Adrian ‘Boo’ Husbands is a 49 year old Bajan male with a family history of diabetes. He was diagnosed with diabetes 23 years ago and in the last few years has undergone a partial amputation of the right hallux (big toe).
Sitting across from Adrian ‘Boo’ Husbands, it is easy to see why he is well-loved across Barbados. A musician, businessman, and from all accounts a very good comedian, Boo will have you laughing within the first few minutes of meeting him (I can attest to that).
However, all jokes aside, Adrian ‘Boo’ Husbands takes on a very serious demeanour when discussing diabetes. “It is a debilitating disease that affects your mind,” he stresses, “that is what makes it very personal and difficult to cope. I think it is difficult for even doctors to understand.” This is a sentiment that is echoed throughout the interview as Boo recalls the devastating impact that diabetes has had on his life.
Having been diagnosed 23 years ago, Boo admits that he has not always taken personal responsibility for managing his condition. He eats and drinks whatever he likes and has had to suffer certain complications as a result. He does admit to always knowing the importance of foot care for diabetics as his grandfather had both legs amputated, however, looking after his own feet became increasingly challenging as his vision deteriorated (another side effect of his diabetes). “Three to four years ago I noticed loss of sensation in my feet which gradually got worse,” says Boo, “to the point that I could get cut and didn’t know, or get a nail ‘juk’ and didn’t know. This was only made worse by the fact that I was having trouble seeing.”
Tragically, a combination of these issues had severe consequences close to two years ago when Boo made the mistake of leaving his shoes in the car overnight. The following morning he walked the short distance from the house to the car, unknowingly cutting his toe in the process. He put on his shoes and went about his day, oblivious to the wound until the evening when he returned home. “I took off my shoe and the blood just poured out…” The despair in his face is heartbreaking. “I went to the doctor for ten days. My blood sugar was good, I seemed to be in good health but the wound just would not heal.” On the ninth day, the doctor suggested that Boo go to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) for a debridement, a surgical procedure that removes unhealthy tissue from a wound to promote healing. Once admitted, Boo was seen by a team of doctors at the hospital. The consensus was that the wound was not gangrenous or malodorous and should respond well to the debridement.
Following the procedure Boo was transferred to a different ward where a consultant applied the Vacuum-Assisted Closure device (V.A.C), a cutting-edge wound healing device developed in the United States. He has a vivid recollection of the next seventy-two hours. “My toe was completely black after those three days. I remember the consultant telling me that I was going to lose a piece of my toe… I freaked out, that is when the reality of my situation hit home and the depression set in.”
He describes his struggle with the news that he had to undergo a partial amputation. “My friends supported me, I needed that. I kept saying to myself, Boo, it ain’t that bad, it is a piece of a toe not a piece of a foot but the psychological impact was hard. It was my toe! Losing it made me feel mutilated…abnormal.”
Visibly shaken, Boo takes a moment to regain his composure before continuing. Given his personal experience and ongoing challenges, he speaks passionately about how diabetics are treated in Barbados. He is particularly vehement about the issue of responsibility, arguing that while persons need to take ownership of their health, he also believes that medical practitioners need to be more aware of advances in diabetes treatment globally. He appreciates the strides that have been made so far and the establishment of entities such as the Diabetes Association of Barbados as well as the Diabetes Foundation but he still thinks that there is much more to be done. “Every initiative should be patient focused. There needs to be constant reminders for the public and a system of continuing education for medical professionals.”
While praising the high standard of care that he received both privately and through the hospital, Boo sees room for improvement, suggesting that a holistic approach towards diabetes treatment may be extremely beneficial. This would include access to a team of professionals including podiatrists, counselors and medical practitioners as part of a person’s care. “Essentially, it would be a team comprised of you and these professionals tackling your diabetes. Right now I think that there is a lack of counselling for amputees, and this means anybody who has had any piece of them cut off. I don’t believe that there is such a thing as partial amputation, that sounds like you started cutting and then the lights went off so you had to stop. It is all amputation and the idea of being mutilated in any way is extremely traumatic for anyone.”
He mentions the negative perception that some people have of diabetes treatment in Barbados arguing that these are people who feel that amputation is promoted as the only option at times. Once again, he suggests that a holistic approach coupled with increased education efforts may help to change this view, informing people of the importance of managing diabetes before it gets to the stage where amputation is necessary. He urges those with diabetes to seek professional help, tackle the fear and learn about the benefits of healthy diet and lifestyle.
For him, the fight continues and he readily admits that some days are better than others. Following his surgery, taking care of his feet is a major priority as there is a greater risk of reulceration for patients who have undergone partial amputation. He wears special footwear and inserts and highlights the value of podiatry, making special mention of Simone Lorde-McConnie and Dr. Junior King of Comfeet Foot Care Clinic in Barbados.
“Taking care of your feet is an active thing. Proper footwear may be an expense but it could save a limb. You need to be careful and you need a support network. Diabetes is not a respecter of persons, it can happen to anyone. Sometimes people think that they cannot spare the time to go to the polyclinic but the change from a scratch to an untreatable wound can be so rapid. It is difficult, some days I can make jokes about it, other days I can’t. I try…I tell myself, Boo, it ain’t that bad.”
