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Suggest Treatment For Swollen Legs With Sores And White Discoloration Of Feet

Posted on Wed, 10 Sep 2014

Question: My mom is 90. She is a Christian Scientist and does not go to Drs. unless there is an emergency and I force her. She broke her hip 3 years ago, sat in a care facility for a month and I finally flew in and took her to the hospital. After her surgery, they gave her 4-6 months due to the blood clot in her legs and hypertension. They never really diagnosed CHF. She got better. Last fall she fell, broke her arm and developed lower lymphedema in both legs. Her arm was set and healed, however her legs and feet are huge, they leak so much that she needs to be changed several times a day. She has had huge sores, and now her feet are turning white, and don't even look like feet. She can't walk, and her life seems very difficult. She won't go to the Dr. and is in a non medical care facility, where they do basic care for her and cleaning of her legs. It would be helpful to understand what to expect in terms of life expectancy as well as signs that the end is near as she is determined not to have any medical intervention. If I could, I would take her to the hospital where they would elevate her legs, give her diuretics, antibiotics, everything to help the symptoms, but she refuses. This is so difficult to manage without a physician giving us guidance.

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Picture of her swollen legs are needed...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am really sorry for your mother.

Can you please send a picture of her legs? That could be helpful in assisting you further.

I understand you are going through a difficult situation dealing with your mother who is :
- at her elderly
- Christian

Until you send me the picture, you can say the following to your mom as a message from me:
"God loves people. When they are in need, He helps them. We are humans. He has taught us (as humans) what to do in cases of medical issues. We should help ourselves as we are going to respond to God's questions on how we took care of our body when we were living on the Earth.

So, it is out duty to take care of our body, it is our responsibility. We have a mission to complete on Earth: To believe God and follow his guidance in everything we do on this Earth. He has provided lots of gifts to us, including our body/health. We can do our part as humans. If we fail, then, let's God's willing be done. At least, we have tried."

From what you are describing, I do not think it is her end, but she needs to take care of her sores properly. Should run X-ray of the lower limbs to see if broken bones are still continuing to give problems to her legs resulting in swelling and sores.

Looking forward to have the picture in for further specific advice! God bless to your mom and all of you!
Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Albana Sejdini (17 hours later)

She would probably not let me photograph them. I found a photo that is similar to what she looks like, but there is no where to upload. Her legs were not broken. It was a broken arm that caused her legs to swell last year because she wouldn't move from her chair. 3 years ago, it was a broken hip, and a blood clot in the legs which caused the Dr. to give her 4 months to live. She has ad the debilitating weeping Edema for close to a year now. The legs have an foul smell. Again, they shower her daily, and keep the feet in socks which soak up some of the liquid, but a lot leaks from both lower legs. She also now refuses to elevate her legs, and sleeps in the chair with them on the ground, so gravity is not helping. I don't expect to be able to change her mind or convince her to get medical help. I am wondering how long someone can live with this condition, and if her legs are infected, what could be the consequence?

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Less than 2 months...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

You can upload the picture at the following e-mail address:

YYYY@YYYY

From what you are describing, most probably her legs are infected. A serious consequence is generalized infection (sepsis). To my opinion, her sufferings are increasing, while death is very near. From what you are reporting, a patient with her condition can live less than 2 months.

May God alleviate her sufferings!
Dr.Albana

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar