My dad has fought a heel ulcer for 2 years. Antibiotics on and off during this time. He’s had debridement done and weekly visits. The infection is no longer responding to the antibiotics. The infection is now in the bone and has begun eating away at the heel. They want to do an amputation, but he refuses due to other issues.
He has an astrocytoma (spinal cancer) and has surgery to remove a portion 30 years ago. Obviously it’s slow growing , but the surgery has cause extreme nerve damage so he’s been on high levels of pain medicine for 30 years.
I understand and support his decision.
I am trying to figure out an estimate of how long it takes for the infection to become a blood infection? And from there how long until septic shock? What can I expect to see during this time?
I would raise this issue with his oncologist, or other specialty physician.
In my experience amputation of the affected limb occurs at this point to prevent sepsis. If not amputated sepsis can and often does occur but it can’t be predicted when.
Best to speak with the doctor for specifics.