These
images represent the 6 years of my life and what I have gone through
dealing with Diabetes
To view the
images closer, click on them to enlarge
The images on this page are not meant to shock or disgust, but merely
to demonstrate the result of unchecked diabetes.
THESE IMAGES REPRESENT WHAT THE ONSET OF NECROSIS LOOKS LIKE.
The skin begins to dry and crack, open and fall away, exposing tissue,
muscles and eventually bone.
This eventually leads to Osteomyolitis and the beginning of serious problems
if left untreated.
These
photos had been taken on Nov. 23, 2004, at the request of the physician treating my condition.,
The purpose was to document the extent of the damage. Unchecked, this damage could
eventually spread further,
resulting in the removal of portions, or
the entire limbs.
I have no feeling in any of my limbs (arms and legs) although constant pain is present at all times.
Imagine being able to feel the pain, but not the extremity that possess
it....can you?
The photo at the right is an example of how bad the infection had gotten, resulting in the amputation of
the toes on my right foot. Below was the result of that surgery.
The Next Step
This
is the result of the amputations done to both feet. The doctor removed
the most infected toes in hope of preserving as much of the feet as possible.
Osteomyolitis (a bone disease) developed
in the left foot, and required constant care and cleaning.
Below are some of the steps that had to be taken to maintain the feet........
The infection began to become present several days after the surgery.
Antibiotics had been taken for 4 wks. Improving the condition of the right foot,
but having little or no effect on the left foots infection.
As
a result of the infection not clearing up, the removal of the remaining
two toes and the base joints of the toes that have been removed
will need to be amputated. I the event the infection has progressed deeper
than expected, removal of the front half of the foot, possibly the entire foot may be necessary.
Sunday,
September 4, 2005: Upon cleaning the wound in preparation to re-pack it,
I noticed a small pimple like bump to the left of the existing hole.
Upon cleaning the area with peroxide, I noticed the skin had loosened
on the new bump, and had pulled off, leaking blood. Upon closer examination,
I discovered that there was what appeared to be a similar "HOLE"
under the newly opened area. With a swab with peroxide on it,
I proceeded to inspect the area, only to find that it was as deep as the
adjoining wound, and quite possibly connected. (See images below)
Friday, September 2, I had undergone extensive MRI exposure, to determine
the extent of the Osteo Myolitis (bone disease) which would determine
the amount of my upcoming amputations on my left foot. In light of the
NEW developments, I can only assume that more than just the toes will
have
to be removed, and am prepared to have the foot or even part of the leg
removed, if that is what is needed to keep the infection from progressing
any further.
Click
the above images to enlarge
Removal of the Left Leg
As these last two images show, the infection had indeed become far worse
than had been predicted. On Monday I had gone into surgery
and had the remaining toes and the caps of the metatarsal bones removed....Tuesday
I had a follow up MRI done, which revealed the disease
was still present, and posed an extreme risk of infection. Wednesday the
decision was made to try to remove the infected bones in the foot,
to slow down the spread of infection. As I was being prepped for surgery,
I told the doctor that the depression and anxiety of maintaining
the feet up to this point had been stressful enough, and requested the
removal of the foot or whatever portion of the leg necessary
to eliminate any chance of further infection
As you have seen from the previous images concerning Diabetes, the effects
are slow and gradual in the method of deterioration.
Unchecked, my feet went from dry and cracking, to open ulcers, to amputation,
to amputation
with infection, and finally to a bone disease that finally led to lower
leg amputation. Hopefully the amputations are over for now
and that the infection and bone disease are no longer a threat, however,
being a severe diabetic, there is always a chance that the
healing process is subject to infections and complications of its own.
I hope not to be adding to these pages, except to update on
my ambulatory progress,getting prosthetic limbs
and to answer any questions as they arise
Update:
2006 - My vision is nearly gone, down to about 50%, and have gone
through 6 artificial limbs.
As your residual limb shrinks from loss of fluids etc., you need to upgrade
to a newer limb.
* If a prosthetic fits correctly, it can be better than
the real leg. If it doesn't the pain can be unbearable.
Always explain the fit with
the prosthetist and discuss the options to getting it correct, after all
it is your only way to get around. .
I
will always be here to provide the information and strength that anyone
may need to prepare for surgeries and amputations,
and post surgical support. I only hope that by providing this info and
theses images, I can make it clear that prevention is the
only way to combat Diabetes, and to avoid resulting in the condition I
have allowed myself to endure due to ignorance and negligence.
I
can only hope that by posting these examples, that you as visitors to
this site, and others with Diabetes,
can learn that through preventative measures, you can avoid the situations
presented here and on the other pages,
and improve the quality of your life or those close to you. Diabetes is
the type of disease that can infect anyone
that doesn't think it can happen to them, and that doesn't think they
need to be tested because they are in "perfect"
health, and there is no way they could have it........WRONG
2007 update - Right leg amputation and using prosthetic limbs
I would really like to hear from you if you have any comments or questions
about anything in the pages of this web site concerning Diabetes.
I have posted this info only to educate not to shock those that may not
have enough knowledge about the facts concerning
Diabetes and what effect it can have on themselves or people close to
them. E-mail questions or comments to....
Diabetes Questions/comments