FYI - Why Linda (shortline2) is mostly "lost"

[Klinger]

Linda,

I myself am a Type I diabetic. For the first few years I did not really take good care of my blood sugar. my Hemoglobin A1C levels peaked at about 11, when it should have been 7.5

Because of this, I have lost a good portion of my vision, thankfully by the grace of god decaying vision is my only problem. Since then I have set about changing my life style, and taking better care of myself. I finally hit my goal of getting my A1C below 10, and its been there for over 9 months, still a long way to go however

Tell your husband I wish him the best of luck. Diabetes is hard to live with, one of my best friend's wife is also diabetic, and they have no money or insurance, so he feet regularly turn black. I hope everything works out.

Keep your chin up!

-Will

 

[Snowhill]

Hello Linda,
Everyone has said most of what can be said to your and Tore but I would like to add my sincere wishes and hopes that you both pull through this together and that you will both be stronger for it. You have many friends here in the Trainz community who are thinking about you both.
Dennis

 

[HiBaller]

Linda:

My wife and I will keep you in our prayers. I have a friend with diabetes and he is not taking good care of himself. I printed out your post and made him read it. Maybe it will do some good.

My wife has also been diagnosed with the milder form, but advised it can change rapidly so we are constantly alert.

Love to you both.

Bill

 

[Pencil42]

Hi Linda,

I'm terribly sorry to hear your news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Tore.

Curtis

 

[bigboy4010]

God's prayer message box is being overloaded, and I'm joining in. I'm sending more prayers for you his way as well. Good luck to both of you.

 

[Shortline2]

An update, not a good one, but still good

Hi everyone,

First of all, thank you all for your support and good will and hearths!
Both Tore and I are very appreciative for the support shown in this hear times ahead and behind us.
Thank you for allowing to share parts of the hard times with you - and I hope maybe it will help someone else, thank you Bill for trying to use the words I wrote to help one of your friends to see the importance in taking care of one self.
I can supply pictures if it helps more, they're hard to look at, the ones from today are linked below here - but if they have to go as they might be not right in here, they can be found on my blog, or by emailing me.

I thought you all might wondering how things going with us, it has been very hard days emotionally, lot of crying and closeness - but we're both hanging in there.

I've decided to reuse what I've just posted on my blog, hope it is OK to do that.

---
Today Tore has made the decision, he called the hospital earlier today the 24th of November 2009 and said that he has reach a conclusion that he has to let go of his foot.

Its not been an easy one, in fact it been the hardest ever for him - but it has to happen.

The foot is slowly dying on him, and will eventually down the line possible end up killing Tore too, and he don't want that.
His exposed sinew/tendon (?) under the foot has for the second day now shown increased cracking up and loosing it self up - not a good sign at all.
There are no healing to see, the toes are smelling badly, number 4 is starting to get real loose, number 2 and 3 is coming after.

So far no sign of his body not being able to fight the infection he has in his foot, he been healthy after he got off the antibiotics on Friday, temperature and blood sugar stays within normal range.
We keep a close eye on this two as they are signs og his infection raising - and if it does, we call the hospital at once as a increase in the infection will decrease his chances of recover from all this with the best results as wishes for.

As far as we know, they will amputate his left leg about 12-15cm below his knee - and within a month or a half month more should be having his first prosthetic leg if all goes well. Will be from around 6-12 weeks before they expect him to be out of the hospital and the "training center" where he will go afterward - will be around 2-4 weeks in the hospital, rest is then training and more training.
He might be home for Christmas, might not be the best idea considering the crappy place we live - but we deal with that when the time comes.
I will support him the best I can when he is admitted to the hospital again, maybe next week - doubtful this week, but who knows.

We will get a letter with a date, maybe even a early phone call when the surgeon knows the time, till then, all we van do is stay safe, and do the best we can.

Tore is a very brave man! And I bow my head in admiration for his will and determination, this is the man I been fighting for all this year, this is the man that has found him self, the inner strength, and as long as he can hold on to that he and I will be OK.

If you care for some pictures, please be advised, they are strong ones - this is how he looked today:
Pic. 1 - A look at the bottom of his left foot, you can see the wound under there, also a non healing one - and where the cracking has taking place since yesterday.
Pic. 2 - A closeup of the wound under his foot.
Pic. 3 - A closeup of his dying toes from the bottom side.
Pic. 4 - A closeup of his dying toes from the top side.
Pic. 5 - A closeup of the non healing wound on the top of his foot, you can see straight into the foot and the white stuff in there is his sinew/tendons for the toes.

If you have survived the look, or decided not to see, be advised that these wounds are created by a surgeon in order to remove a lot of dead and rotten tissue and other stuff - and they looked more or less like this since 21 of October when they did the surgery... The toes are not that old though, but they still dies...

Live and learn - take care of your feet if you have diabetic, this happen is a very short time frame, the infection till it started to die was just a few days - one day I might post more pictures of the time frame, but for now, this is what I want to show.

