FMIL's life-changing surgery...

[ebredhawk]

this whole thing started back in october of last year. FI's niece ran over his mom's toe with a computer chair. she's only 3 and the chair isn't that heavy, but for some reason her toenail fell off and the wound would just not heal. the injury then spread to her big toe and we knew there were problems.

 

over the next 6 months doctors diagnosed her with everything from diabetes (which she doesn't have) to gout. finally they realized that she had peripheral artery disease (PAD) which basically meant that her foot was just not getting the blood flow it needed to heal itself. most times it is due to clogged arteries, but in her case, it's because her veins are just so small.

 

since angioplasty and stints were not going to work (veins too small) they did a bypass taking a vein from her leg and re-routing it below her ankle. it was successful and her foot actually started to heal! then suddenly last week she got extreme pain in her foot, went to see the doctor who did an emergency surgery and they realized her bypass had collapsed. that's when the doctor told us her (pretty much) only choice... amputation.

 

it took only 4 days to go from healing to a below-the-knee amputation. she made the final decision that she was sick of this running her life and she wanted the pain gone and wanted to move on and for that i'm VERY proud of her. but still, my heart absolutely breaks for her. i can't imagine what she must be going through, knowing that she'll go under for surgery, and when she wakes up her leg will be gone from the knee down. i have no idea what to say to her besides just giving her a hug and telling her we're there for her. while i'll be glad she won't be in any more pain, i can't imagine the psychological toll that has to take on you.

 

sorry for just rambling along and unloading on you guys! i just got the message from one of my FSIL's that her surgery is officially scheduled for Monday the 22nd and it hit me like a ton of bricks and i needed to share with someone!

[stacey]

WOW! that is awful. I am by no means a doctor but that seems a little durastic. Has she gotten a 2nd opinion?

[~Nicole~]

OMG! That is crazy! I agree with Stacey, isn't there something else they can do? It just seems so bizarre. Wow.

Well, I guess there isn't much you can say to her, but ya I agree, I'm sure the psychological end of things is riping her apart. My heart goes out to her. Continue to be supportive as that will make a world of difference for her.

[~*Lisa*~]

Wow, that is insane! And for her to make that decision, she is brave. You've done the right thing and told her how you feel and that you would be supportive, it's all you can do. Help her through her rough times, be there for her. That's what she needs to help her go through everything. Wishing her the best of luck!

[~*Kathy*~]

Wow, from running over a toe with a chair to amputation seems like a huge difference! My heart was breaking for your FMIL too when I read your post. I am so sorry to hear that she has to go through this, I can't imagine what it is like to lose a limb. I hope the surgery goes well and wish her a speedy recovery. Both you and your FMIL will be in my thoughts. *hugs*

[jk1101]

Wow Erin that is huge! All good thoughts and karma coming to you, FI and FMIL. I don't blame her for just wanting all of the pain and aggravation to be over with, and you are doing all the right things by being there for her for all of it. It's hard to imagine what she is going through but knowing the people that love her are there for her is going to help her a lot.

I will keep her in my thoughts and let us know how she is and how you are holding up too!

Michele

[Kristy!]

Oh my goodness. Who would've thought? She seems like such a brave woman. You're both in my prayers.

[JOSIE]

That is a terrible story, I cannot believe it. I will keep your FMIL & family in my prayers. It takes a very strong woman to be accepting of that and move forward even though it means losing a leg partially. Thank you for sharing with us.....that is so touching, yet so extremely upsetting at the same time.

[ebredhawk]

girls, i can't even begin to explain to you how much your supportive and kind words mean to me! your prayers, thoughts, everything are appreciated SO much. i'm very glad that FI's family is so close and supportive... i think it will help to make a tragic situation seem a little more bearable.

 

stacey and nikki, that is the first thing we all thought too, before she went with the bypass. there are a few other procedures that they can do, but her veins are too small and they just wouldn't work. she actually was given the choice between trying a hyperbaric chamber for 2 hours, 5 days a week for 2 months (increases oxygen in the blood which promotes healing) but she was told there was no guarantee and it wouldn't fix the problem. this is when she decided that enough was enough and i have to say, for the mild-mannered, gentle soul that she is, that is HUGE!

[~Nicole~]

Damn, thats horrible. I guess it just seemed so "out there" for an injury that I probably would think nothing of. I'm so sorry, that is truly a tragedy, but I can see why she would just want to be rid of the pain. Keep us posted and stay strong.