Struggling with diabetes, Veteran finds relief with the VA

George Thompson, a U.S. Army 16 year Veteran of Gulf War and Kuwait Operation New Dawn has struggled with complications from diabetes. After nearly losing his legs, Thompson is working towards walking again with the help of his care team at VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System.

Thompson began seeing complications with his legs and feet while he was still active duty. Following his military career, his issues were not improving. Two years ago, he began working with VASNHS Podiatry and Prosthetics once he had developed an ulcer on his foot and the pain in his legs became too much to walk on.

Kim Kasper, VASNHS Prosthetist, began working with Thompson around this time to provide him with a wound care boot to take weight off of his ulcer. She remembers the prognosis he was given by surgeons. “He was likely going to lose his foot due to osteomyelitis and other complications,” Kasper said.

That wasn’t an option for Thompson. “I wanted to keep my legs and I would do anything possible,” he said.

The first thing Thompson did was change his dietary habits in order to promote healing. He met with specialists in Podiatry and Prosthetics to care for his wound and prevent it from getting worse. Throughout it all, Thompson stayed positive. “He had an absolute perseverance to overcome all of it,” said Kasper. “I saw him multiple times throughout the year and he always stayed motivated. Regardless of how sick he's been or how much of a struggle he was enduring, he never once came in with a negative attitude.”

Two year later, Thompson was able to keep his foot and is working toward preventing any more complications from diabetes. He credits his VASNHS care team for helping him in his recovery, and recommends that Veterans struggling with similar issues reach out immediately. “If you see any health care issues it is important to call a VA provider and ask for help,” said Thompson. “It was perseverance and willingness to work with Podiatry and Prosthetics Services that helped me save my legs and feet.”

And as Thompson continues his care at VASNHS, his presence is always welcome amongst his providers. “He always has a smile on his face, positive words of encouragement, and a joke or two,” said Kasper. “It brightens my day when I get to see him. It made me even happier to hear that his wound has finally healed. Even though I'm just a minor part of the equation, I'm just glad to see a happy ending.”