I would ask everyone to send good thoughts my way…I’m off to Cambodia and will be there until Saturday. I am concerned about my feet, as there will be much walking, and I suspect that I will not be doing as much as I would have liked to do. I will need all the good thoughts (and prayers, if you’re into that) as I can get.
When I get back to London, I will really have to ride herd on the diabetic foot clinic to get me proper shoes and trainers that are cushioned enough so that I don’t get blisters or abrasions on my feet. I asked them about going private (as I could afford it), but they said that they would refer me to their orthotics clinic and that they didn’t trust outside suppliers. However, had I gone ahead, I would have had proper orthotic shoes that I could use now. They haven’t as yet referred me. I have an appointment second week of November and I will bring it up again then.
I also think that if this can’t be remedied, I may have to reconsider coming to hot climates. I am unutterably sad at this, but if the doctors can’t or won’t help me, I’m left with no alternative. I pray that this isn’t the case, and that something can be done. I can’t believe that the NHS can’t help me with this.
Thanks for reading this; I will keep in touch via Live Journal and Twitter (@chrishansenhome) as I am able.
I managed to knock a hole in my left heel several weeks ago, probably by scraping it with my right big toe nail while getting out of the shower. An abscess formed that took weeks to burst through and it still hasn’t healed over. That abscess and some spinal inflammation drove my sugars up high, which, of course, made healing slower. My foot is better and my spine is beginning to respond to anti-inflammatories (mostly Tylenol).
The shoes I use all have inserts made by my podiatrist. I wasn’t wearing shoes at the time the damage was done. I had to go without shoes and socks for about two weeks, during which I was unable to go anywhere outside of the house. Yes, the proper shoes are vital to foot health … but they aren’t always enough.
Hey my man – I send oodles of best wishes your way, and maybe even a prayer from a lapsed catholic. 🙂
Enjoy Cambodia!