Just How Did This Happen?

@GardenGerty (169477)
United States
August 17, 2019 3:48pm CST
I am going to talk about how the problem with my dad's toes happened. It is really not anyone's fault. He is diabetic and so does not heal well. Because Dad is diabetic, my brother had the doctor trim his toe nails. That is how it is supposed to be. Two toes bled a little, so the doctor put adhesive bandages on them. Usually those fall off on their own. They did not. My brother was waiting for them to. They sort of slipped his mind, Dad said they did not hurt. While bathing dad, he noticed the top of his foot was red, so he removed the bandages. He said the toes looked like "mummy" toes. Called the doctor, who said go to the ER immediately and met him there. They did some tests. Dad has really poor circulation in his legs and feet. That is part of why he is not healing well. They are going to consult with a vascular surgeon and likely Dad will have stents put in. I did the same with my sister about five years ago. One thing I know about my dad is that when he was a young man, less than twenty years old, he was in a lumber camp and they were going to go to town on a weekend night. A bunch of them piled in the back of a flatbed. He fell off and his legs got run over clear up to almost his hips. This is before he ever knew my mom. The damage did not heal well, because even as a small child, three or four years old I can remember him getting "blood poisoning" in his legs and mom treating it with hot towels, etc. I am guessing this is part of the bad circulation as well. Possibly accounts for poor healing, along with him having diabetes. He is also not new to amputations. When he was even younger he had a job in an ice plant. Three fingers on his right hand were crushed and had to be removed. He talked with me a tiny bit on the phone. He tells me he will be okay. I sure hope so.
15 people like this
15 responses
@marlina (154103)
• Canada
17 Aug 19
You Dad has had a lot of health problems. This one should be taken "very seriously", trust me on this.
5 people like this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
18 Aug 19
Yes, they are taking him seriously or taking it seriously. He is in the hospital and will be there until they do the surgeries that he needs and he begins to heal. I hope my brother takes this to heart for his own foot care as well. We are diabetic and brother has a lot of foot problems.
2 people like this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
18 Aug 19
He's a strong man to go through what he has. I hope everything will be good with his toes.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
23 Aug 19
They could not do any vascular work, but they did amputate the toes. He will do some rehab.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
24 Aug 19
@just4him I hope this helps my brother take care of himself. It was not a great toe or pinky, so it should not be too bad on his balance, but he was walking less and less anyway.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Aug 19
@GardenGerty I'm sorry they amputated his toes.
1 person likes this
@Ithink (10106)
• United States
18 Aug 19
Hope your dad heals and gets better. Having bad circulation in the legs and feet myself personally Im always checking them for sores and such. For me the swelling is the worse. Somedays it hurts to wear shoes. Anyways healing thoughts for your dad.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
23 Aug 19
Yes. It is important. They are constantly checking my husband for swelling because of his heart.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
18 Aug 19
It is amazing how things snowball isn't it, a little cut led to something so serious. I hope it alls comes out well. I will remember him in my prayers.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
23 Aug 19
Thank you for the prayers. Yes. That is why licensed salons ask if you are diabetic and will not cut your nails.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Aug 19
i'm a tad confused 's to why there'd be bleedin' from the doc cuttin' his toenails?? but 'tis water 'nder the bridge, so's to speak. yer dad most likely felt nothin' diff'rent (i've neuropathy'n my feet, not diabetes related) 'n thus didn't complain. he's sure'd a really rough time fer much'f his life. i'm glad he's remainin' positive 'bout this. gonna take a most watchful eye 'n 'xtreme care to get the healin' done.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
23 Aug 19
@crazyhorseladycx It is interesting that you worked in the ER. Nurse? Tech?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
18 Aug 19
Doc must have cut them too close. I have seen it happen before. Dad may even have jerked or twitched. You are right, he did not feel it. I do not have neuropathy, but since I am diabetic I am actually not supposed to get my nails cut like in a nail salon. Not fingers or toes. A licensed, law abiding salon will ask you if you are diabetic and if so will only file and not clip.
3 people like this
• United States
18 Aug 19
@GardenGerty yes ma'am, saw the 'ftermath 'f such quite a few times whilst workin' the e.r. :( yer correct, they're required to ask 'n 'lso 'bout circulatory troubles (aka: no leg/foot massages).
2 people like this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
18 Aug 19
Diabetes is serious. I also watch any sores.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
23 Aug 19
I know we get told that a lot, but it is easy to slip up, especially if there is no pain.
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Aug 19
Just wondering... did he break any bones when he fell off the truck and got run over?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
23 Aug 19
His feet were crushed. I am not sure what else, because he did not really talk about it.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117237)
• El Paso, Texas
18 Aug 19
I'm so sorry about your dad. I hope the doctors can help him.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
24 Aug 19
@rebelann No, dad will not be too upset. He has dementia, and does tell me, no matter what, that he is happy.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
23 Aug 19
They did the amputation. No vascular work as the doctors felt it might cause more problems.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117237)
• El Paso, Texas
23 Aug 19
I'm so sorry @GardenGerty I hope he heals quickly and won't be too upset about the amputation. I've got you in my prayers.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
17 Aug 19
Oh my yes he does have a lot of health problems there.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
18 Aug 19
Yes. He was kind of a wild young man.
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
19 Aug 19
@GardenGerty Good monring.I see
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
18 Aug 19
Your poor Dad. I hope that everything goes well.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
23 Aug 19
It seems to have gone well. He will stay in the hospital a day or two and then will go to a rehab facility.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
24 Aug 19
@Tampa_girl7 Growing old is such a process.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
23 Aug 19
@GardenGerty I'm glad it's going well.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Aug 19
That’s sad, I hope he is going to be alright, diabetics have to be very careful.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
24 Aug 19
He is getting very good care but has a lot going on, including dementia. It is a lot of work for my brother.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Aug 19
@GardenGerty I bet it is, dementia is very hard , my grandmother had this.
@wolfgirl569 (135770)
• Marion, Ohio
18 Aug 19
That is a lot of problems. But he sounds tough. Hope the stints help.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
23 Aug 19
Vascular surgeon felt stents had the potential to cause more trouble at his age and health. They ended up only doing the amputation.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
18 Aug 19
I am so sorry to hear that. :(
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
23 Aug 19
Yes, it was sad to hear.
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (66063)
• Serbia
18 Aug 19
Oh my God. I'm sorry to hear that. I hope he does well.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
18 Aug 19
Well he has good care, I believe, and lots of love and prayers from many people.
2 people like this
@Nevena83 (66063)
• Serbia
18 Aug 19
@GardenGerty I'm sure God is with him.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
23 Aug 19
@Nevena83 Yes, He is with him.
1 person likes this
• Valdosta, Georgia
17 Aug 19
Oh my goodness your dad has been through a lot! =(
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
18 Aug 19
And he is one of the nicest people you would ever want to know.
2 people like this