Please pray for my Dad - update

[cruelshoes]

This is not normally something I would ask for, but I really need help. My Dad has Type II diabetes that he does not manage very well. He is overweight, and does not eat well. I think he wants to be better, but has not developed the skills yet to do so.

He has had a wound on his foot for 2 years. He has peripheral Neuropathy and cannot feel it. He has been working with the wound specialist for all that time trying to get it to heal. But he refuses to follow the instructions the wound guy gives him. So of course it is still there.

Now the wound had become infected and the infection is into the bone. He is in the hospital now, and will have the toe amputated tomorrow. Please pray for my dad, both that he will come through the surgery OK, and that he will finally be ready to deal with his diabetes.

Thank you.
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
10-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters (12 and 2) have neg. bloodwork

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

[mrsppmrxky]

Colleen, I will pray for your dad to heal. My MIL has started having trouble with her feet in the past couple of months and it scares me to death with her diabetes.

Maybe this will be the wake up call your Dad needs. While he is a 'captive' patient, you might want to give the dr. the heads up for the lecture your dad is in need of having.
_________________

[aklap]

Consider it done Colleen!

Sorry to hear that. It tough to be a bystander in something like this. You want to be able to do something - anything - but there's not much you can do. Peg's Dad is the same way. He lost his toe due to a sore...then infection...into the bone. He has TII DM as well. He wouldn't stay off his feet and it never fully healed. He is suffering from other complications too - PN, kidney failure, we suspect more clogged arteries [already had a triple or quad bypass]. They are having trouble regulating his BG levels. Some of it is non compliance...some if it may just be his body is going berserk.

((((hugs)))))

Keep us updated!!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[nancw]

Sorry to hear that Colleen. Best wishes and good thoughts going out there for your Dad.
_________________
Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

[ostrich]

Sending good vibes to you and your dad! I'm sorry you guys are going through this. I know how hard it is to just sit down and heal. I hate feeling helpless. I'm hoping this is a wake-up call for your dad too.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[cruelshoes]

Thanks for the support everyone. My dad came through his surgery OK yesterday. They only needed to take the big toe, and not a larger portion of the foot like they thought they might. He seems to be in good spirits, and keeps half-heartedly trying to get people to sneak him in a cheese sandwich.

He starts PT today, and gets fitted for a special shoe with a toe prosthesis. I think he really wants to control his diabetes, but it seems like such a monumental task that he's having trouble making the mental leap. Hmmm - sounds like the early days of the GF diet, huh? Another problem is that he really doesn't like vegetables, and is not very good about trying new things. Longevity does run in his family, so he has that on his side, but I'd like not to have him get whittled away toe-by-toe for the next X-number of years.

Thanks for the prayers, guys.
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
10-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters (12 and 2) have neg. bloodwork

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

[The Edifying Conscience]

Seems your father has quite a few challenges ahead of him. Coming through the surgery with a positive attitude should help him though. I was hoping your dad would be able to walk again. Glad to hear that they've got him lined up with a toe prothesis and footwear.

Now about the cheese sandwich. I wonder if a GF bread made using high protein flours (garfava, quinoa, etc.) could offset the carbs. [Does that sentence make sense?] If he has pasta love that Pappadelli (sp?) lentil pasta might work well with this diet too.

Keeping finger crossed that he decided to play by the rules!

[ostrich]

Maybe once things have calmed down a bit you guys can sit down and have a good chat. Explain that you want to have him around a long time (and in good health). You might mention how hard it was to start the GF diet: how you missed all the old foods, how hard it was to not get CC, etc. Sympathize with him and his control over diabetes.

I'd also take TEC's idea one step further. Plan a weekend (or two) of cooking. Take all his favorite recipes and convert them as necessary. You could also try to find some new ways of cooking veggies so he likes them.

FWIW my grandma's horrible with her diabetes too. She can't manage her blood sugar for anything. So I know how hard it is. Continuing the good vibes!
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[cruelshoes]

Just to add some levity, a friend forwarded this link to me to send to my dad. I think I know what happened to my dad's toe. He is going to love this. Our family has a sick sense of humor.

**Do not click on the link below if you are easily offended or grossed out. You have been warned**

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/203179
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
10-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters (12 and 2) have neg. bloodwork

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

[nancw]

ROFLMBO!
Oh THANKS Colleen...THAT was a treat.
Glad I looked at this before dinner and not after.
_________________
Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

[ostrich]

[isto]

Colleen, I just read this! I'm glad to hear your dad came through the surgery well. I hope he gets serious about the diabetic diet! My former Mother in law isn't very serious about hers and my daughter worries after her. Blessings!