In 2008, Lorraine Burnett went out for a night of dancing with her friends. She never thought her choice of footwear — a pair of uncomfortable five-inch high heels — would change her life forever.
After spending all night on the dance floor, Burnett woke up with a red blister on her left foot. After it became infected, she put her caretaking skills to work and cleaned and dressed the pesky wound.
But Burnett's diabetes was about to complicate things on an unimaginable level.
The blister on her foot refused to heal, and no prescriptions seemed to make a difference. Burnett spent weeks in excrutiating pain and suffered an endless cycle of procedures and more infections.
Two years later, the infection persisted — and Burnett faced a devastating choice.
Her ultimate decision may surprise you…
[H/T: Jo Tweedy for MailOnline]
In December 2008, Lorraine Burnett went out for a night of fun and dancing with her friends in Scotland.
Lorraine wore a pair of five-inch high heels to a Christmas party.
The shoes were admittedly uncomfortable, but she wanted to look cute while dancing the night away — which she did, until the wee hours of the morning.
After spending all night on the dance floor, Burnett woke up with a blister on her left foot that became red and infected.
Being a professional caretaker, she knew exactly how to clean and dress the wound.
But Burnett, who has diabetes and a fragile immune system, spent the next few weeks in severe pain. She couldn't even walk on her left foot.
No matter what antibiotics her doctors prescribed, the blister refused to heal.
Burnett suffered through endless cycles of procedures and infections.
Burnett had a horrifying decision to make. Doctors said she could either continue being inflicted with discomfort and endless infections for the rest of her life…
…or they could amputate her lower left leg.
In November 2010, under a doctor's recommendations, Burnett opted for amputation.
"It breaks my heart to think my five-inch heels cost me my leg," she said.
At the time of the surgery, Burnett's daughter was just 10 years old.
She wanted to make sure her daughter was given proper care, so she gave up her job and the pair moved in with their family while Burnett adjusted to life as an amputee.
"I'd gone from someone who liked to go out all the time — a real party girl who enjoyed the good life — to pretty completely housebound."
It didn't take long for Burnett to uncover what she believes is the root cause of her blister infection.
Lorraine has type 2 diabetes, which can have a massive impact on blood circulation. In fact, people with diabetes are 30 times more likely to have an amputation!
Burnett's kidneys weakened under the stress of the infection and amputation; kidney disease is another complication of type 2 diabetes.
As a result, she is also on home dialysis.
Equally distressing has been Burnett's heavy artificial limb. Not only does the weight of it make walking difficult, it also causes ulcers and infections on her stump.
Burnett, now 37, lives with her teenage daughter. With her brave face and independent nature, she's on a mission to replace her prosthetic leg with a better but more expensive alternative.
With the help of her family, she set up an online fundraiser for a new leg.
"A new prosthetic would mean I would look more like a lady again, not having to hide it. I can't show my leg off and feel like myself," Burnett said.
"Having another prosthetic would be the most amazing Christmas present.
"Who knows, I might even be able to wear heels again."
If you would like to learn more or help Burnett in any way, click here.
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