That was before my last HBA1c blood test result came back with an encouragingly reduced score that caused my doctor to say, "You are now out of the diabetic range. You are not diabetic or pre-diabetic. You are in the normal range".
But Sandra wasn't having any of that. She could see my medical history on her computer screen and advised that though my lifestyle changes and weight loss had been very helpful, I was still pre-diabetic in her book.
It's all very confusing.
Anyway, Sandra inspected my feet, tested the blood flow and the sensitivity of my toes and concluded that there were issues that I should pay attention to. She has been studying people's feet for twenty six years so she knows what she is talking about.
Sandra was bright and quick-witted with a no-nonsense style. Still passionate about her chosen sphere of healthcare, she has heard it all before. When she was pricking my toes and asking if I could feel anything, I said, "Maybe". She said, "No, not maybe. The answer can be only yes or no."
The way she spoke about feet and toes really pressed home the keypoints she wanted me to take from the appointment. She urged me to check the soles of my feet daily with the aid of a mirror. She encouraged me to use foot cream but not to get that cream between my toes and she spoke of the importance of drying my feet carefully and thoroughly. She also cut my toenails and measured my feet, advising that my left foot is longer than my right foot - something that I never knew before.
I told Sandra that she should make YouTube videos about foot care and thanked her for the consultation and her advice. I said, "It has been a privilege to meet you" and I meant it. As I was about to leave, Sandra handed me an NHS podiatry services leaflet titled "Moderate risk of non-healing wounds and amputation" (Diabetes information and advice to help your life and limbs).
It's hard for me to explain but in the way she went about her work, Sandra was exceptional. She had knowledge, experience, forthrightness and kindness - a winning combination. Because I understand things much better now, I plan to give my feet closer attention in the future - just as if Sandra was in the room watching me.
Sandra and all the women like her are the hope of this country. This world.
ReplyDeleteI neglected to mention, Mr Haggerty, that Sandra is Scottish from that land that lies north of Hadrian's Wall. He had the right idea.
DeleteScotland, Senegal, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Slovenia -
DeleteWomen will be at the forefront of peace-making, community & reconciliation.
Our world is in crisis. Angry men listen to wives, mothers, sisters, grannies.
The Big Orange Gobshite cannot understand what his Slovenian wife is saying half the time.
DeleteBig Orange Gobshite. Roddy Doyle's new novel. The Donald's downfall.
Delete"Big Orange Gobshite" is a new miniseries, featuring Jack Haggerty as J.D.Vance. Type-casting rules! In the last episode, the title character explodes - not with anger but literally. Bits of him everywhere. Oh dear!
DeleteAs Bobby Darren once said to Andy Williams :
Delete* You sure know how to hurt a guy ! *
Good foot care is essential when there is neuropathy. Does the NHS subsidise the care? I get 5 subsidised visits per year but I see my podiatrist every four weeks
ReplyDeleteAll being well, this was my only free appointment with an NHS podiatrist. Now it is up to me to look after my feet but I can always get back in touch if there is a problem. In fact, Sandra urged me to do that sooner rather than later.
DeleteYou have got me wondering why you mustn't get foot cream between the toes - maybe because it causes fungal infections. Sandra certainly seems to know her stuff and is putting you on the right footing (haha).
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about the potential for fungal infections Addy.
DeleteA lot of doctors here in Canada have abandoned using the concepts of "pre-diabetes" and going "in and out" of being diabetic as nonsense. Once you're diabetic, you're diabetic and need to conduct yourself accordingly. Foot care is essential. If neuropathy sets in, you can't feel when your feet are injured. Any small cuts or blisters you get (let alone more serious injuries) take a long, LONG time to heal. I remember the first time I didn't feel the creation of a small bleeding injury on my foot. What a shock it was. It put the fear of god into me, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debra. You are almost as forthright as Sandra was.
DeleteWe easily ignore our feet until the protest as we age. While I knew diabetes can cause amputations, I wasn't aware that there could be ongoing treatments to reduce the likelihood.
ReplyDeleteThe best "on-going" treatments are comfortable shoes that fit, reduced blood pressure, losing weight and good personal foot hygiene - including checking the soles of one's feet almost daily. I had not seen the soles of my own feet in many years.
DeleteSandra was convincing so it's easier to buy the information if we trust the person. Sandra knows her stuff. You have the sense to believe her. Keep diabetes under control. You've worked at it so far with success.
ReplyDeleteThanks Red. Till the end of my life the battle will never be won.
DeleteDon't get the cream between the toes? I'll try to avoid that in future.
ReplyDeleteDrying carefully between one's toes after a shower or bath or swimming is important.
DeleteWould it everyone went about their jobs with that winning combination of knowledge, experience, forthrightness and kindness! It is a "win-win" situation, too - both the person who does the job and the person who is at the receiving end benefit greatly.
ReplyDeleteSandra's advice to check your feet daily is really important. I have been doing that for many years, knowing that my entire wellbeing largely depends on healthy feet and being able to walk - would not want to risk losing that ability, or making it unnecessarily painful.
I have never before given my feet much attention but that changed on Monday afternoon thanks to Sandra.
DeleteWe need more Sandras in our world.
ReplyDelete...and less Donalds and Nigels.
DeleteFewer!!!!
DeleteOops! Sorry Traveller.
DeleteSometimes, YP, I think there are two UK’s. In one version people are generally polite and helpful, health care is there and professionally and compassionately provided, London is not a crime filled dreadful place all brought on by the nasty Muslim mayor, the current government trying to make the best of the mess they inherited.
ReplyDeleteIn the other UK, crime is everywhere, people aren’t respectful, doctors appointments are impossible to get and when you get one the person has an accent or makes you cry, the Daily Mail is always right and things were so much better in the 1960s.
We seem to live in the first version of the UK even though you live “up north” and I don’t.
I know exactly what you mean about those two versions. I presume that you live down south Traveller though your name suggests that you are a member of the gipsy community so you probably get around - from Tunbridge Wells to Slap Bottom in Hampshire.
DeleteHaha not from the travelling community but have lived and worked on four continents and six countries. I have been an immigrant for the vast majority of my life and find the Daily Mail themed “life was much better in the late 1960s when everything was possible….provided you were white, male from money…”somewhat tiresome.
DeleteYes...tiresome is the word. I tend to relate to what you write Traveller though I do not even know if you are a man or a woman. Please go to the bathroom for a self-examination and report back.
DeleteHave checked and all the bits that should be there are present, I am pleased to report.
DeleteDoctors and other medical professionals like Sandra are rare and precious.
ReplyDeleteSome of them just go through the motions.
DeleteSounds like she knows feet.
ReplyDeleteListen to her.
I wish I had a tape recording of what she said to me.
DeleteWhen I find a doctor that is not only good medically, but has a passion for his/her job, it is pure gold. Sandra seems like a winner on both counts.
ReplyDeleteEven after twenty six years - still at the top of her game. A true diamond.
DeleteShe will do her best to keep you on your feet for years to come.
ReplyDeleteI do not expect I will go back to her unless some worrying issue occurs and I get another referral from my doctor.
DeleteMy right foot is a half size larger than my left foot. Thanks for the foot advice! I will start checking more carefully now!
ReplyDeleteGood! I am very glad that my account may have influenced just one other senior citizen to be more foot-conscious.
DeleteMy grandad lost his leg to diabetes. Sounds like you're in good hands (or feet).
ReplyDelete