Posted on 04/03/2008 4:20:45 PM PDT by trussell
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Never mind, I read the original post.
Prayers being offered big time, Jim.
TRussell and BG ... thank you so much for calling the Prayer Warriors.
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.
Jim, you are in my prayers....
Humble prayers for JimRob up now...
Prayers to you Sir. Tell the Docs to fix your circulation problem or face the ZOT!
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!!!
You Bet! Hang in there, Jim, we never give up!
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.
Prayers up for a full recovery!
Thank you, potlatch.
Jim, I said a prayer for you last night after I read about this.
I said another prayer today, and will continue to pray for you, your family, and your docs.
Praying for you Jim.
Jim, you are in my prayers! Get well, stay well!
Thank you, jellybean, for this not a FRed ping.
Prayers being sent...
I’ll put you on our Parish Prayer list, Jim, for the Lord to guide the doctors in your diagnosis and treatment.
May God Bless and help you!
best regards
rs
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.
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