Asking
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

When a very ill family member says to you, "I can't believe this is happening"...

About their horrible condition, that possibly won't improve..what do you SAY?
MY sister has developed awful diabetic neuropathy in her feet, where high sugar over years time, plug up vessels and nerves, causing nerves to die, and become extremely inflamed.

Her feet are shades of red now, puffy, and she's in pain all day. The feet are numb too and the saddest thing is there is no true treatment for helping reverse this. There are some supplements that may slow progression, but some of it may be permanent. I've cried at night knowing she's so young to have this affliction that usually occurs in people's 70s or 80s.

I try to be positive saying we will find a new specialist that WILL give you actual pain medication. But beyond that I never know the right thing to say when she says occasionally, "I can't believe this is happening."
Any ideas? 😢
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
Musicman · 61-69, M
Sometimes there is no answer and all you can do is be there for her and let her talk. If this continues they may have to amputate her foot. That happened to a friend of mine. They took his leg just beneath his knee. 💔😢😢😢
Coralmist · 41-45, F
@Musicman She actually wants amputation...it is that bad. She can't walk and the numbness is horrible. But I'm not sure unless it's gangrene if they do that. Because people on the forum she's on says the phantom pains are even worse, after amputation.
I'm sorry your friend went through that...it's just a hell. Was it infected?
Musicman · 61-69, M
@Coralmist No. Not that I am aware of. He did quite well after the amputation.
Coralmist · 41-45, F
@Musicman that is good news he did well..has his diabetes stabilized since then?
Musicman · 61-69, M
@Coralmist sadly a few years later he had a heart attack and passed away.
Coralmist · 41-45, F
@Musicman I am so sorry to hear 😢 🌹
Musicman · 61-69, M
@Coralmist It was a Sunday evening. He loved to talk. He was sitting in his favorite chair. He wasn't married, but he had a life partner. She said he just stopped talking. She looked over at him and he was just gone. It was that fast.
Coralmist · 41-45, F
@Musicman That is so sad..wow. life is strength and fascinating, but fragile too. He was diabetic ? I know having diabetes increases risk for stroke or heart attack over time.
Musicman · 61-69, M
@Coralmist My wife had a friend who was diabetic. She absolutely refused to take the insulin. She eventually went blind. She was elderly though. Cancer killed her.