Well, we just came home from the podiatrist. Alan is now wearing a boot. It's called a CAM WALKER. The doctor also gave us a little tube of regranex. Since I know how expensive this stuff is, we are treating it like gold.

The doctor showed me exactly what to do with Alan every single morning before he puts the boot on. Since I've been dressing this particular foot ulcer for over a year, I think I can do this.

Just came back from drug store where I got more bandages, gauze rolls, etc.

Oh, this boot has a pump on it. The doctor says "Don't use the pump, Alan has neuropathy, and he can't tell if it's too tight", or something to that effect. So we are not using the pump.

Also, I was so engrossed in this new doctor (he took 3 new x-rays of Alan's foot), that I forgot to ask him about the tens unit. Alan goes back next Tuesday. He doesn't think he will need anything shaved. He just said "this thing has to heal completely, so we have to deal with that first". He was very professional. He had an attending resident working under him and you should have seen their faces after they asked Alan "When did you first know you had neuropathy?" I said "oh, let me tell you what happened during that first visit. I explained: "The doctor, diagnosed Alan with neuropathy, then looked at Alan and asked "Alan, have you ever had sex with a vietnamese woman?"

These two guys started to laugh as I told them the story. I continued....The doctor then looked at Alan and said "you think I'm kidding, but I'm not, Alan have you ever had sex with a vietnamese woman? and Alan said something to the effect "are you out of your mind, what kind of question is that to ask in front of my wife?" and the doctor said "I need to know if you ever went to Vietnam because during the Vietnam war, the soldiers had sex with the local women and 20 plus years later, they came down with neuropathy due to syphilis". Well, after assuring his doctor that he never had syphilis, well, it's been 15 years of trying to find out why he has neuropathy.

These two doctors (today), thought that was the most fascinating story they ever heard. It was a very good visit and we are hopeful. As soon as I said CIDP and IVIG, they both went 'OH,,OKAY!!!" It was nice to speak to professionals who knew what CIDP and IVIG is.


So, no more off loading shoe. That was $150 out the window.

Now he is wearing this boot contraption.

Will update.
Melody