Last week of clinical

My last week was by far the most challenging. My client was a 46 y/o hispanic male. He was in for osteomyelitis in his toe, but also had IDDM, CHF, ESRD, hypothyroidism, GERD, seizure disorder, diabetic neuropathy, and was blind in his right eye. He didn't speak much English, so the communication barrier only made things more difficult. He was a very sweet man though, and enjoyable to care for. Of all of his health problems, he seemed to be preoccupied with the fact that the MD recommended amputating his toe. I really wished that I could have communicated with him more effeciently, because I'm not sure that he understood the extent of which the infection had progressed in his toe and why the amputation was necessary..... I think I might try to learn a little Spanish later on.... It could only help.

Adios Amigos,
Erika