wisdom and skill to your medical providers..In the Name of Our Lord
Jesus Christ I pray.
Sorry to hear about your circulatory problems. In my case it started six or seven years ago when I accidentally turned my wheelchair over and scraped my ankle. The scrape refused to heal. We washed it daily and applied antibiotic creams but it didn’t do much good. My doctor prescribed oral antibiotics but they didn’t help either.
Eventually my feet and ankles started swelling up. The swelling would come and go. The doctor said it was edema caused by poor circulation and that was probably due to sitting in a wheelchair all the time.
Then last fall it took a turn for the worse. My right lower leg started developing blisters that would pop and drain water. Went to the doctor and he prescribed more antibiotics. This prescription included penicillin and I broke out into a terrible hot itchy red rash over most of my body. So then I had to take pills to counteract that, and creams to soothe the rash and itching. Took about a week or more to get rid of that.
In the meantime a second course of antibiotics didn’t help. Then the left foot and leg began swelling. My left foot is now so swollen I can’t put my shoe on.
Then by Christmas I had water and gunk coming out of both lower legs and a layer of skin came off a 6 inch swath over my lower left leg and my right leg developed oozing sores.
My doctor said that I’d probably have to have bypass surgery and if that didn’t cure it, I might lose my legs. He sent me to a cardiovascular surgeon who said basically the same thing.
The cardiovascular surgeon sent me to the VA hospital where he said they had a great cardiovascular team. The first VA doctor who examined me sent me home with antibiotics to fight the cellulitis that was creeping up my legs nearly to the knees and ibuprofen to relieve the pain.
I went back to the VA ten days later for a follow-up and this doctor was so concerned about the swelling, redness and weeping/oozing that she didn’t want to send me home. She wanted to admit me right there on the spot either for emergency surgery or intravenous antibiotics. She was worried my blood would get infected and then I’d really have some serious problems.
She called in a surgeon to have a look and he listened to my arteries with a Doppler device, measured blood pressures in my arms and legs and came to the conclusion that it was not an emergency situation. A second surgeon came in and concurred. Then the chief cardiovascular surgeon came in and and ran some tests, asked a lot of questions and concluded it probably was not arterial, but a venous problem that could be solved without surgery. He said, don’t worry Mr. Robinson, we know your legs are important to you and we will save them. Thank God!
He wrapped my feet and legs in a compression bandage and sent me home.
In the meantime, the doctor had taken a culture of some stuff oozing out of my sore left big toe that I had smashed and lost the toenail on, and she called my yesterday to say it was definitely infected. She prescribed antibiotics to fight that infection.
I went in yesterday for ultrasound and x-rays. Don’t have the results on those yet. The nurse changed my compression dressings while I was there and scheduled me in twice a week for regular changes.
Have an appointment next Tuesday for a follow-up on the infection and another in three weeks at the surgery clinic. So, we’re sitting here waiting and praying.
Thank you all very much for your prayers.
And I’ll offer prayers for you, my friend.
Oh my gosh Jim, my father in law suffered through a very similar ordeal. As I read your story, I was wondering about the IV antibiotics. I’m SO GLAD you are on the road to recovery. Cellulitus is no laughing matter...
God bless you!!!
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Jim Robinson.
Thank You for watching over him.
Please continue to guide the Doctors, nurses and caregivers.
Your will be done.
In Jesus’ Holy Name I submit this prayer.
Amen.
Praying for you Jim.
You should, please G-d, have a complete recovery. One of my uncles had heart surgery at his VA hospital and thought the treatment was top notch.
Sounds like you have a good team taking care of you. Be well.
Just damn, we don't need this at our age.
That is a lot to go through. I hope all our prayers will help you during this waiting time. God bless you.
Prayers for both of you! My father suffered from pitted edema, so I know what you’re dealing with. May the doctors diagnose quickly and accurately, and may you both be healed completely.
Logan’s Prayer Warriors......Jim explained what’s been going on, with him, in #224.
My gosh, Jim....we love you, we’re all praying fervently for you. Including a little guy you know & love.....
Wow Jim, that is a incredible story. I used to work for a group of cardiologists that dealt with this type of thing. It is amazingly discouraging for most patients. Yet you seem to have a very positive attitude about the situation. That will serve you well in recovery.
Prayers are continuing for you, your family and the physicians. May God bless and heal you quickly.
Jim, thanks for sharing this. Sorry for all of the pain and suffering you’ve gone through. My wife and I, along with our office staff, are keeping you in our prayers. God’s very best to you!
We keep our prayers going for your well being with the realization that Our Lord is watching over you extra close.
8mm
And while we're at it, Jim, FR is a fount of knowledge...I'm wondering if any of the medical freepers have friends or colleagues in your neck of the woods who could lend a hand, as it seems like your infections are taking their sweet time getting better.
Keep up the good fight sir!
Oh dear Jim! You do have some serious problems going on there, I pray that you find relief and they are able to save your legs.
Praying for y’all. God bless.
Have you looked into external pulsation techniques for improving leg circulation? See for example http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/patient-guide-44611-6.html?
Or perhaps a hyperbaric oxygenation therapy — see http://www.barocenter.ru/english_m.html
Prayers up.
Keeping you in my prayers along with a huge Thank You for all that you have done!
prayers sent.......
bump
Continuing prayers.