The Heart of Innovation podcast recently featured a special “Save My Piggies” episode with hosts Kym McNicholas, CEO of the Global PAD Association, and Dr. John Phillips, Interventional Cardiologist. They welcomed Eric and his wife Sabra to share their compelling story of fighting to save Eric’s foot from amputation.
When One Toe Signals a Greater Threat
Eric’s journey began shortly after his kidney transplant. Like many patients with multiple health conditions, Eric was more focused on his kidney health than his feet. “I was more concentrated on the kidney than my feet,” Eric explained during the interview. “I was taking care of my feet myself, which I shouldn’t have been doing.”
One day, Eric noticed the base of his great toe was twice its normal size and beginning to change color. At his wife’s insistence, he reluctantly went to the emergency room. The diagnosis was devastating – an infection had reached the bone, and he might lose his toe.
“When she told me, I was in disbelief,” Eric recalled. “I just knew something was going to change.”
Despite efforts to save it, Eric’s great toe was amputated in January. The doctors explained that the infection was severe enough that it could potentially threaten his transplanted kidney if left untreated.
The Hidden Danger: Undiagnosed PAD
What Eric and his medical team didn’t initially recognize was that poor circulation was a significant factor in his condition. In fact, no one mentioned potential circulation issues or the possibility of peripheral artery disease (PAD) – a common but frequently overlooked complication in patients with kidney disease and diabetes.
After the amputation, Eric developed a wound on the side of his foot from a surgical shoe the hospital provided. Despite treatment, the wound worsened.
“She decided to have the ultrasound on the leg because it was getting deeper and deeper. She could see the bone,” Eric explained.
The ultrasound revealed what had been missed – significant blockages in the arteries below Eric’s knee.
A Revolutionary Approach to Below-the-Knee Blockages
Eric was referred to Dr. John Phillips, who recognized an opportunity to use an innovative new technology – the SPUR Retrievable Stent System from Reflow Medical.
“The kind of unique thing about this device is you can use it multiple times and in multiple vessels,” Dr. Phillips explained. “You had blockages in all three arteries, and we fixed all three of them at that one time. And we did not leave any metal behind in the artery.”
Eric became the first patient in Ohio to receive this groundbreaking treatment since FDA clearance. The SPUR system is unique because, unlike traditional stents that remain permanently in place, this stent can be removed after it has opened the artery – potentially reducing complications and leaving options open for future treatments.
The Hidden Symptoms of PAD
One of the most important revelations from Eric’s story is how PAD symptoms can be easily missed or attributed to other conditions.
“I do have cramps below the knee,” Eric shared. “I was getting them pretty bad in this left one, but I didn’t relate it to circulation at all. I just thought it was the kidney and fluids and things.”
Dr. Phillips emphasized how critical it is for both patients and healthcare providers to recognize potential signs of vascular disease: “People do not recognize a discolored toe or that spot that just doesn’t go away on the pinky toe or whatever.”
Kym McNicholas added a key indicator that Dr. Stacia Jones, a podiatric advisor to the Global PAD Association, recommends watching for: “Your skin becomes shiny, lack of hair growth, and suddenly your leg becomes really, really shiny, even without cream… that is a definitive first sign that you might have circulation issues.”
A Family’s Transformation
Eric’s health journey has had profound effects beyond just saving his foot. As a professional chef, he’s now developing low-sodium seasonings and has completely transformed his family’s approach to nutrition.
“I’ve kind of taken [my son] under my wing when it comes to working out and watching what he eats,” Eric shared. His wife Sabra added proudly, “Our son has lost 40 pounds so far. I mean, it’s amazing.”
Perhaps most touching is Sabra’s role as Eric’s rock through this challenging time. “My mantra in life is we got to live. We cannot stop. We got things to do,” she explained. “No matter what adversity you have in life, you’ve got to keep living. Somehow, someway.”
Take Action Before It’s Too Late
Dr. Phillips and Kym McNicholas emphasized throughout the interview that PAD awareness can save limbs and lives – particularly in the African American community, which faces disproportionately high amputation rates.
Kym shared a powerful story about a recent call to the Global PAD Association’s Leg Saver Hotline regarding an African American woman scheduled for amputation. After the Association’s intervention, the hospital suddenly offered additional treatment options instead of proceeding with amputation.
“That’s really alarming,” Kym noted. “Why is it that they didn’t offer this wonderful woman of color these options prior?”
She urges all patients and their families to raise the red flag when physicians talk about amputation to ensure all available options at the facility have been exhausted even across practices.
Could You Be at Risk?
If you or a loved one has diabetes, kidney disease, or experiences:
Leg cramps when walking
Numbness or tingling in the feet
Wounds that won’t heal
Shiny skin on legs or feet
Discoloration of toes
Loss of hair on legs or feet
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call the Global PAD Association’s Leg Saver Hotline at 1-833-PAD-LEGS or visit PADHELP.ORG to find advanced skilled doctors with cutting-edge tools and techniques to improve blood flow, heal foot wounds, and provide relief when walking isn’t enough.
As Dr. Phillips reminds us, “This is a movement that is slow, but I think we’re gaining momentum.” With increased awareness and innovative treatments like the SPUR Retrievable Stent System, more people like Eric can save their piggies – and their quality of life.
Watch the full interview with Eric and Sabra at the top of this post to hear more about their inspiring journey.
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