I can't do anything about the predisposition toward obesity, but I can control my diet and try to keep my weight down. I have lost 25 pounds since I was diagnosed with diabetes shortly before Christmas. When my doctor sees my weight, he may even congratulate me for going from morbidly obese to just really fat, but he will let me know that I have more weight to lose.
He will also let me know that my A1C and blood sugar levels are still in the diabetic ranges, but that if I keep doing what I am doing, I am more likely to get off of Metformin than I am to needing insulin. I'm trending well on weight loss.
I went to urgent care a week ago when I recognized the redness and swelling in my left leg as similar to a cellulitis infection that I had years ago in the other leg. After the doctors examined it, they sent me for a blood draw to run some tests. They took me back when the lab results were in. My white blood cell count was high, which verified the infection.
They took another close look at my leg and foot to see if they could find a source for the infection. They could not find a break in the skin nor signs of athlete's foot. They found a pulse, which I believe they wanted in order to eliminate a blood clot. They drew a line around the redness and prescribed two antibiotics for seven days, which is up today.
The VA called yesterday. My primary care team referred me to wound care to have it looked at, bless their hearts. They are concerned about how it healed with the complicating factor of diabetes. I will be getting ready for my appointment soon.
The appointment with wound care is actually welcome because I intended to go back to urgent care. They would notice the reduction in swelling, but that the swelling is not gone. They will also notice that the redness has receded to within the lines, but that there is still a noticeable red spot in the middle of my shin.
Perhaps they will find the remnants of a spider bite or a small cat scratch, or something like that. I don't see anything like those, but the people I am seeing today are trained to spot details that I will learn from them. I always try to learn lessons from my experiences.
This is not a solicitation for medical advice or suggestions for diet and weight loss programs. I get all of that through my health care provider. It is an update for anyone who is interested and a journal entry for me.
Update: The wound care specialist said that she was noticing that the swelling above the red mark is gone. There is still swelling between the red spot and my toes, even though it has subsided quite a bit. She pointed to some spots on the top of my foot and said that was coming from some small cracks between my toes.
I always thought athlete's foot was athlete's foot, and that some was worse than others because it wasn't properly treated. It turns out that there are different types of athlete's foot due to different causes for it. The type I had usually dealt with are the result of coming into contact with a fungus on a floor or shower.
This type is apparently caused by my retirement lifestyle and cold weather. I've always worn socks to keep my feet warm in cold weather. I've also always changed my socks if my feet sweated during the day. If my feet are not cold, I don't usually wear socks except when I am wearing shoes. If I am hanging out at the house, I generally wear slippers or flip flops.
I had to ashamedly admit to this young lady that I don't change my socks two-to-three times a day, let alone wash my feet and dry between my toes thoroughly that often. (Actually, I said I sometimes wear the same pair of socks more than one day if they don't get wet and my feet didn't sweat, but it all means the same thing.) She prescribed some antifungal cream that I am to apply two times a day after washing my feet and drying between my toes thoroughly.
It is her opinion that there is no need for antibiotics or any more wound care appointments since she is satisfied that what remains is a bacterial fungus stemming from athlete's foot. She prescribed enough antifungal cream to last for six weeks. If I follow instructions, I should notice a reduction in swelling and I should also see those red spots disappear. She also made certain that I understood that foot hygiene is important even when I don't have athlete's foot.
I love the people who work in the VA medical system. They give me their tender, loving care, and then they thank me for my service.
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Dealing With Diabetes
