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.
Wow. Jim, know you’re in my prayers.
Prayers for you, Jim.
My family and I will be saying lots of prayers for you Jim!!! Joining you all in prayer!
Lifting you up to the Lord.
Prayers for a full recovery.
Prayers for you Jim.
Fervent prayers up for you, FRiend.
I am so glad for your post. God bless.
You’ll have some extra prayers tonight, my friend.
I also am allergic to anything “cillin”. Just will not respond positively to it, and then found out I was also allergic to neomyacin since I also broke out from the neosporin ointment that they tried to treat me with.
I pray and hope that the sulfa drugs or something newer that they give you will take ahold and you will find healing to this long-living and soon to die infection.
Our prayers are with you.
Jim, prayers for your healing offered to the Great Physician.
He still has work for you to do here, and He will see you through this.
My cousin told me about this thread, and I’ve had you in my prayers since then. Thanks to Kathy for the ping with a link, I got the update. Sending up some big time prayers.
Prayers coming from down south, Jim. We may not say it enough, but we all love you dearly! Besides, we need you fit and well so you can continue to lead us in battle.
((((hugs))))
Prayers for our FR hero. Lots of prayers.
I’ll remember you at Mass this evening
Keeping both of you in prayer.
May God Bless you and hold you in His arms.
I met you only once, and I said the same thing to you then. You are a treasured blessing, as is this wonderful website you brought to fruition. I know the Lord is looking out for you, and my prayers will be added to the thousands already going up!
With all sincerity, I say God Bless you, Jim, and thank you for all you do!
More prayers on the way for your full recovery. Hope the docs can fix you up quickly!
My prayers are being said for Jim Robinson and ExSoldier. May you both blessed with complete recovery.
I’ll add my prayers to the long list of warriors already storming the gates of heaven for your healing. :)