This is an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study, built up on Heidegger's phenomenological perspective. It was developed at the Integrated Health Center Dr. Lineu Araújo and at Basic Health Units of Teresina (PI), with the subjects being twelve diabetic patients that have suffered member's amputation. Phenomenological interview was used, as the technique for producing the data. In an attempt of approaching and appropriation of the meanings they attributed to the phenomena, four units of meaning were built. In this perspective, being-person-with diabetes-and-member amputations means experiencing a quotidian permeated by difficulties, restrictions and limitations imposed by the situation; suffering for dependence on others, loneliness imposed by social isolation, either by personal limitations, economic and / or inadequacy of public policies.
Nursing; Diabetes mellitus; Amputation