

Thanks for the nice thoughts.  You are right, the fight is on!

 It is Wednesday and the last two days were both downers but we survive and
 press on.  The bone doc not only scrapped the one toe bone but found softness
 in the bone that leads from the big toe joint to your ankle so he had to cut
 away some of it too.  This means that I cannot put full weight on it for 6
 weeks and have to hobble around on my heel or crutches.  In addition, the
 consulting infection doc said that since I had cut my toe under water at the
 lake he had to take an extreme course of action since the bad things that
 live in the lake can also easily live in a body.  There fore, I'm on IV
 antibiotics for 6 weeks also, twice a day. Now there's a new skill I didn't
 want to learn.  Self administered IV's <GG>  But I did.  It is fairly easy
 with all the new doo dads that the medical world has available.

Anyway, there is an 80% chance all will be well after this period and no more
cutting will be needed.  Kind of funny, he said had I cut my little toe
instead of the weight bearing great toe, they would have cut it off and none
of this hobbling and IV's would be required.  So let that be a lesson to us
all, pick your wounds carefully.

ron

This too will pass away.



#: 761442 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 15-Oct-97  10:31:11 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-BrookeDisbrow 76711,1671 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 761425    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Ron,

        Oh my gosh! You are in the middle of a nasty adventure. <hug>

Brooke



#: 761448 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 15-Oct-97  11:15:11 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: Ron Baslock 72570,1114 To: SYSOP-BrookeDisbrow 76711,1671
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 761442    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>>  Oh my gosh! You are in the middle of a nasty adventure. <hug> <<

That's true but one just grits his teeth and gets on with it.  We'll do what
is necessary to get this fixed.  Otherwise why bother?

by the way, this may be a good spot for a little tale.

About 7 years ago a friend was diagnosed with DM.  I tried to get him to take
insulin and do all the things we take for granted anymore,  but he said he
wasn't going to do anything other than watch what he ate.  I actually bought
insulin and was prepare to teach him how to use it since he did not go to
doctors.  He told me to get out of his house with that crap.  I felt bad but
did his bidding.

Today, his legs are blue to his knees, he cannot move his hands which are in a
cupped position.  He has lost 100 pounds and looks like death warmed over.  He
probably has a short time to live in my estimation.  Mean while I have had DM
three times longer than him, act and feel like a normal person, have a few
beginning symptoms of DM's ravages but am handling them as they occur and will
probably live another 15 or 20 years into my 70's.

So while we have extremely poor tools to work with, ie, insulins and testing
and all that, it is a whale of a lot better than doing nothing and letting
nature run its course.

ron



#: 761454 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 15-Oct-97  12:12:02 Sb: Is there an
	easy Fix? Fm: SYSOP-BrookeDisbrow 76711,1671 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	Replies: 0    TID: 107821    Par: 761448    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>> one just grits his teeth and gets on with it.  We'll do what is necessary
to get this fixed.  Otherwise why bother? <<

That's my philosophy, too, as you know. :)

>> So while we have extremely poor tools to work with, ie, insulins and
testing and all that, it is a whale of a lot better than doing nothing and
letting nature run its course. <<

Excellent observation. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend - we find many
people choose this disastrous route. We hear mostly from their spouses. :(

Brooke

============ (Thread from Diabetes)

#: 763958 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 26-Oct-97  03:56:19 Sb: Healing
	Foot Fm: SYSOP-Paula DuBourdieu 73021,567 To: Ron Baslock 72570,1114
	Replies: 0    TID: 108385    Par: 0         Chd: 0         Sib: 0

Dear Ron,

      I hope you're seeing some good healing and things seem to be going well,

				Paula


#: 764197 S8/Complications  (CIS:DIABETES) 27-Oct-97  09:17:04 Sb: Healing
	Foot Fm: Ron Baslock 72570,1114 To: SYSOP-Paula DuBourdieu 73021,567
	Replies: 0    TID: 108385    Par: 763958    Chd: 0         Sib: 0

>>  I hope you're seeing some good healing and things seem to be going well,
<<

Time for a news update, pictures at 10!<G>

I have two incisions on my big toe.  One at bunion level and one nearer the
tow nail.  These were put there 2 weeks ago today (on the 13th of all things)
to cut out a bone infection received 4 weeks earlier when I cut my toe on some
glass while swimming.

So far the healing is going pretty good, no pain, and no redness.  Looking
good as far as the wounds are concerned.  The infection, hopefully, is being
taken care of by two doses a day of an oral antibiotic and two doses a day of
IV antibiotic.  This ritual will continue for 6 weeks to assure that there are
no bugs left.  The oral part is OK but the IV's required a PICC line.  Instead
of getting stuck 2 times a day with the IV needle, an impossibility since it
would take over 80 sticks, or a Herperin lock cathetor which is left in place
for 3 days and then moved, also a pain, the PICC can be left in for the entire
6 weeks.

It is stuck in you in an operating room environment.  It enters a vein near
the inside of an elbow and is threaded inside the vein to the big vein that
goes to the heart.  It is 18" long and stops 1/2" from the heart cavity.  Kind
of interesting to watch it snake thru you to its final position.  The doc used
a flouroscope so he (and I) could tell when it was in the proper position.
The outer end just hangs out of your skin for the 6 weeks and is used twice a
day to hook up the IV drip line.  In 6 weeks they will pull it out and that
will be the end of it.

That probably is more than you wanted to know about this whole affair isn't
it.  The new rules in my house are shoes when walking outside and ***never***
step anywhere you can't see what you are stepping on, especially if you don't
have the protection of shoes.

ron