I had stabbing pains in my toes – then my legs were amputated

It turned out that, for four years, I’d had peripheral artery disease (PAD) (Picture: Fiona Olsen)

‘Mr Olsen, you haven’t got any blood going to your feet.’

When I heard those words after four years of excruciating pain, I knew it wasn’t good news – but at least it was an answer.

It was October 2024, and until then, almost every medic I spoke to had assumed the agony I had endured for four years was due to my bad back.

Then, I finally saw a podiatrist who recognised my condition for what it was.

She took one look at my ulcerated right foot and got out a handheld device called a Doppler scanner to measure the blood flow in my feet.

Then she utte...