More dad stuff - UPDATED

[iamgrace]

I'm so sorry.

[loveablesarah]

I'm so sorry Tamb. I can relate. My dad had is leg amputated below the knee a few years ago because he got gangrene. He stepped on the end of an extension cord of all things and it got infected (diabetes). It was really hard. Lots of hugs and T&P's for you and your parents.

((Tamb)) from a creepy internet stranger...

[Marle]

Suggest to your mom to come
Up with a plan to get him some therapy once that know how long he'll stay at mayo.

While they're impatient it is a lot easier to get someone to talk to him
and to your mom. This is very depressing. Are you bringing Joanna to see him? I don't know about schedule but it would be great for him to see her.

[gretchenindisguise]

Poor guy and poor family.

Hopefully it's just on the toes and they're able to stop it there.

[gretchenindisguise]

Aug 22, 2012 15:07:24 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

Aug 22, 2012 14:59:10 GMT -5 Marle said:

Oh no! Add insult to injury! I'm so sorry tamb!
Mayo is a really good place. They'll take care of him.

Gosh I'm sorry he has to have any kind of amputation. Is he having any kind of psychological support?

I think he was for awhile but not currently. He is on ADs. My mom finally admitted he needed them and stopped getting in the way about it. But I know that's not enough in a situation like this.

I don't know if the gangrene is localized or if it was what was causing the swelling in his legs and/or the systemic infection. (And they probably don't know at our hospital either. ) I know the tissue in a couple of his toes is dead, and when I talked to my mom earlier they were talking about debriding that, but sometime between then and when my sister just called, they started talking amputation. In my mind, I was thinking amputating his foot, but when I hung up, I realized I hadn't asked for specifics.

When he goes to the hospital, ask for one of the psychologists at the hospital to see him. They should have a team of health psychologists/rehab psychologists/or neuropsychs who do a bit of the former as well. They'll be more in tune with the health factors and how they impact his depression. I would be shocked if Mayo doesn't have them on staff.

[Bernadine]

I'm really sorry, tamb.

[Nicole]

((Tamb))

Hang in there love.

Sending you and your family tons of thoughts and prayers.

[Marle]

Aug 22, 2012 15:24:26 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

Marle, I don't want to bring J to the hospital. I know, she was born in a hospital, but it still freaks me out.

oh! No I had a lapse of mind here. I forgot that even though he is in town he is at the hospital. Yeah don't take her there.

[Deleted]

(((hugs))) and hoping for the best results at the mayo clinic.

[speckledfrog]

Tamb I'm so sorry to hear this. I know the whole thing sucks, but hopefully you will feel better about it after getting a chance to see him.

[cbwm1]

Jeebus, tamb. I'm so sorry.

[ginger]

Holy crap. I'm sorry Tamb.

[gault]

Major hugs and good thoughts to you. I'm really sorry.

[jodinia]

(hugs) tamb I am praying for you and your family

[mamasaurus]

I'm so sorry, Tamb! I know that hard as it is, seeing you will probably mean a lot to him.

({)

[Doc_Lobster]

I'm so sorry, tamb.

[Jalapeñomel]

(((hugs Tamb))))

[Deleted]

I'm so sorry. T&P to you and your family.

[bcv513]

Oh Tamb, I am so so sorry. Major T&P headed your way.

[rupertpenny]

Tamb, I am so sorry you and your family are going through this. I know I am pretty new/random, but I am in town and generally have more time on my hands than I know what to do with so please let me know if you or your family need anything. My thoughts are with you.

[underwaterrhymes]

I'm so so sorry, Tamb. Hugs, thoughts, and prayers your way.

[scotty]

<3

[HiC]

I'm so sorry Tamb. I'm keeping you guys in my thoughts. I hope your dad gets better news at Mayo.

[flex]

I'm so sorry this has been so rough on you. I'll add your dad to my prayers.

[hisno1girl]

Tamb, I'm so sorry to hear this news about your dad. I can imagine how much this is tearing you up.

I don't know what else to say.

((((tamb & tamb's dad)))))

[sneetch]

I'm sorry tamb

[dcannie]

I'm so sorry, tamb.

[ElizabethBennet]

I'm so sorry

I don't know if this will make you feel any better but my brother lost his leg when he was 11, so I can kinda understand the fear that goes along with it after watching my brother go through it. But now he walks with no problem and almost 13 years later most people don't even know he is missing a leg. It's a scary scary thing that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Prayers for you guys.

[orangeblossom]

Aug 22, 2012 14:28:36 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

He has an infection that got in through his foot (open sores, ultimately stemming from a botched surgery he had like 10 years ago). He has gangrene in his toes and they are talking about amputation.. of his toes? his foot? his leg? I'm not sure. I just talked to my sister briefly. Anyway, since Tallahassee sucks, they're transporting him to Mayo Clinic for a second opinion. He's understandably a mess over it. I have to go up there tonight to visit if he hasn't been transferred yet, and I'm dreading it.

UPDATE: ugh. It's so much worse than I thought. He's not being transported tonight. MAYBE tomorrow morning if Mayo decides to take his case. His doctor here said that sometimes they just agree w/ the diagnosis and treatment plan of the local doctors and decide not to take a patient. Anyway, his albumin levels are low, which affects his body's ability to heal itself. They'd been trying to up his protein intake, and he was doing well until this gangrene stuff today. Now he's depressed and nauseated and can't eat. My mom asked the vascular surgeon about his ability to heal after surgery, and the surgeon admitted that as things stand now, he wouldn't be able to heal after surgery either. He was actually talking about knowing when it's "time to go."

My dad goes back and forth on whether he even wants to make the trip over to Mayo or stay here and just die of gangrene like it's the goddamn 19th century. My mom reminded him that he thought he was dying this time last year, based on the medical opinions he got here, and that things seemed much less dire after he was seen at Mayo. I am trying to keep that in mind too. And then his asshole cancer dr. here reminded them that even if he survives this, they still have terminal cancer to deal with.

I haven't been up there yet because I can't handle it tonight. I'll go tomorrow. I keep feeling like I'm on the verge of a panic attack. :(

Oh, and they are talking about amputating at least halfway up his left calf and his right big toe if they amputate. He and my mom are all distraught about the prospect of him being w/o his foot, but in a way, I think they would be better off. He can barely get around now, and falling is a constant fear. Plus, his foot is at an ongoing risk of infection. He can barely feel them but still tries to walk on them. I don't know. I tried to mention this to my mom as an "if it comes to that" scenario, but she was not having it. I suck at this.

Mostly on MM, but have been following your post (not in a creepy way I promise). I know this is just my personal family experience, but also some work experience mixed in, it may very well be better if they do an amputation up to the calf, because if the first amputation doesn't work they will have to do another operation.

Many times they try to do the most minimal reduction to spare the entire limb, which makes sense, but often times it can make it worse.

If you want to PM me, I'd be happy to tell you my family's experience with something similar and/or support.

Very sorry you're dealing with this.

[silva]

Tamb, I'm so sorry you are going through this. Stay strong and I will be thinking positive thoughts for you and your family. hugs.