Diabetes Alert Day 2019!
Hello Diabetic Survivors! Today is Diabetes Alert Day in the United States. Diabetes continues to be scourge, affecting as many as 440 million people globally. As part of Diabetes Alert Day 2019 we have been asked to share our why. My co-authors and I write articles and answer questions because we want to help those with diabetes to thrive, and to help them understand what is going on with the disease process as it affects their feet.
My Why
I have accepted a new position as a high-risk or limb-salvage podiatrist with MultiCare in the Pacific Northwest. Why I continue working with this challenging high-risk population is because some of you badly need the help and the information. And I also do it because you are a challenging population to work with, and because I feel you deserve good information. I continue to believe that with better information you will be able to make better choices. You may still have bad outcomes, but if you read the articles on the website you will know some of what is in store if you fail to quit smoking, get your sugar under better control, and check your feet daily.
The Two Step Program
In my clinics, and in the lectures that I give, I have a simple two step program. Step one is to check your feet daily. Step two is if you see anything you don’t like (during your foot exam) then CALL FOR HELP! You don’t have to go it alone on this diabetic journey. This website goes out across the world, anyone with an internet connection can access it, so you won’t all be calling me, but if you have diabetes find a qualified podiatrist and establish care.
How You Can Help
Please share this article with friends and family. Once again, here is the link for the test for prediabetes. Every time you talk about diabetes with a friend or family-member, and they remind you that they don’t have diabetes, ask them to go to this website and take the prediabetes test. Diabetes may not be as far from them as they would prefer. The test is also available in Spanish here.
DiabeticSurvivors!
Here is wishing you all the best in your health and in your endeavors! Please share the site with those who would benefit. Your recommendations to friends and family are my best marketing. Thank you for your support, and here is looking forward to the coming year with all of my DiabeticSurvivors.
- More information on prediabetes and type 2 diabetes from the Center for Disease Control.
- Diabetic Survivor infographic on how diabetes is spreading across the world.
- Diabetic Survivor video on how a blister can lead to an amputation. If you haven’t seen this yet, view it now.
Diabetic Survivor
For the Survivors. Choose Life.
I have been seeing Dr. McKee for several years now. I met him when I had a surgery done that I was hesitant over and with good reason since it created a very troublesome outcome which led me straight to the office of Dr. James McKee. Prior to his care I was told I needed pins placed in my toes to straighten them out since the condition “hammertoes” was developing quickly and making it difficult to walk. Well fast forward post surgery and one pin later decided it wasn’t going to stay put. I kept informing the surgery what I was feeling and he crushed me off saying that the pin was not going to come out when I kept telling him that’s what it felt like. By the time I was in Dr. McKee office the pin had ejected through the top of my great toe and surgery was a definite must. My toe was the size of a Granada and red as a pepper. I ended up with Osteomyelitis and Dr McKee informed me I might possibly be looking at an amputation. So after a second surgery to correct the first he did have to remove some bone, and a infectious diseases doctor joined my medical team. Fast forward three weeks later and the wound was not healing. So after a long journey of convincing myself that the amputation was the only reasonable option I finally reached a point of acceptance so when I seen Dr McKee again for a pre op visit and schedule the amputation surgery he unwrapped try foot and the wound had already started to heal on the inside. I got very lucky and I owe it all to Dr. McKee . Some people think , oh well it’s just a toe could be worse, but I wasn’t ready to finish my life out with missing parts. Since then after a few other visits with Dr McKee I finally was back to normal. Did I happen to mention this whole ordeal actually started out because of a blister.? In my opinion, Dr McKee is the best out there when it comes to preventing, or prolonging any kind of diabetic foot trouble and solutions for when or if they do arise. Not too many orthopedic doctors, and some podiatrists are even familiar with the condition “Charcot” so if you find one make sure to hang on to them and ask questions over and over. If your a northwest resident and fortunate enough to become a patient of Dr McKees you have landed yourself @ your feet in the best care possible. Once again thank you Dr. McKee for giving me my life back.