Gangrene
@GardenGerty (157552)
United States
August 16, 2019 9:22pm CST
My dad has "dry gangrene" in two toes. He is diabetic. It is a bit of a story of how that happened, but both my brother and the doctor feel somewhat responsible.
He will lose parts of his toes. But the doctor wants to do things that will give him the best chance of healing after the surgery.
He was admitted to the hospital last night.
So that is one more concern for me, and something that needs good thoughts or prayers or blessings. I will keep you up to date.
21 people like this
23 responses
@xFiacre (12595)
• Ireland
17 Aug 19
@gardengerty I hope he recovers well. We only appreciate toes once they go wrong - like most of our bits and pieces.
6 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
He has already recently become too weak to walk. I imagine this will not bother him much. He has abused his feet and legs various ways since he was a lad of 19. I think that it is amazing that he has not lost more sooner.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
17 Aug 19
Dear God watch over Heather`s father and allow him a speedy recovery.Amen.
5 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
Thank you so much. I am sure the whole family appreciates it.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
17 Aug 19
I am sorry to hear this. However, it is only a portion of his toes? He will not lose all of the toe? Will this allow him to walk?
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
Lately he has lost the energy and strength to walk. I am wondering if it is because of the infection. My brother says it is the first joint of two toes on one foot. He is still able to bear weight to transfer to his wheel chair, or use a walker to go down the hall to his recliner and that likely will not change.
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum I do not know so much about gangrene either. When my mom had a heart attack and had to have veins from her legs used for her heart she got it. She had visiting nurses changing the dressings. They would not even let us be in the house when they did it and they wore masks so I got the impression that it could infect the air.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
17 Aug 19
@GardenGerty It could be because of the infection. I actually am not sure all that much about gangrene. It wont' ever go away, will it? But there will be sometimes when it isn't as bad? I hope that he will get some of his energy back soon.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
17 Aug 19
bless his heart :( i wish the best 'n quick healin'.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
It sounds like this may be quite a process to take care of. It is just the toe tips on two toes.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
@crazyhorseladycx Last parent I have left. I am now part of the "older" generation myself. He has done pretty well, was not diagnosed diabetic until his seventies, I think. When he was put on insulin, he got control of his meals and got off of it. He is pretty much a survivor.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
17 Aug 19
@GardenGerty danged the luck :( that diabetes 'tis a cruel disease to've. so much can go wrong 'n then when they try to fix such, more's likely to. keepin' him really close 't heart.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73408)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Aug 19
Sorry to hear that and my prayers to him for a speedy recovery,
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
Thanks so much. It seems to be one thing after another. I am glad it is not painful for him.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
17 Aug 19
they really should try the iodine if they haven't.
my husband had the same and his toes are now back to normal.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
I am not sure what they are doing, other than they will not do an amputation until they have improved the vascular condition of his legs and feet, maybe with a stent. In my mind I keep thinking that perhaps they will get a surprise and he will start healing.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
18 Aug 19
@GardenGerty it's possible.i never thought his would heal after seeing the black.
@marguicha (215403)
• Chile
17 Aug 19
Gangrene is such a terrible ailment. I hope he heals as best as possible.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
They are taking steps to give him the best results.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
My brother said the doctor was there at the hospital immediately. This is a very common problem for diabetics. My brother never realized or thought dad could have this problem.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
18 Aug 19
@GardenGerty It seems that it is a common problem for diabetics, my brother (who is a doctor) told me about this when one of our friend had gangrene.
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
17 Aug 19
I'm sad to hear this. and the saddest part is that gangrene has no cure
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
That is correct, no real good treatment other than amputation.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
18 Aug 19
@GardenGerty yes...all I wish is a less painful condition for him
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
We hope so as well. Our old bodies fail us often.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
My brother makes sure he gets very good care. He is 88 years old so is a bit fragile.
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
Thank you. We are hopeful that he will do well with good care.
@snowy22315 (169940)
• United States
17 Aug 19
I never heard of that, but best of luck to your dad, and your family.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
I had not heard of dry gangrene. I know gangrene is often a problem for wounds when diabetics have it.
1 person likes this
@smileyhema (4606)
• United States
18 Aug 19
Oh, so sorry to know this. I will pray for you father and passing him all the energy to go through this phase. I don't know much about this condition, but I pray that he should recover the best from this.
Cheers!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
18 Aug 19
Thank you. I do not know a whole lot about it, but it causes the flesh to rot. It is common in diabetics, but not just them. Anyone who has a hard time healing can get this.
@wolfgirl569 (95136)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Aug 19
Thinking of all of you. Hoping for good healing.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
The way I understand it they will do some vascular stenting before they do any amputation so he gets good blood flow and heals well.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79708)
• United States
17 Aug 19
I certainly hope your dad is okay. Definitely will add him to my prayers that he's okay after the surgery.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
Thank you. He is really in pretty good health for the age he is and for the things he did as a kid and in spite of the diabetes. Old age is not for the weak. I appreciate the prayers.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
17 Aug 19
Yes, and it is a fluke that this has happened.
1 person likes this
