no legs

My patient last week was a 67 year old woman with a host of issues related to peripheral vascular disease (PVD). and a history of smoking and drinking. As in, she smoked 2-3 packs a day (if you don't know, that's 40-60 smokes a day) and drank at least a fifth. How she had a liver is beyond me.

Her PVD decreased circulation throughout her body so much that she has had two double amputations over the last few years.

They cut her legs off.

Twice.

This is one of those things they don't tell you in school. They tell you that your liver will fail, you will develop COPD, and will get all wrinkly much sooner than everyone else.

They tell you not to do this...

...how did this..... become...... this.........?...

he used to be so hot. now, he's just not.

So very definitely not winning. not at all. now he just makes me sads.

yeah. i digress. if you or someone you love may have a problem, please get help.

also: writing that someone has "no legs" in their chart is not professional. it's a bilateral (meaning both sides) above the knee amputation. i'm trying to make note of these things.

xo