"Amazing podiatry team"

Late last year, I had the misfortune of having to have a toe on my right foot amputated. It was sudden and I had little choice in the matter. After the amputation I was introduced to the head of the Podiatry team. Tep, who immediately made me feel like it was no big deal and together we would get through the next few weeks. Appointments were made for 3 visits per week and both Tep and his colleague Julie, worked with me over the next few weeks.

Just as things were all but healed, another toe on the same foot became infected literally within 24 hrs. I went straight to emergency when I realised that it was not right. The emergency doctor called Tep and he came to AE straight away. Some discussions took place between the medical team and Tep and he managed to convince them not to amputate the toe and he performed a tendonectomy. Long story short if it wasn’t for both Tep and Julie and the incredible amount of work that they did I would have lost that toe. I was told by the surgeon that he would have amputated it straight away. The dressings that were done and care that both Tep and Julie gave me saved that toe.

They are amazing and the last 6mths I have had as far as I’m concerned the best podiatry team there is. To complicate matters just as the second toe was healing due to diabetic neuropathy I damaged my big toe on the same foot. This was a really serious problem and put me at risk now of not just losing my big toe but potentially my entire right foot. Again we returned to 3-4 weekly visits and the amazing team work of both Tep and Julie in discussions every visit as to the best dressings and course of action. At one stage we all thought that losing the foot was a very real possibility. But these two just doubled down and got creative and after an effort that went above and beyond what most any other medical professionals would have done, I still have 4 toes on my right foot.

Recently, was my last weekly visit and I will now go to the clinic for fortnightly checks before 6 weekly visits. This is a long winded journey but one that without any doubt would have seen a very different outcome if I wasn’t under the care of these 2 amazingly talented professionals. They have made me and my partner feel that whatever was to be the outcome it would be the best possible as they were both determined to give me the best care that they possibly could. The fact that a small rural city in Western Australia has not one but two of what I believe to be the best podiatrists in the country is incredible. They have been professional, serious, caring, and humorous (to the point of tears) on more than one occasion. I have been blessed to have them both on my side and all I can say with all my heart is thank you Tep and Julie.