Best wishes everyone

Linda
http://blog.cripplecreekrailroads.com/ for the "news" in my life

 

[magickmaker]

I think the word you were looking for in the first bit of the post is gangrene.

It's defined as the tissue death of an area.

The symptoms depend on the location and cause of the gangrene. If the skin is involved, or the gangrene is close to the skin, the symptoms may include:

• Discoloration (blue or black if skin is affected; red or bronze if the affected area is beneath the skin)
• Foul smelling discharge

• Loss of feeling in the area (which may occur after severe pain)

When he returns from the hospital, your husband may have "phantom" pains. My best friend went through them after losing his leg (above the knee) in a motorcycle accident. The pains can be frustrating, but make sure he knows not to let them really get to him. The hospital should help him in dealing with them, so it shouldn't be much issue.

 

[clam1952]

Hi Linda,

Hope all goes well, I think Tore has made the best decision by the looks of it, it must be hell having to suffer like that, I really feel for you both.
Hope all goes well for you from now on, things can only get better.

Just wanted to say my Step Father lost his leg in his 30's and lived to the ripe old age of 87 and managed really well, apart from a limp you wouldn't have really noticed, never stopped him doing anything he put his mind to

All the best

 

[seeseeme]

Linda, thank you for sharing with us again in your most troubled time.

I have just found out about a friend of mine. He is not a diabetic but has been in a Wheelchair for some years now since an operation that resulted in his Spinal Cord being cut. I knew he had gangrene on his foot or toes. He would not let the Surgeon cut his toe off.

He died last night from the spread of gangrene.

Sometimes we need to listen to all the advice given and make some every hard decisions.

Tore has made the hardest decision he possible has had to make in his life, and as you say his will, strength, and determination not to let this get the better of him is to be admired. He certainly is someone to be very proud of as are others who face such a similar decision.

It is so hard for many of us who have not been involved in such a situation to truly to understand what someone goes through.

Tore is not the only one having to struggle this hard time, you are as well and you should be proud of your support for him.

Craig

 

[backyard]

The best advice...

Hi Linda,

As a diabetic, and one like Tore, who didn't consider it as serious as I should have, I can understand, and sympathize with, his problem.

Fortunately, even though I wasn't eating properly, monitoring my blood sugar, or examining my feet daily as I had been told to do, I lucked out and my problems never got as serious as Tore's.

Even though I've had diabetic neuropathy for over a decade, I still have some feeling left on the bottoms of my feet and can tell when I step on something or develop a sore. All the callouses and abscesses I've had (several this year) have been caught in time to treat and eventually heal fully. Seeing a podiatrist every 3-4 months has also helped.

The past year's problems have finally taught me that diabetics need to eat properly, monitor their blood glucose levels and take their medication(s) as directed.

I praise the Lord for my good fortune and will certainly be praying for both of you.

Your Friend,

Jim Weaver

Hello Linda, I', sorry for Tores misfortune but I hope the option for amputation comes soon as the foot is now beyond repair.

You have my prayers, God Bless you and Tore!

This can happen to a diabetic person so easily! Just the smallest nick or scrape can take forever to heal and therefore is easily infected.

Stay in touch as often as possible, we are here for you all!

 

[higgikay]

Hi Linda, I would also like say that my thought's are with you and your husband. I'd just like to say that there is some positive about Tore's decision. He decided not to give up and carry on. That should give both of you hope. I wish you all luck of the world and that everything goes well.
I also learned in my life never to surrender. I hope this helps a little bit.

Kay

 

[Prowler901]

Hi Linda,

Thanks for the update on Tore. We will keep you both in our prayers for a successful surgery and a quick recovery. God Bless.

Todd

 

[Shortline2]

Hello friends,

It's been thought times mentally, but Tore been extremely brave and though through this ordeal.

I had my share of troubles, two few hours break downs and one short one when I got home yesterday night after 2,5 days away from home as I been with Tore at the hospital.

The amputation went mostly OK, he was admitted on Tuesday, but they had moved the surgery from Wednesday till Thursday and we where only told this when I was admitted to the hospital, mentally prepared for Wednesday...

Its hard typing this, so I make it brief, I was kicked out on Tuesday night from the hospital - but the last night and the first night after Tore started on his new chapter in life I was with him at the hospital, no body dared kicking me out.

It was hard to see his pain, I cry typing this, even this long after.

Yesterday, before 24 hours had passed since the surgery Tore already been out of the bed twice, first time all by his own willpower - second as start for the exercise he needs to do.

Then, two more times for a total of 4, as he tried to use the bathroom for the stuff behind...

He was so brave, I'm so proud of him - but it is hard to keep the feelings and the brave face - knowing that when he leaves the hospital I can't go with him to the place he needs to be to get used to this new chapter of his life.
Had to go home last night, for the cat and some food - but it broke my heart and spirit, and now I'm off to the hospital again.

I struggle, he is brave and hard - he will make it, I wonder if I will...

This is how it is now, take care my friends and I see you around when mind and spirit is better.

