my dad lost a toe.

[dar917]

Well, my dad just had one of his toes removed last night. He had gone to the podiatrist a couple of months ago and he reckons he trimmed it too short and it got infected again. He had had the very end of it taken off a couple years ago and it had been fine since. This time they took the whole thing. He is still in the hospital, probably going home tomorrow. He sounded fine when I talked to him earlier; said it was better that it was just a toe than the whole foot.

My parents live about 45 miles away. My dad is 60, been diabetic for 31 years. Considering his numbers are all over the place a lot I think he's pretty lucky. He's got nerve damage and his eyes are getting worse but his feet have been in worse shape. He used to get ulcers on the bottom of his feet; he'd been in the hospital a couple of times for them when I was younger, and had his foot in a hyperbaric chamber.

So yeah....he hasn't had his other hip replaced yet; for now he's able to get by on Aleve and stuff. I don't know where I was going with this; just wanted to tell people who understand. :o

[princesslinda]

Dar, I'm really sorry to hear about your dad's struggles. I went through the same sort of things with my mom...and its hard to see your parent in a situation like this. Hopefully this will be a "wakeup call" for him to keep his numbers better stabilized. He's right though, losing a toe is much better than a foot or leg. Glad he's got a good attitude about things.

You hang in as well!

<<<Hugs>>>
Linda

[morrisma]

Dar,
Really sorry your dad had this happen. This kind of thing keeps me motivated to stay in better control. Hope you & your family are ok.

[fgummett]

My thoughts are with you... a toe may not sound like much but I imagine you are torn between your own feelings (I would be more than a little scared for myself) and concern for your Father. I'm glad he seems to have a good attitude about it and hopefully it will help him to get back on track and I'm sure will motivate you. 60 is not old but remember for a large part of his life he didn't have the technological help we have these days with the newer insulins, medications, studies and most importantly, access to home testing.
I wish you well
~Frank

[birdyland]

I'm sorry. My condolences to him and you....


My dad has no toes on one foot. Diabetes, complicated by MRSA (a super staff), and a spider bite.

It sucks... but one toe usually doesn't do too bad for balance. Hope your dad is back in tip top shape in no time!

[dar917]

Thanks. :) Yeah, I think since I was diagnosed he's been trying a lot harder. He started splitting his Lantus as well but his numbers still go all over the place. His brother and cousin are the same way. I don't know if it has anything to do with being on N and R insulin for so many years and not being in control and not testing. :confused: He also takes Byetta and Alli.

[Kim_in_TN]

I am very sorry to hear of your Dad's toe amputation. It must be very hard to see him having such complications from his diabetes. All you can do is be sure that you keep yours under control! Please do continue to share with us ... we're all in this together! ;)

[Jan B]

I'm sorry Dar. Just to be a little different here . . . sometimes we do everything we can right, and bad things still happen. Usually if you take good care of yourself, complications won't be as bad . . . but we should still know that we'll never have total control when it comes to prevention. You did say your dad's control hasn't been great; I hope it gets better and he keeps his good attitude too.

[Lulika]

Dar, sorry to hear about your Dad. My best wishes, good karma and positive energy are winging their way over cyber space right now :)

[adiantum]

Poor Dar's Dad, One would think your in good hands with a podiatrist doing the trim. That man has a lovely positive attitude, so I'm sure he will cope. I'm wishing a speedy recovery for him.
(((Dar)))), It must be so frustrating for you being powerless to help him. Be sure to take care of you my DF friend.
Please keep us up to date with how your dad is

[ant hill]

Darlene!! I am so sorry that it had to be this way with your father as it just remind us how control is everything and for those who has control problems makes it even harder.

I think since I was diagnosed he's been trying a lot harder. He started splitting his Lantus as well but his numbers still go all over the place. His brother and cousin are the same way.
Darlene, I would get dad's Lantus up a notch. Have you seen the A1C's are like?

[davef]

Dar,

Sorry to hear about your Dad's problems, great to hear he is a positive type of person. Hope he makes a fast recovery from the operation.

[kgm0612]

I'm saddened to read your post and pray for a speedy recovery for your dad.

Karen

[dar917]

Darlene, I would get dad's Lantus up a notch. Have you seen the A1C's are like?

I think he takes like 50 units of Lantus a day. His last A1c was 7 something, I think he said 7.6, and it was usually around 7.3. He has a good DE/Endo working with him too.

(((everyone)))

[mzteacher]

dar,
i am so very sorry to hear of your dad's serious complications...good thoughts sent your way and his for a quick recovery....
susan

[pokie]

Sorry to hear about your Dad's toe. I had a scare at the beginning of the year, it actually ended up costing me my job. I had a blister that got infected and wouldn't heal. I am a machinist (yeah, crazy job for a girl!) and I could not wear a closed toed shoe on the infected foot; I had to take off work until it healed and I got fired (probably not legal for my company to do this; but that is another story) Anyways it would not heal... Three rounds of antibiotics and limited mobility for nearly a month before it even formed a good scab, and my sugar was all over the place (it was almost 400 when I went to my doc to have him look at the toe.) That was when I went on the Novolog in addition to my other meds. Got that toe healed, finally, and then my lovely big dog stepped on my foot and took a patch of skin off the adjacent toe! That one healed without infection, but slowly. This stuff with the feet is really scary to me. I have neuropathy and poor circulation.

[danlad72]

yup, similar poblems here
im on my 4th blister/ulcer in 6 months . Being positive is the hardest thing . i get really blue.
being here in UK has helped though as ive built up a stock of antibiotics so with the last one i just started a course myself,dressed the wound (lyofoam) and strapped on the old aircast. my wound care specialist says ive probably saved myslf about 2 months of treatment by doing things myself straighy away and not waiting a couple of days to see my GP( the blisters always happen on a friday!!!)
anyway my advice would be dont wait to deal with these things.