Recurring foot ulcer and cast and boot
 

Hi all. It's been quite a while since I've posted. I've been taking care of Alan and all his infirmities. The one which really affects him is the foot ulcer he has had for 10 years or so. It's all about the custom shoes he wears. Now he has the right shoe attached to a brace. He is getting new custom shoes but he can't wear them until his foot ulcer is completely healed. I was using Santyl Colaginase but it did nothing. I know how to take care of his foot ulcer and dress it and bandage it. But because of his shoes, it invariably comes back.

So last week his podiatrist tried something new. He is using a custom cast and then a shoe. Alan is to keep off his feet as much as possible. He only has this new cast on a week and today he went back to get it off, a new one put on and he goes back next week. To say this is hard on me is putting it mildly believe me. I am his caregiver and because I was hit by a car last year, I have nerve damage in my left leg (which I can't raise) but I do the best I can. His family completely abandoned us when I was in the nursing home. But I digress. Here is my concern.

I asked the doctor "did his ulcer get better after one week in his cast?" He said "melody, it's only been one week, it takes time". I said "okay, but do you have a plan B if this doesn't work?" He looked at me and said 'yeah, but I'm not ready to talk about it yet" So I said 'you might not be ready but I have to take care of this man, so what is your next plan? He said "to remove the metatarsal bone". I went home when Alan had the second cast put on and I googled this subject matter and it did indeed explain that in case of ulcerations, they do indeed remove the second metatarsal head (or something like that) in cases of non healing foot ulcers. It also said they send you home sometimes in a cast with crutches. I had asked the doctor if they would put a cast on Alan and the doctor said "NO"

Alan has severe neuropathy (Idiopathic). for many many years. If they do indeed do an operation on him how do I take care of him at home with yet another cast and one he can't walk on because when I read about this it said the person should not do any walking at all. While Alan uses a walker and has walked a bit, he can walk right now. If they don't put a cast on him what will they do once the metatarsal bone is removed?

He's too big to lift, I have to do everything in the house, cook clean, do the wash, serve him, he can't do anything for himself because he has psoriatic arthritis and can barely feel his hands. He has auto immune issues. I'm trying not to come off as feeling sorry for myself but I want to know what might happen if they operate and send him home. Have any of you ever had this kind of operation?

I'd like to pick your brain a bit if you don't mind. I'm so tired and my legs are spasming all the time. I finally purchased a product called Theraworx. for muscle spasms. Guess what? the stuff helps quite a bit. These spasms were killing me. I think it's all stress.

Any input is very appreciated, believe me.

Melody