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Diabetic foot Ulcer

Marvin Zanoria

Newbie
Messages
4
Location
Philippines
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hello guys!

My father was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes late last year(We suspected that this has been for quite sometime already, it is because he does not like to see the Dr that it was almost like we had to drag him to the clinic just so he can have his self checked). My heart is so crushed upon knowing that he only has 30% chance of totally healing his diabetic foot ulcer and that the Dr has actually ruled out that his right foot be amputated(above knee procedure). This happened because he has been keeping from us that he has a wound in his toe and for the past year now he has been too secretive about the real condition of his foot. So, March 4 came and he got admitted because he cannot bear the pain anymore. Since he really wants to save his foot he opted for debridement of the ulcer at the bottom of his foot and had his second toe(next to the big toe) removed due to gangrene. I am here working abroad and will return to my home country to talk to the Dr about the details of his condition now and if there is still any chance that the healing percentage will improve. I am in the medical field of Pharmacy so I can manage to help my mother relay the problem and solutions to them in layman's term. Now, what I want to know is there someone out here who can advise me on any alternative to amputation that can be an adjunct to the conventional method of healing diabetic ulcer. Also, I really need to know if with the chance given by the Dr to my father, is there still hope for his feet to be saved? Your words of encouragement will really appease me.

Thank you in advance
 
I have no advice but I would like to send your father my best wishes for a full recovery.
 
In the past I have experienced my own parents and parents in law keeping quiet about serious issues through fear and scared if they go to hospital they will not come out or lose their independence. As a daughter in another country I have often worried and been unable to be hands on. So dont beat yourself up you are suffering too. Its so hard and we have to learn not to be so scared ourselves when our time comes. Sending you and your family love and best wishes for the best possible outcome.
 

Thank you so much for your kind words. This means a lot to me. Im just so devastated because I know that it could have been prevented, but there is no use in that now. I feel like I carry the burden of telling the rest of my family what the real situation of my father is( the big probability 70% that his right foot will never heal) and it is just so hard to be strong for them when I myself is struggling with my emotions now.
 
I am very sorry about your father’s foot, and I hope he makes a good recovery.

I know that you and your father would like to save the foot, but the medical team will be able to advise you and explain why they are making the decisions that need to be made. I would trust their expertise and experience.
 

Marvin - I'm so sorry to hear of the challenges facing your father, and indeed the rest of your family, because, as you are finding now diabetes isn't a solo thing, with the implications moving out like a pebble in a pond.

Whilst I am sure you have a real maelstrom of emotions going through your mind at the moment, from regret you didn't push hard, anger at your father for hiding things and a certain amount of panic at the potential for the future, I think my suggestion would be that you try to focus on some reading up on healing diabetic foot ulcers and managing post-amputation sites (as he has already lost a toe), in readiness for meeting with his Doctors - so that you might go to that meeting a little informed, with some very relevant questions to be answered.

None of us can tell you what the chances of anything are, because we because we generally aren't Health Care Professionals (HCP), and aren't likely to be specialised in this field, even those who are could be don't have your Father's full medical history.

One comment I will make though is that any heeling will happen best where blood glucose levels are under control, by whatever method he is utilising. If he has been prescribed meds, it's very important he takes them, as well as eating really well. If he's managing by diet alone, then redoubling those efforts are in his best interest.

Really, the very best of good fortune to you and your family. It's a tough time, and it sounds like he's in a fight, I'm sure his chances improve with you in his corner.
 
Marvin Zanoria,
I am sorry to hear about your father's hea;th problems.
Can I ask if he is under treatment by the Diabetic Foot Protection Team in your area?
 
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