Bad Circulation

It's been an interesting couple of weeks with Papa, finding out that he has no blood flow in his right foot, and very little in his left. 

It began several weeks ago when I realized he'd been flinching for a few days every time I helped him get his shoes back on. I mentioned it to Janet and she made an appointment with the podiatrist. We love our podiatrist. She's old-school; with a small, unassuming office, orthopedic shoe display by the counter, and kind and gentle treatment. She's been helping Papa with his feet for years. She pulled Janet aside to tell her that the ulcer between Papa's toes is gangrene. That is not a word you want to hear.

We had to wait until Thursday to see the vascular surgeon here in Ithaca, who couldn't believe that Papa was still walking. The next morning we headed to the hospital for an Ankle-Brachial Index and CT scan, and later that day we had to make the trip to Syracuse to consult with their vascular surgeons. We were sent home at 2 am Saturday morning. 

Imagine how tired you would feel after all of that. For someone in Papa's condition, at his age, the experience borders on traumatic. Two days later, and he's still confused, but at least he has his appetite back. And although there didn't appear to be an active infection in his toes when he saw the doctors on Thursday and Friday, by Saturday it was oozing.

What's the prognosis? We can't put him through the type of interventions that could possibly help; multiple bypasses or amputation of his leg above the knee. He's too frail to survive anything like that. So we'll keep him home, clean his feet twice a day, apply the outrageously expensive foam pads with silver on the ulcer, and pray. 

Maybe it's not quite Papa's time to leave us. He's been incredibly blessed, healthy, and active for most of his life. He's outlived his parents and all of his siblings. And maybe it is. It isn't ever easy to say good bye to someone you love, whether it's a shock (in the case of my dad), or expected and prepared for.

For now we'll just enjoy our time with him. And wait.