Hi all. It's been awhile. Alan has had this foot ulcer for years. It would heal, then it would come back. One doctor said it was a bone protruding from the bottom of his foot, and because he has severe neuropathy they can't shave it down. We've been on this journey for years.

Well, we got a new podiatrist who we adore. Nice guy, very compassionate and we both go to him. He took x-rays and said that Alan has a high arch and there was no definite way to find out why he keeps getting this foot ulcer. He needs the proper orthotic (which has to be adjusted every so often). We've been doing this but actually he needs new orthotics about every 8 months.

So, what this new doctor is going to do is do a dermagraft on Alan in the hospital (probably next week). We went to him today, he debrided Alan's foot ulcer saying "coming along nicely, it's shallow now"

I use medi-honey and do a dressing every day. Thank god I know what I'm doing. Alan has to use the crow boot (which he absolutely hates) and which he won't use so I am after him to STAY OFF OF THAT FOOT.

And when the gets the dermagraft they will send him home in a Cam Walker and he will go back a week later to get the sutures out.

So ....hopefully, if the graft takes, and he his new orthotics work (he just got them adjusted) the doctor is hopeful (if he keeps off his foot until the graft heals), that THIS time, the ulcer will heal for good.

One can only hope.

He has had neuropathy for many years now and when the pain kicks in, he uses this thumper massager on his thigh which brings blood into his foot so the pins and needles go away. Also he coats his toes with bengay and lidocaine ointment. He says it helps. We've tried everything else.

Oh well.

Been awhile, I know. Hope all of you are coping okay.

Will update when he gets the dermagraft

Mel