I am a 36 year old male who has been diagnosed diabetic for 11 years.  My c peptide levels were never very good.  Even when initially diagnosed.  So there is a lot of discussion with me and my Dr. and CNP about exactly what "type" I am.   I managed my diabetes with orals for a long time.  Sometimes I was a lot more successful than others. I fight keeping my weight under control.  Especially when I have had to use insulin.  I am now on insulin full time, by my own choice.  It gives me control over my raging blood sugars.  I do take Actos and normally use metformin, because I am insulin resistant. We stopped the metformin because of nausea and vomiting. 

In January of this year (2009) I crushed my fourth and fifth toes on my right foot at work.  I was wearing steel-toed safety shoes, which prevented more severe damage to my entire foot and other toes.  However, I ended up with open fractures to my fourth and fifth toes.  I was immediately place on antibiotics by the ER physician and referred to an orthopedic surgeon. The surgeon, after considering my injury and history of diabetes, involved an infectious disease specialist.  Despite what I truly believe were his (surgeon) best efforts, I have developed chronic osteomyelitis.  I have had five irrigation and debridement procedures, thirty hyperbaric oxygen treatments, and my initial surgeon has referred me to a foot and ankle specalist.  What remained of my fouth and fifth toes were amputated by the foot suregon July 5th, and I have been hospitalized and debrided again twice due to recurring staph infection at the amputation site.  ..

Now I am still having trouble in November.  A white blood cell scan last week confirmed the presence of inflammation at the site, and a three-phase bone scan was preformed after that to compare the WBC Scan with.  Today I have to see the surgeon again.

I am facing losing part or all of my foot.  And I am totally at a loss..........

I have a great wife.  I have four beautiful kids (16, 10, 9, and 6). I am a relatively active guy. I don't know how I am going to function if I lose part or all of my foot.  I sit around just staring at it.  I would say I am definitely depressed about it.  I have really negative thoughts about it all the time.

Has anybody lived through this, or do you know anybody that has?

Help!