Rose

Rose is almost exactly eight years younger than I am; when I was asked her age last night I guessed her to be at least eight years older than I am. Poverty ages a person. That was one of the first lessons I learned here at the free clinic. People who live in poverty, on average, look about 10 years older than their actual age.

Rose has been a patient here for two years. She is separated from her husband – divorce is a luxury of the middle class and the rich. She lives with her daughter and helps by taking care of her grandkids.

She came to the free clinic with a non-healing sore on her right foot. She had been seen in the emergency room for the wound and was sent here for follow-up. We made referrals to a surgeon and a podiatrist. She was admitted to the hospital for IV antibiotics and surgical debridement of the wound.  Her health history includes diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as chronic kidney disease and anemia. 

She was transferred to one of the larger hospitals outside our area. They diagnosed her with osteomyelitis – an infection in a bone – as well as with peripheral vascular disease. She had a stent placed in the right femoral artery to help with blood flow to her right leg. They also amputated her right little toe as a result of the infection.

Less than a year later, she was back with another non-healing sore on her right foot.  The MRI showed early osteomyelitis. Ugh.

So, for the past year we have been fighting this infection. She saw our podiatrist once a week, and was seen regularly at the clinic. But, ultimately, the sore wasn’t getting any better. The only advice we had to give her was to go to the emergency room at the university hospital that is an hour and a half away. So, that is what she did – she was admitted right away, treated with IV antibiotics…

I cried when I saw her last night. She had a below the knee amputation.

Would it have made a difference if she had healthcare insurance? I don’t know the answer to that, but she would have received the care she needed WHEN she needed it – our clinic is only open one night a week.

How many people have to die, how many limbs have to be lost before our legislators see the need for healthcare for all? Why does everyone pat themselves on the back for supporting the free clinic, but turn their backs on the people in need? I am so frustrated.

And, so sad.