Our Patients Say it Best

Getting Back on the Right Foot
Peter Szynkiewicz

Oct, 2018

Physicians:  

When complications from a foot surgery in Chicago resulted in an infection, Peter Szynkiewicz, 68, spent more than three months in a nursing home trying to recover. After many failed attempts to get the infection under control and heal the wounds, Peter was referred to the Lakeland Wound Center in Niles.

Peter has lived with diabetes for many years, and because of it has neuropathy in both feet. The condition causes nerve damage and numbness making him unable to sense when a wound would develop. By the time Peter met with wound specialist, Krista Schulte, NP, the original wound had worsened and two others had formed.  

“I told her I would do anything,” said Peter. “I just wanted to be able to walk again.”

After performing a complete exam, Krista discovered there was a lot of drainage issues which needed to be addressed first, including treatment of wound infection. She then suggested the use of a cellular tissue product known as Apligraf which uses living cells to create new skin. The process has been slow, but successful, and Peter is thankful more aggressive treatments were not needed.

“The specialists in Chicago were pushing to have my foot amputated and for me that was always a last resort,” said Peter. “Krista saved my foot.”

Peter recently met with Krista and her team to monitor the healing process and was released with a full bill of health.

“Krista and her team have given me the tools and motivation to succeed and I know I still have a vibrant life ahead of me,” said Peter.

Peter will soon be on his way back to Marco Island, Florida for the winter and is looking forward to swimming in the pool and enjoying the nice weather.

“I am so thankful for the care I received at the wound center,” said Peter. “They are second to none.”