A question for anyone in the medical field
 

I have an aunt that lives in Florida. She's been in a rehab center for about a month after suffering a major stroke after having bypass surgery on her neck. I just got an email from my uncle saying that she lost her big toe to gangrene. How does gangrene start? And how do you get gangrene in a medical facility?????? :(

She's supposed to have heart bypass surgery, but I don't think she's healthy enough yet.......

Thats fucked.

Gangrene only gets in when the said person isnt taken care of very well. I am guessing she was a victim of sheer negligence. Sue the staff.

It comes from infection and if her immune system is shot due to other medical problems an infection can easily occur. ESPECIALLY if her circulation is bad. It COULD be negligence but it could also be her body being unable to fight off infection.

That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure. I think I'll be calling my cousin tonight to see if she's doing anything about the way they're treating (or not treating, in this case) her Mom.

Thanks, V. Remember I said earlier I was having a crap day at work? This is part of the reason.

True.

But they could have dealt with the infection. She was in the MC, not at home.

Very true, but suing may be very difficult because she already had medical complications that can reduce bloodflow and weaken the immune system. I'm not saying the medical center isn't to blame but I think it could be tough to do anything legally to them unless you can show specific signs of neglect.

Just heard from my uncle again, and he said they tried to put a stent (sp?) in her foot, but were unable because the arteries were too clogged.

Thank you V and Despare, for the info.

Yep. And right now her health is more important anyway.

I just hope the toe took all the gangrene with it. If even one cell remained back, it would spread further. Fast.

I hope she is under specialists' care, Margie. My best wishes to her.

Thanks, Avi. I try not to call my cousin because I know she's dealing with a lot of stuff right now. My Mom has a very large family - she's 1 of 12 kids, 10 of which are still alive. I just wait to hear from my uncle or my other aunt who's down in Florida with the sick aunt. But the waiting is very difficult........

As far as I've known that device is a small screen, they go into an artery and inflate an angioplasty balloon with a stent around it. They remove the ballon but the sten stays in place keeping the artery open and letting blood flow freely.


_V_ is right, your Aunt's health is what's really important and I wish her well. Let's hope the medical team is good.

Thanks, Despare, I appreciate that.

I know how that goes, hon. Dont worry, all will be well.

Try to keep in contact with them.

My uncle is the main one that gives me updates on her. This is the uncle I visited in September in upstate New York.

She needs penicillin. Then SUE the FUCK out of those bitches if you decide it's negligence. The worst thing in this world is when people who are supposed to save your life end it.

It's up to my cousin to sue them if it comes to that. It's been such a rollercoaster ride with her ever since the neck bypass. I'm tired of riding and want to get off now, please, thank you.

Thanks, Posher.

Sorry to hear this Hammer.When i worked in a nursing home we seen this kinda thing all the time.Patients would come from other nursing homes with it due to neglect most of the time.Its not always the reason though.I hope she gets better!

Thanks, pink. I've been sitting at my desk here at work getting myself all worked up about her - I gotta calm down!

So sorry to hear this. I hope that she is now getting the best care possible and she gets better. All my best to her and your family.

Thanks, jenna. I appreciate it.

Gangrene is caused by death of tissue (ie tissue necrosis).

It can be caused by infection, but is very often caused by tissue ischaemia (insufficient blood flow to tissue). This can either be microvascular or macrovascular. Often ischaemia is due to atheromatous plaques (blockages in the vessels) but it can also be caused by vasculitis or other causes of blocking or narrowing of blood vessels (eg sickle cell anaemia).

People with diabetes mellitus are at extra risk of both microvascular and macrovascular insufficiency. Smokers are also at greater risk. Naturally, people with vascular disease in other parts of the body (eg ischaemic heart disease or carotid artery stenosis) are usually at risk of ischaemic disease in other parts of the body.

If they tried to use a stent, it would indicate to me that there was probably some macrovascular disease (ie atheroma in one of the arteries supplying the foot). Stents are useful if the atheromatous plaque is reasonably discrete, but if there is extensive narrowing, a stent is probably not going to do the trick.

If it is possible to bypass the blockages, a bypass graft can be attempted, but that depends on again the extensiveness of the disease and the physical health of the patient (ie is the risk of a longish and complex operation greater than the expected benefit).

So the gangrene may or may not have been a result of 'negligence'. I really don't think we can say without all the facts.

I really hope things work out for the best. It is very distressing to see a loved one sick.

My sincerest best wishes to you and your family.

Thanks Manchestr - for the information and the the good wishes.

Thought I would give you an update on my aunt. They're going to amputate her leg up to the knee. The surgeon told my cousin that she's not a candidate for the heart bypass. I don't know any particulars, like why she's not a candidate, but I hope to find out soon.

I hope everything works out ok,sorry to hear this.My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Thanks, Maggie

Last night I received an email from one of my uncles that she has fluid around her heart, double pneumonia, and the gangrene is spreading rapidly. They can't do the amputation until the pneumonia goes away.

This morning I received an email from the same uncle that she has been put in hospice and her breathing tube removed. Please pray to whoever you believe in that her suffering ends soon.

Thank you for all your prayers and good wishes.

I may be heading to Florida soon.

Really, really sorry to hear that things have gone this way. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Really terrible and distressing news.

I hope you and your family have the strength to pull through this difficult time. I will be thinking of you, HF.

okies ..
my cousin had just recently had the same 2 heart valve replacement ops.
The 1st the left valve wasnt pumping fast enough .causing the blood to
leak into his lungs.
his immune system went totally down.
he fell asleep in the sun..
to make a long story short..the sun burnt his foot..causing a small blister to form..
it got bigger and bigger.despite the treatment done to it..infected his whole foot..eventually causing gangrene and of course amputation.
It somehow went to his other foot ..killing 2 of his toes..which also had to be amputated..
This is not the hospitals fault..however in regards to ure aunt..she may have had an infection that nobody took any notice of..could have been something as simple as a mosquito bite.
I will try and paste the picture of my cousins foot in here

Hammer ..give me ure e mail acc n i will forward it to u ok