[Nina]

I am new to the forum and do not know if this topic was discussed already so, please, let me know.
I would like to ask a question on behalf of my in-law, she was diagnosed with diabetes about two years ago and takes insulin twice a day.
It has been more than two months since she had her appendicitis operation, but it does not heal. She is obese woman and that contributes to the problem as well, but the main problem is the diabetes. The operation place was cleaned a few times already, she had a different procedures to help it heel, she has changed 3 doctors, but nothing helps!
I was just wondering, if somebody had the same problem and maybe you could advise how we can help her? She currently lives in Russia, maybe there are some medications here, in the USA, so we could send to her to help to heal?
Please, advise. She is really stressed right now about the problem and is tired from all the procedures with "the hole in her stomach", as she calls it. She can not perform her daily duties normally and her life is very affected by it. I wold really appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!

 

[johnleveritt]

I am new to the forum and do not know if this topic was discussed already so, please, let me know.
I would like to ask a question on behalf of my in-law, she was diagnosed with diabetes about two years ago and takes insulin twice a day.
It has been more than two months since she had her appendicitis operation, but it does not heal. She is obese woman and that contributes to the problem as well, but the main problem is the diabetes. The operation place was cleaned a few times already, she had a different procedures to help it heel, she has changed 3 doctors, but nothing helps!
I was just wondering, if somebody had the same problem and maybe you could advise how we can help her? She currently lives in Russia, maybe there are some medications here, in the USA, so we could send to her to help to heal?
Please, advise. She is really stressed right now about the problem and is tired from all the procedures with "the hole in her stomach", as she calls it. She can not perform her daily duties normally and her life is very affected by it. I wold really appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!

Does your in-law take care of her diabetes (check her BS, take enough insulin). My father-in-law had wounds that wouldn't heal, and he ate whatever he wanted to. He always said, if he couldn't live the way that he wanted to, he would just die, and he did. He got gangrene in the foot, and I was there with him when he had it deb reed (sp) (and you don't ever want to see that). Then he had to have dialysis because of kidney failure. And all of this after he had to have a heart bypass (some of those incisions didn't heal right either).

Maybe that is why most of us take really good care of our diabetes.

 

[Terrie]

Hello Nina:

Gee, that sounds bad. Is she on Insulin or oral meds.? Is the whole infected? She must get her sugars down in order for the wound to heal properly. I'm surprised that her Dr. didn't put her on Insulin just until the wound heals. If it is infected then she should be on an antibiotic. She would have to get a prescription from her Dr. for both. I wish her success in healing the wound. Welcome!

 

[Nina]

Thanks to everybody for your responses. It really helps with some information, as we are not very familiar with the topic.
To johnleveritt: Indeed, she does not care much about her diet, at least, she did not, before the operation. When I was asking her if it is good for her, when she eats cakes and chocolates, she said "Yes", she is taking her insulin anyway. I was trying to switch her to special chocolate for diabetics, but it did not work. the information you have told about your father-in-law made us think, how serious it is.
To Terrie: She is taking antibiotics the whole time since the operation. Different every time. Does not help. But I will try to convince her about the sugars. The only problem, this morning she was admitted to the hospital again, they are going to do another operation (second after her appendicitis) to clean the place.
Thanks to everybody again.
And I will appreciate any suggestions or information on the topic. Maybe somebody can suggest special medication for people with diabetes, to help her heal?

 

[johnleveritt]

To johnleveritt: Indeed, she does not care much about her diet, at least, she did not, before the operation. When I was asking her if it is good for her, when she eats cakes and chocolates, she said "Yes", she is taking her insulin anyway. I was trying to switch her to special chocolate for diabetics, but it did not work. the information you have told about your father-in-law made us think, how serious it is.

I would think that she would take better care of her diet, unless she doesn't realize how serious diabetes is. It's a killer, and until she realizes that, she's not going to take anything that anyone says seriously.

Her wounds not healing is just the start, and until she changes her lifestyle, it will just get worse.

And don't count on the hospitals knowing anything about diabetes. Where I go for classes put on by my pump maker, there is a nurse, and she told me that. She says that unless hospitals, doctors, or nurses are specialist in the care of diabetes, it's just a minor inconvenience to them, and most of them aren't. That's why if you can, talk her onto seeing an endo, if you can. They do specialize in diabetes. I know that after a while my GP just threw up his hands, and sent me to my endo, and I've been under control since. But the patient has to be willing to change some things too. Eating cake, and chocolate all of the time has to stop.

 

[Terrie]

Hi Nina:

Your in-law is probably in denial of Diabetes. I know too many Family and Friends who have died from it...painfully. Both my Aunt([email protected]) and my Hubby's Aunt([email protected])both died after 16 years of Diabetes denial. As John said, it has to be made clear to her that eating sugary foods will kill her.

Actually almost All foods are converted into glucose in the body. So eating too much of most foods is not good. Potatoes, gravies, pasta, breads, choclate milk, regular sodas, snack foods such as chips, etc. candy, candy bars of any sort, etc should be removed from her home, if she cannot eat them in small amounts.

Pack her fridge with sugar-free, diet, low carb, low fat: yogurts, jellos, juice(sugar-free powder mixed)puddings, meats(non-processed), plain cheeses(block of cheddar, mozzarella, etc.), cottage cheese, Glucerna bars, olive oil for if she frys her food and mixed with spices and vinegar for salads), tons of romaine lettuce, mini carrots, radishes, red(good for healing), yellow, orange and green peppers, onions, mushrooms, grape tomatoes or Tiny Toms, cucumbers, celery sticks, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, black berries, apples, pears, small bananas, low-carb brown bread(Her Family could make her sandwiches with processed meats, if it's easier).(Her Family could also make her salads with pieces of boiled eggs, pieces of grilled pork, chicken or steak, mushrooms, pieces of block cheese, or crisp bacon, etc., etc. Whatever she prefers. There is a lot out there. Fill her up on the Good stuff. Cod liver oil capsules, vitamins with her Drs. okay., of course. If she can't live without sodas...then buy her diet sodas then.

I'm sorry that she and her Family are going through this. It's Not fair.

I'm sorry, I've had 2 C-Sections and 2 other surgeries and I didn't have a problem healing. Actually my Surgeon was Amazed at my Great muscle tone(I've was always an active Person. Not as much now). I've never had a wound that didn't heal by itself. For cuts or small wounds, I just put Peroxide on it and when it's dry, a bit of Neosporin. So I'm not aware of any healing meds. for Bad infections or wounds except for antibiotics which I've barely ever taken.

Here is a link that I hope will be helpful to you. Read through the site, then go to the bottom and click on About Us. There is a Directory on the left on one of the pages. I presume it is for Patients. Sorry, I don't have the time to read through it. If these People are not able to help you, then perhaps they can direct you to someone more useful in her case. Much Luck!! Anymore questions? Don't be shy.

Wound Healing, Wound Healing Center