Rather than seek immediate medical help, he applied Dettol antiseptic, relying on a childhood remedy his mother often used. But the blisters worsened, the skin began peeling, and the injury darkened and deepened into something far more serious.
“I initially thought, these are just blisters, they’ve peeled and they’re a bit sore”, Olubiyi said. “I didn’t want them to get infected, so I thought Dettol would make it better. That’s what my mum used to do. She would put a drop here and there, but I kept pouring it on.
Unaware he was diabetic and suffering from nerve damage that masked the severity of his condition, Olubiyi continued walking three miles to work daily. By the time he showed his foot to his manager, it had begun to rot, and the infection had turned septic.
He was rushed to King’s College Hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with sepsis and diabetes. Despite intensive antibiotics, his condition deteriorated quickly.Doctors warned him the infection could reach his organs and become fatal. After weeks in the hospital, they informed him that a below-the-knee amputation was the only way to save his life.
He said, “I was in a state of shock; my mind was all over the place. I didn’t want the consultant who talked about that anywhere near me. I really believed there could be a better solution, not amputation straight away. I said, ‘Are you telling me there’s no plan B to turn this around?’ I was just so taken aback.”
The surgery took place on August 8, 2023 just a month after the initial injury. While the operation brought an end to the physical pain, Olubiyi faced a tough emotional journey of acceptance and rehabilitation.
He said: “The moment the amputation happened, it relieved the pain I was feeling, but I was struggling with acceptance.
“It’s really important to get it checked out as soon as you see anything that’s bloody or an open wound. The doctors have specific antibiotics that will get rid of the infection, and it’s much better to let a specialist handle it. If I had had a little bit of insight, if I knew I was diabetic, it would have alleviated everything I went through. It’s an adaptation, and it feels like life threw me a curveball.
“I’m going to be rational and positive, it’s going to be okay.”
Now learning to walk again using a prosthetic, he’s raising funds for a lighter, titanium leg that will restore more comfort and mobility.
Olubiyi is sharing his experience to raise awareness about the dangers of ignoring small wounds, especially for those with diabetes.
