Here I sit another day. It is two weeks now. I am not even supposed to go out in the sun due to the antibiotic medicine. Let me tell you the whole story so you do not make the same mistakes.
About four months ago I started experiencing sharp burning pain in my left foot and lower leg. Just getting old I guessed. The last time I attempted to play golf I made it about three holes and had to turn back. My leg was hurting so bad I had to rest three times to make it back to the car. Come June the pain was more on than off. On my off days I would basically do nothing.
Got on the internet to check out the symptoms. A big range of possibilities. From an ingrown toe nail to back and circulation problems. So I finally go to my doctor. Of which I could not see my doctor because he was busy. So they sent me to the immediate care in their facility. They took the blood pressure and normal check in stuff. Gave me an x ray. The x ray determined that I have sciatica, degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy. So they told me to schedule an appointment with neurosurgery. They also gave me pain pills and steroids. It was also determined that I needed a MRI. So I go for that.
I was not able to get through to the neurosurgeon. No called me back. At the first examination they could not find a pulse in my left foot. I call the care center and said that I had not heard back from anyone. I also said that judging from the symptoms I may have a blood clot. They said to come in now for an ultra sound. I got there and showed the doctor my left big toe. It was black and blue. He said that it was infected and if I did not do something soon it may spread and lead to amputation.
He prescribes antibiotics and an anti bacterial salve. At this point he says that the foot pain was from the toe and sciatica. He said that the ultra sound wasn't needed. I said while I am here and they have planned to do it let's do it. After doing it he said that I dodged a bullet and have peripheral arterial disease. A or another heart attack or stroke waiting to happen. He then set me up with a cardiologist. This was to determine the likelihood of surviving surgery. Meaning back surgery at this time. He also said that no one was going to touch me until I got rid of the infection in my foot. Gave me a podiatrist to call.
Well I call the podiatrist and they say the fasted I can get in would be Thursday the 11th. So I make this appointment. By the 4th my foot is all red and the toe is almost black. I get on the Blue Cross website and try to find a doctor for this. I find one to get me in on Friday the 5th. They get me in and set me up for surgery that day, now. They also needed $400 now.
They proceeded to take off my toe nail. After being home a couple of hours the medicine wore off. I have never had anything that has hurt worse. It still hurts. Cannot wear shoes. Can't sleep good. Went back for follow up Monday the 8th.
So I have to make a decision here. As far as I am concerned the back thing is on back burner. Now the cardiologist and my regular doctor. Went to the cardiologist Wednesday the 10th. He said I need an Electro Cardeogram. So I had this done on the 10th. Then to my MD on the 11th. He said I need the balloon thing.Angioplasty. So the next day I am to have the EKG.
When I get in there they said I have already had the ultra sounds on my legs. It would be out of my pocket if they done it again. I said that I understand and didn't need it again. But needed the EKG. The tech repeated it again and again as if I could not understand. I told them that I did. I do understand. So now I am waiting for the next move.
On the way home I call the pharmacy for refills. It set off a blaze of phone calls. We are not a pill mill and you cannot get narcotics from us. Why did you cancel the appointment with the back doctor? How come you didn't show up at the foot doctor we sent you to? My doctors office said to take tylonol. Doesn't work . Stayed up all night again. Can't find a good position to sleep in without hitting the toe. This isn't any fun at all.
Now over two weeks missing work. I am still hurting. As this toe thing is terrible. I need the balloon thing. I have been trying to get narcotics. I have cancelled appointments with the best doctors in the county. I have spent over $1000 out of pocket.
At this juncture I will wait on their call. If I ever get one. I need to get back to work. I am still hurting. I have had back problems since 1984. No surprise here. Now the circulatory things. I smoke. My fault. All the exercise and work I do has not off set that. My doctor in the 90's was an old Army doctor. He told me to quit smoking then as I was a small person. And if I quit then I would have a chance.
After about two weeks my left toe, foot and leg is still killing me. I cannot find a comfortable position to sleep. Nothing else can be done until the toe heals. Then the circulation problem. Then eventually the back. I am so ready for this to be behind me. As the lady at the doctors office said. It is a bunch at once.
I am editing this post at 1 o'clock in the morning as I woke up and can not get back to sleep because the toe is killing me. I hope it is healing correctly and is just now starting to scab over. Still can't hardly walk.
A word to the wise. When you get symptoms. Address it. And quit smoking!
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