LET THE PATIENT BEWARE

LET THE PATIENT BEWARE
A Personal Experience.

“ Infection - The need to act fast to avoid threats to your Life and Wellbeing.”

I am a Type 2 Diabetic and I have controlled Diabetes for 31 years. I have a Healthy Lifestyle. Recently, I developed a Blister on the side of my Right Foot.
I saw my Surgery Doctor after a two weeks wait in March 2018 for an appointment. She studied the wound and decided to refer me to a Podiatist. I have not heard from the Podiatrist at Wycombe Hospital after weeks of waiting.

In the meantime, I saw the Practice Nurse for my regular blood test.
I showed her the wound. She said in a caring manner...
“ You ought to see our Diabetic Nurse...you do not want to lose your foot do you ? “ “ No I do not !” was my reply.
I tried to make an appointment with the Diabetic Nurse. The earliest available was in 2 weeks time. I had to cancel the appointment due to my eventual stay at Wexham Park Hospital.

In the meantime, my foot started to become painful.
I managed to get an appointment with one of the Surgery Doctors.
She acted promptly. She telephoned Stoke Mandeville and Wexham Park Hospitals.
Wexham said “ Tell him to come here at once. “
My wife drove me to Wexham Park Hospital near Slough in Berkshire.
My experience at Wexham Park was very thorough Patient Care and at the same time most alarming.

I used to believe that if you had an infection, it was treated by a course of Antibiotics and you would be healed in next to no time. Maybe some Germaline or some other ointment.
No Problem !
I was in for a shock.

The Ulcer on my right foot had become infected.
I was put on an Antibiotic drip 4 times a day. My feet were bathed in Iodine medicated water. My Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure and Blood Test was monitored on a daily basis.

On Day 1 FridayThe Diabetic Consultant operated on the wound.
Masses of puss were taken out. The wound was cleaned and covered.
From Friday to a week Saturday, I was regularly monitored. The care from the whole Medical Team was superb.
I was visited by a very nice Hospital Podiatrist. She examined the wound, cut away some skin and dressed the wound.
Then, came my second shock.

She said that so far I was lucky. If I had left it longer, I might have lost my foot. If the infection had spread, the only way to stop it might be to amputate.
The Patient in the bed next to me was a young, jovial man who had lost his keg due to infection. He had developed an Ulcer like me on his remaining foot and he was hoping, if not praying like me, that the Medical Staff would heal the Ulcer.

The Podiatrist advised me not to go to Spain on holiday - scheduled for 3 weeks time. Another shock !
Her advice was to rest, rest and rest. Do not even walk to the Hospital Newsagent.

The Plaster room examined my foot and put it into a Plaster Caste and gave me a special shoe. I asked the very kind and competent Nurse what was the purpose of a scan on the foot.
She told me to see if the infection had spread to the bone. Then came another shock. She said that they would also look to see if I had a Charcot Foot. What is that ? Infection can make the arch of your foot collapse. Not a good outcome.

There is still another hurdle to climb. An MRI Scan is being organised to see if the infection has spread to the bone. If it has, I am hoping that there is a cure. Fingers crossed.!

What are the lessons to be learnt from this worrying if not depressing story ?

1 - If you have a blister on your foot, seek immediate Medical help.

2 - If there is a delay in seeing your Practice Doctor, go to A and E at your local hospital, if, there is one !

3 - Get Specialist Medical advise. Your Doctor is a General Practitioner. Although most are wonderful, their daily systems with over 2,000 Patients on their list and shortage of time ( 10 - 20 minutes per Patient ) , they are not Specialists.

4 - Regularly check your shoes. Make sure they fit you properly. Make sure they are not causing redness on your foot. My shoes caused the Ulcer. Also, make sure that your socks are not too tight and they are not restricting circulation which is so important.

5 - Learn that a Podiatrist has more knowledge and experience of dealing with Footcare than a Chiropodist.

6 - It goes without saying that you must control Diabetes and sugar levels.

7 - Finally, if you are not satisfied with the Medical Diagnosis, seek a second opinion. Medical Practitioners are only human and they do make some mistakes in diagnosis. I used to be a Director of a leading Global Medical Equipment Group of Companies.

As far as Wexham Park Hospital is concerned, all the staff have been excellent. The care which I have received so far is faultless.
The Medical Staff work to a good care system.
You tend to think that no one is dealing with your problem fast enough but, believe me they need time to assess progress. It is a Stage by Stage approach based on an Action Plan after diagnosis.

One observation for Brexit followers......

Most of the staff are from Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, Philippines and other countries, with a high preponderance of Asian Doctors and Nurses.
I want to emphasis that Britain wants these fine workers and Immigrants. Brexit does not mean they have to leave the country. They are needed and most welcome.I have the highest regard for the Medical Staff at NHS Wexham Park Hospital.
So, there you have it. This is my personal experience.

Questions I ask myself are....

1 - Should my Practice Doctor have acted immediately with some Medication when I had my first appointment ?

2 - Was the Doctor waiting to see how the wound developed ?

3 - Should I have gone to A and E and bi- passed my Doctor ?

4 - Should I have realised how dangerous my wound was as a Diabetic ?

5 - Should I have reviewed my shoes over time ?

6 - Or, did my Doctor’s Practice let me down in any way ?

I hope that I have a happy ending and that my Ulcer will be healed. I am in the hands of the Medical Team at Wexham Park Hospital.
I have 100% confidence in them.

Finally, I must stress that I am not a Healthcare Specialist.
I have the greatest respect for Medical Practitioners. They are the “ The Salt of the Earth.”

These are the words of an ordinary Patient.
I may be right and I may be wrong. I hope that to Patients and Medical Practitioners my experience might be helpful.

Finally, in June 2018, I have been invited to be a Guest Speaker at Bucks New University Conference on Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles. I am adding the following slide to my 42 slides Presentation. I hope it will warn the General Public to be extra vigilant and careful about Infection, particularly if you are a Diabetic.
Preventative Healthcare is far better, and less costly than Remedial Healthcare.

Bucks New University Conference 2018 - Nutrition Lifestyle Wellbeing

I have added this slide to my 43 slide Presentation at this Conference in June 2018 in High Wycom


BEWARE INFECTION - More dangerous than you think.

Past attitude....Infection ? Visit Pharmacy. Antiseptic cream. Germalene or equivalent. Visit Doctor. Course of Antibiotics.
After 2 weeks, no problem. Easy !

“ BUT Infection can spread like a wild fire.”

It can cause serious illness and amputations.

Do not delay.

DAILY PERSONAL HYGENE IS VITAL