It's just a toe...

Mom started complaining a few weeks ago about an ingrown toenail.  A podiatrist comes to the assisted living center where she lives, so I hoped that doctor could take a look at it when she arrives, but it got worse quickly.

And - she is diabetic.

And - her diabetes is not in good control.

She is pretty good with her diet overall, but does indulge in desserts at times. When her sugars are high, she always says "Better high than low." That is true in the sense that she has had numerous serious low blood sugar events, and these are immediately life threatening. High blood sugars have long-term damage.

So, her ingrown toenail has become quite serious very quickly.  When I took her to the podiatrist's office, it looked awful. I'll spare you the details, but over the last few weeks, we've been aggressively treating it with antibiotics, creams, cotton, her foot being elevated, and epsom salt soaks. She is being transported in her wheelchair instead of her preferred walking. Slowly, it is improving.

We went through this with my father. He was also diabetic, in poor control.  He ended up with an amputation below the knee - but he was about 70 and much more able to rebound (prior to his death a couple years later).  On a 91-year-old woman?  Not so much....

Yes, just a toe.  But it could end up being the greatest single influence in the remaining time of Mom's life.  She has been really grouchy about the limitations and requirements to treat the toe.  But I've reminded her of the inconvenience of living with an amputation. Now, that's a bummer.

So, back to Epsom salt soaks and elevated foot and creams and antibiotics. And, please Mom, hold the grouchiness.  We're trying to save both your life and your quality of life.