Linda

 

[matruck]

Howdy Linda,
I'm sure it's your brave face and your strength and courage that is helping hubby thru this ordeal,Stay strong and brave Linda.
You have seen the response's from all your friends here from all over the world we are all thinking of you and Tore,So write what you want and feel anytime at all,Someone from sumwhere is here to listen.
Take Care.
Cheers Mick.:wave:

 

[bendorsey]

Just be brave like Tore and hang in there. We all know you can do it.

Ben

 

[Stationbeem]

Hi Linda.

I know we don't know each other but I had to make this post.

Reading this thread has shown me that you have many, many friends around the world.

I have the utmost heartfelt respect for your way of coping with your troubles. You are a strong person. It shows in your posts. It is not a shame to describe your feelings, it shows that you have compassion and great strength.
Tore has shown his strength in getting out of bed and trying to do what he wants to do and not let his disability get the better of him. You should take great pride in what he trying to achieve and strength from his determination to get on with a new chapter in his life.


Best wishes to you both.

Regards Dave.

 

[deeelare]

Linda ,

I am certain what we type here on the Forum is of little comfort , but it shows we care , continue to be strong .
I just lost my little grandson , and what people say to comfort me is important but the sorrow is still within me , and is something that I will have to deal with until the time passes .
I hope the time passes quickly for all of us that are experiencing these types of sorrow !

Your Forum friend --- ,dave

 

[seeseeme]

Linda,

When I first read your last post, I was at a loss for words and I still am.

You are showing amazing thoughts and feelings for Tore in his time of greatest need. I am sure this is hard for a lot of us to imagine what your going thorugh.

As others have said though, we are all here for you and Tore.

Craig

 

[Shortline2]

Hello Friends,

Thank you all for the support and understanding and good wishes and thoughts!

They been good in hard times, emotionally it been a real mountain railroad, full of sharp unexpected curves, high bridges where you feel you will drop down every moment, sudden drops and raises in the track - and always wished the mine at the end is around the next curve as you want to get off the train.

We're hardly there yet, but we entered a longer piece of good graded track, the scenery is easy and both interesting and boring sometimes to look at - today we have a slow ride but it allowed me to have some free time for me and look through this forum for ages.

I try keep a diary for Tore and me, it used to help me many years ago when I went through some hard times in life with hospital time (less then Tore has by now though) and time to heal - and I hope me writing will help Tore down the line too, even if it takes allot of time and energy to try keep the info and feelings remembered long enough to write it down.

Tore is marvelous in all this, but he keeps the feelings bottled up a little to much sometimes so he has some hard times suddenly when things becomes to much, but we manage both.

He is up "walking" around on a "walker" with 4 wheels from time to time, jumping around you can say, but it is though and he can't manage long trips with it, but even a trip of 6m to and back from the toilet is a good thing!
Mostly he uses the wheelchair to get around, but he tries to do simple exercises.

Monday we're off to the Rehabilitation place for 8 days - and due to big emotionally press, and Tore's welfare, I'm invited to come with him, much to my relief because it was hard to live with the fact we where to be separated for a long time with him on this training place - it essentially broke my spirit right down as much of my energy seem to be linked to Tore.

For Christmas this place closes, but they found Tore a place on a local hospital type where he will be from the 22.12.2009 till 05.01.2010 when he is back at the Rehabilitation place for a unknown time frame.

He has started the slow process of learning the body to accept the thing that his new leg is to be attached to, started yesterday, twice a day for 30min each, then over to 1 hour time frames and then the whole day - guess that is a couple of weeks away.
It's a silicon thingy put over the rest of his leg, knee and up on his thigh to put the stress/weight/forces from the prosthetic leg over to his knee - they call it a suspension prosthetic leg/foot.

The pains are mostly taken care of with painkillers in pills, but sometimes it hurts as hell when they change the dressing on the wounds - which by the way heals mostly nicely, he had a fall on Monday that forced a few stitches to be redone as it open it up a little on the outer side, 6 stitches he broke up... :'(
I needed that fall he said as soon as he hit the floor, it was a stupid fall, was so sure about him self he did not bother to check where he was in distance from the wheelchair, so he sat near the front of it and fell sideways.

I'm still very proud of him and for what he has managed to do so far, we have though times a ahead, especially him, more pains as we spoke with a man yesterday that have both feet gone, and he warned Tore that first time walking is rather painful, but stick to it and it will be great!

Take care anybody, and if anyone reading this can pass me a link to a download of Skype as a zipfile as the one I took down last time home from Skype's website only links me to another exe file I'm not allowed to download here at the hospital as exe files are blocked, I would be thrilled as I miss Skype...

Take care anybody, and happy Trainzing with 2010 that I look forward to see maybe in 2010... Bought it as a early present to me, but it was not released until Tore had admitted him self back to the hospital the 1 December and I been here ever since I feel.

Best wishes

Linda
http://blog.cripplecreekrailroads.com/

 

[GP_38-2]

I think I can safely say the community is very proud of you Linda, you've shown more courage and willpower than ever thought possible. You're in my prayers with Tore.

Stay strong :wave:
A like minded soul