Oklahoma runner loses toes before doctors discover artery blockage
Share this @internewscast.com


WARNING: This video above contains graphic content of the man’s medical condition. Viewer discretion is advised.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma man lost nearly all of his toes and almost his entire foot until he got a second opinion.

Tom Parrott was an avid marathon runner for nearly 50 years, but one day he noticed a sore on his big toe. He thought it was just from running, but it never healed.

“That sore over a period of 30 days just opened up and became staph infected and down to the bone,” said Parrott.

Doctors decided to remove some of the toe, but that wasn’t the end of it.

One by one, his toes became infected, and doctors continued to amputate them.

“Half of the large toe, the great toe is gone, and then the middle toe was straightened and it’s kind of not effective, it’s just there,” said Parrott.

Finally, a podiatrist suggested the issue may not be in his foot, but in his heart, so he went to the CardioVascular Health Clinic.

“He had a blockage in his thigh of 100 percent and also a blockage just below the knee of 100 percent,” said Dr. Jim Melton, CardioVascular Health Clinic.

Dr. Melton’s team got to work immediately and cleared the arteries and restored blood flow in less than 72 hours.

“The key thing when you’re trying to salvage a limb is time, and the time factors involved with big hospital systems and stuff like that are usually counterproductive to saving limbs just because of the wait times and certain things like that,” said Dr. Melton.

The wound is now completely healed, and the blood flow is excellent.

“Very grateful because at that point, you don’t know what you might lose and could be a lot worse,” said Parrott.

While he may not get back to running, Parrott is on the road to recovery.

“I hope to be able to continue walking and increase my walking back up to, you know, two or three miles a day, and will play pickleball several times a week, so just being able to be active more than anything,” said Parrott.

He’s now sharing his story in hopes of saving someone else.

“You need to pursue all alternatives, get second opinions, and try to figure out why the wounds not healing,” said Parrott.

Dr. Melton says you may sometimes have to take it upon yourself to find or ask for a vascular doctor.

“You need to be as aggressive as possible to and have all the advocates in your in your back pocket to try to save your limb,” said Dr. Melton.

If you or a loved one has a wound that won’t heal, especially with a history of diabetes or circulation issues, doctors say don’t wait.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Chicago Student Journalists Innovate with Interactive Map Tracking ICE Sightings

CHICAGO – The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents has noticeably increased…

Prosecutors Pursue Death Penalty in Kansas Mothers’ Murder Case

WICHITA, Kan. — In a significant legal development, an Oklahoma prosecutor has…

Grateful to Be Safe: Man Recounts Harrowing Experience with Armed Bank Robber

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — After a daring armed robbery at the Bank…

Colombian Grandmothers Finally Celebrate Their Dream Quinceañeras

BOGOTÁ – At 72 years young, Rosalba Casas finally had the opportunity…

Recent Study Reveals ‘Forever Chemicals’ at USF Surpass EPA Limits

In Tampa, Florida, a recent analysis by USA Today reveals that one…

St. Pete Police Issue 24 Citations in Sweep of Over 50 Personal Electric Vehicle Riders

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — In an effort to curb illegal e-bike…

Shooting Near Howard University Homecoming: 5 Wounded, Suspects Arrested

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — On Friday night, a shooting near Howard…

Chicago’s Tranquil Protests Shine a Spotlight on Border Patrol Chief Controversy

On Friday, protesters gathered peacefully outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement…

Texas Woman Allegedly Embezzles $30K from Car Dealership for TikTok Shopping Spree

In Lubbock, Texas, Mashell Badley, aged 55, was taken into custody on…

Critical Condition: Two Injured in Brevard County Hit-and-Run Incident, Reports FHP

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – In Brevard County, Florida Highway Patrol officers are…

Democrats Condemn Administration’s Withholding of SNAP Funds: A ‘Disgusting Dereliction of Duty

Late Friday, leading Democrats in the House criticized the Trump administration for…

Major Setback for Savannah Pride: $30,000 Funding Cut Threatens Future Events

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah Pride Center is facing a significant financial…