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John Anderson talks with Scott Kujath, MD, about his progress in wound treament.
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Life has dealt John Anderson a few blows, but you'd never know it. He doesn't complain about his troubles he counts his blessings.
John was a diabetic at age 11. He had a kidney transplant in 1997, a pancreas transplant a few years later. "It treated the diabetes," says John, "but a lot of damage was already done."
Now, at age 39, the diabetes is taking it's toll. Early in 2003, a finger had to be amputated. A month later, he lost his toe. "It just wouldn't heal," says John. "They (amputated) below the knee in May and that wouldn't heal." In June, he had a surgical debridment, (removing dead tissue from a wound) but still no healing. He was facing more amputation-this time above the knee. "I really didn't want that to happen," says John. "And, of course, neither did my doctors."
In a final attempt to avoid amputation, John and his doctors wanted to try hyperbaric oxygen therapy. He was one of the first patients treated in the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at St. Mary's Hospital of Blue Springs, which opened in August.
"I was really happy about doing this closer to home," says John. He lives in Kingsville, Missouri, about 30 miles from Blue Springs. Treatment at other centers in the area would mean at least an hour commute." John said he was already familiar with Scott Kujath, MD, the center's medical director and was impressed with what Dr. Kujath told him.
"The first thing he said was that I still had circulation in the leg," says John. "He could tell because hair was growing. He was the first one to ever tell me that. He gave me hope."
John had 20 treatments in the hyberbaric oxygen chamber, which he says "wasn't bad". Patients are treated every weekday for four weeks. They relax in the chamber, watching TV or even sleeping, while breathing pure oxygen. The increase oxygen levels improve circulation and healing. He also used vacuum assisted closure therapy, which applies negative pressure to the wound.
"Mr. Anderson was someone who really benefited from all of the different aspects of wound care," says Dr. Kujath. "Only about 20 percent of the patients are good candidates for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and for Mr. Anderson, we had to use everything at our disposal. But he has a great disposition and a lot of determination. His outlook has certainly been a factor in his successful treatment."
"I've been very blessed this year," says John. "I have God, my family and friends. The care I received at St. Mary's Hospital has been wonderful. Everyone involved has been very loving and caring. It's like coming to a friend's house."
John says he's not about to sit around in a wheelchair. His wound is healing well enough for him to get prosthesis. "Being able to keep my own knee will make it that much easier. You have better balance and more control. It makes a huge difference. My wedding anniversary is February 12-and I want to be dancing."
For more information about the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, call 816-655-5780.
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