I feel sorry for myself…

…but I’m trying not to.

While I was in Singapore, I got a pressure sore on the third toe of my right foot. I was going to get it seen to, but in the excitement (if that’s the right word) around my heart attack I didn’t, and the nurse at St. Thomas’s looked at it but didn’t seem that concerned.

On Tuesday I went to the GP and showed her the toe. She was immediately concerned, and after some consultation prescribed two antibiotics and sent me to a foot clinic on the Aylesbury estate. I went there, they decided it was pretty well infected, debrided the wound (it looked pretty awful) and dressed it.

I returned today, they debrided it some more and think that I need more specialist care. So, they are sending me to Kings College Hospital Diabetic Foot Clinic next Tuesday for an X-ray (they think the bone may be involved) and a redressing, presumably. I then go to the Aylesbury at 1:30 pm for more examination.

I got a call at around 2 from the Aylesbury saying that there was a third antibiotic prescription awaiting me at my GP’s. I went there and got it, had it filled by my very friendly (and handsome!) pharmacist, went to the supermarket, and toddled home. I no sooner got my groceries unpacked when the phone rang. It was again the Aylesbury, saying that there was yet a fourth prescription antibiotic waiting for me. I’ve just returned from getting that one filled. I spend so much time at the pharmacy that they may make me pay rent.

So I have four antibiotics to take: one (amoxicillin) three times a day with no food or drink restrictions, one (flucoxicillin) that needs to be taken four times a day but not within an hour either way of a meal, a third (Cipro) that needs to be taken twice a day but not with milk, antacids, or iron (so no liver!), and the fourth (metronidazole) to be taken three times a day with food but no alcohol at all until a day or two after I finish the course! There are no guarantees that any of these will actually cure the infection, but it’s certainly true that any bacteria inside me will be dead pretty much within a week or so.

I am seriously ill, I guess, so I would hope those of you who pray might think of me during prayer; those of you who don’t pray could maybe think good thoughts my way? I would like to save my toe, if at all possible.

Diabetes is really a horrible disease and I would urge any of you who have a history of diabetes in your family to ensure that you stay in shape and get your blood sugar tested regularly by your doctor. If you have any symptoms (there’s a list of some here), be off to your doctor post haste.

Do insist that your doctor take you seriously. My story is pretty sad, really. I had a doctor in Manhattan who had a wonderful bedside manner. He practiced in Greenwich Village, and came well-recommended by a friend. Most of this doctor’s practice (this was the late 1980’s) was HIV-related, at a time when there wasn’t much you could do for people except treat the symptoms. I think that this may have resulted in his “specialising” in HIV treatment, and not keeping up with other branches of general medicine.

So when I became impotent in 1988, I consulted the doctor, who said that it was either in my mind or related to low testosterone levels. He recommended either a shrink or a testosterone test. I declined both. He had said in the past that my blood sugar was a bit high, but nothing to worry about. I can only assume that he was not using the blood test that tells what your blood sugar has been, on average, in the last three months. Instead, he was using a test that told what my blood sugar was at the moment of the test.

Three years later, I was living in Chicago, and went to have my eyes checked for new glasses. The optometrist looked at my retinas and said, “Are you diabetic?” I said, “Not that I know of.” He replied, “You’d better see your doctor.” I had diabetic retinopathy, and had to undergo laser surgery for that condition (right eye only). I remain under the care of the Retinal Clinic at St. Thomas’s and have an examination each year.

I came to find out that not only was the impotence probably related to the diabetes, but that peripheral neuropathy in my feet was also caused by the diabetes. I had had that for many years! Maybe since 1985 or so! I think I have been diabetic for more than 20 years. I might have caught it three years earlier if my doctor had listened to me when I described my symptom.

I know that others on my lj friends list have medical conditions far worse than mine, so I’m not looking for sympathy. But I hope that any of you who have any of the symptoms of diabetes mentioned in the above link get yourselves checked out as soon as you can, to perhaps save yourselves from the troubles that it can bring about in the future.

8 Responses to “I feel sorry for myself…”

  1. rightfhlscah says:
  2. fj says:

    You’re having a medical event with bad repercussions and potentially very trauatic outcome. I would skip the stiff uper lip bit. You wouldn’t believe the wailing I would let loose if this were happening to me.

    Missing Type 2 Diabetes in this current medical climate as a GP is unforgiveable, but even ten years ago it was pretty much off the radar for most adults.

  3. spwebdesign says:

    I will pray for you. I’ve certainly done enough praying for myself and my problems lately, that it’s time I turn my thoughts and prayers to others as well.

    I have a couple of the symptoms in that link. I tested for diabetes over a year ago, concerned that some of the symptoms I was experiencing then might be related. I don’t have it, but I do have a predisposition, given my weight and my family history. (My dad was diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes about 6-8 years ago.) My doctor advised me to watch my diet and exercise to keep my weight down, saying weight was the most important factor I could control. When I had bloodwork done several months later, my blood sugar was much better. I’m hopeful that with proper exercise and nutrition I will be able to stave off diabetes.

  4. vasilatos says:

    Poor toe! I’m sending you and your toe many positive, healthy wishes and prayers.

  5. chrishansenhome says:

    Well, I have the support of HWMBO, and that means a lot, plus the support of my church and various faith communities worldwide. I am cautiously optimistic about it; I have to be. I have cried a bit in private, though.

    The MD in New York probably missed it as he wasn’t expecting diabetes type II in someone so young, even though I was grossly obese when I first consulted him. I was only 36 years old (sigh!) Nowadays I’m certain that doctors look for signs in obese teenagers (I was one of them, too!)

  6. chrishansenhome says:

    Thanks very much; it’s appreciated. I do hope that with proper exercise and diet, you can stave off this scourge.

  7. chrishansenhome says:

    Thank you; my toe (and the rest of me) appreciates it mightily.

  8. anonymous says:

    I looked in on your blog to post a pvt thank you note re: that usenet group we read + your entry on amazon and then read this post about your health worries. Meant to write something earlier, a get better soon wish for your heart, and a congrats about your marriage. Will be thinking of you and certainly hoping for the best with the latest. Am glad you are being well cared for by HWMBO and others as you deserve it.

    Brad