Keralite saves leg from amputation in 60 days with oxygen therapy

Gulf returnee Abraham Chacko has the mind of a seasoned footballer who doesn't give up. The 60-year-old, a native of Ayiroor in Pathanamthitta, was surprised when a doctor said his leg needed to be amputated, but it didn't weaken him. He had spent years in the Gulf working as a scaffolder and then a nitrogen unit supervisor. It was in December last year that Abraham returned to India as his employers in the Gulf had denied him proper remuneration, citing technical reasons. He was then able to find a small job in Hyderabad. However, Abraham came down with a fever on the next day of Christmas. He decided to return home to Ayiroor in a bus as his fever didn’t subside. Abraham couldn’t get out of the auto in front of his house as he felt severe pain in his right leg. He was rushed to the hospital in the same auto.

What happened to his leg?
Abraham, who was a diabetic patient, was diagnosed with a condition called diabetic foot. A young doctor at the hospital broke the news to him – the infection had spread, and his leg had to be amputated below the knee on the next day itself. He didn’t have medical insurance coverage, nor did he have any money to pay the medical bills. There was no other way than to get a voluntary discharge. Although his relatives and friends rushed to the hospital, no one knew what to do. Meanwhile, his elder brother Thomas Abraham was shocked as he had no idea how to take care of his brother, who would soon get his leg amputated, while caring for their 90-year-old mother.

A mission to save his leg
Meanwhile, his relative contacted Dr Thomas Varghese, noted oncology surgeon and medical director at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Manjummel, Kochi. He promised to help the patient if he were brought to Manjummel. Abraham then travelled to St. Joseph’s Hospital with his brother in an ambulance. Dr. Thomas and his team were waiting for Abraham, ready to take up the challenge of saving Abraham’s leg. Abraham underwent three back-to-back surgeries led by Dr. Thomas. Meanwhile, he was transported every day for 32 days to the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences for a bariatric oxygen therapy.

Abraham was undergoing treatments at two different hospitals at the same time. Soon, pain gave way to confidence. On the 60^th day, Abraham took tiny steps on the veranda of the hospital. He lovingly patted the leg that could have been separated from his body two months ago. Abraham was discharged two weeks ago and is recovering at his brother’s house. He has been advised to walk daily. But, he should ensure that his leg is safe and does not get injured or hurt in any way; special footwear has also been made for Abraham.

“I am grateful to Abraham Chacko’s relative who decided to contact me before the leg amputation. There is no reason for alerting a cancer surgeon about a patient diagnosed with diabetic foot. People should consider various options before amputating an organ. I have been able to save many patients of different ages from amputations. I believe that doctors should be saviours of organs,” says Dr. Thomas Varghese.

Bariatric oxygen therapy
Bariatric oxygen therapy is used to treat various medical conditions, including wounds that won’t heal, infections, tissue damage, and toxic burns. A pressurized chamber delivers oxygen that’s two or three times higher than normal air pressure. The patient inhales one hundred percent pure oxygen to boost blood circulation and cell turnover. This procedure destroys anaerobic bacteria and helps in wound healing.