Hope and Healing
Donation protected
UPDATE 10/16/18 - - -
During her recovery time, she developed a staff infection in one of her legs, and had to have surgery to clean it out. The weeks following this surgery were excruciating, receiving visits from the home nurse every 2-3 days to clean the vac sites.
After months of being restricted to the confines of her bed, Erin was able to begin putting weight on her legs and learning to walk again.
Around the 1st of October, we learned that the veins in her left leg were narrowing again, and the doctors wanted to attempt an angioplasty to open the veins and prevent more blockages.
On Monday 10/15/18, Erin went in for the angioplasty and the doctors were unsuccessful. The veins are blocked in her left leg, yet again, and they have determined that she will need an second bypass on that leg - meaning her leg will have to be reopened all the way and her veins reconstructed.
This time, they are going to map the veins from her arms in hopes that they can take veins from her arms to form healthy veins in her legs. This will result in both arms being opened up in the same fashion as her legs.
More recovery time. More pain. More meds.
Back in bed she goes.
Please share with family and friends - any help is appreciated.
To those of you who have donated already - words cannot describe our thanks. We appreciate each and every one of you.
We will update as her situation progresses -
With love and thanks,
Erin's Family
-----------------------------------ORIGINAL POST------------------------------------------------------
This story goes back to 12 yrs ago. I'll try to keep it short and sweet, but please stay with me....
(picture: Erin and her daughter Meya; May 2008)
When Erin had her daughter, Meya, 12 years ago she developed DVT clots, which caused a Pulmonary Embolism. The clots broke up and went to her lungs. The doctors then implanted an IVC filter. This filter was to be a permanent fix, however over the last several years, she struggled with constant leg pain. Erin saw several doctors, and could never find any cause or relief.
(picture: Erin and her daughter Meya; May 2018)
One day, it finally became to much to bear and she was taken to the emergency room with excruciating and debilitating leg pain. A new set of doctors ran tests and discovered that the filter she had implanted all those years ago had migrated and penetrated through the vein into the aorta.
On April 3rd, Erin went in for her first major surgery. Doctors had to make an incision from under the center of her ribs down to her groin in order to reach the filter for repair. After 8 weeks of recovery and 50 staples later, the doctors were ready to take the next step.
A dye test later revealed she was 100% clotted down both legs and had no blood flow. She was unable to stand or walk for more than a minute or two at a time without enduring high levels of pain.
On May 29th she had her second surgery. It was worse than the doctor had anticipated. What was predicted to be a 3hr surgery turned into 12. Starting with her right leg, he was able to create a bypass around the clotted veins.
(picture: right leg, 2 days after surgery)
On June 5th her left bypass was completed. She now has over 200 staples, stitches and 2 wound vacs.
(picture: left leg, one day after surgery)
Prior to April 3rd, Erin struggled to find a proper diagnosis and as her pain intensity grew, she lost the ability to perform basic tasks. She eventually lost her job in December. She has lived off her savings, along with support from her family and friends, but now faces several months of recovery and will struggle to support her daughter and maintain her residence with no income.
While she still has a long road ahead of her, any and all help that she receives will be more than appreciated!! Thank you for reading her story, and please share with family and friends!
During her recovery time, she developed a staff infection in one of her legs, and had to have surgery to clean it out. The weeks following this surgery were excruciating, receiving visits from the home nurse every 2-3 days to clean the vac sites.
After months of being restricted to the confines of her bed, Erin was able to begin putting weight on her legs and learning to walk again.
Around the 1st of October, we learned that the veins in her left leg were narrowing again, and the doctors wanted to attempt an angioplasty to open the veins and prevent more blockages.
On Monday 10/15/18, Erin went in for the angioplasty and the doctors were unsuccessful. The veins are blocked in her left leg, yet again, and they have determined that she will need an second bypass on that leg - meaning her leg will have to be reopened all the way and her veins reconstructed.
This time, they are going to map the veins from her arms in hopes that they can take veins from her arms to form healthy veins in her legs. This will result in both arms being opened up in the same fashion as her legs.
More recovery time. More pain. More meds.
Back in bed she goes.
Please share with family and friends - any help is appreciated.
To those of you who have donated already - words cannot describe our thanks. We appreciate each and every one of you.
We will update as her situation progresses -
With love and thanks,
Erin's Family
-----------------------------------ORIGINAL POST------------------------------------------------------
This story goes back to 12 yrs ago. I'll try to keep it short and sweet, but please stay with me....
(picture: Erin and her daughter Meya; May 2008)When Erin had her daughter, Meya, 12 years ago she developed DVT clots, which caused a Pulmonary Embolism. The clots broke up and went to her lungs. The doctors then implanted an IVC filter. This filter was to be a permanent fix, however over the last several years, she struggled with constant leg pain. Erin saw several doctors, and could never find any cause or relief.
(picture: Erin and her daughter Meya; May 2018)One day, it finally became to much to bear and she was taken to the emergency room with excruciating and debilitating leg pain. A new set of doctors ran tests and discovered that the filter she had implanted all those years ago had migrated and penetrated through the vein into the aorta.
On April 3rd, Erin went in for her first major surgery. Doctors had to make an incision from under the center of her ribs down to her groin in order to reach the filter for repair. After 8 weeks of recovery and 50 staples later, the doctors were ready to take the next step.
A dye test later revealed she was 100% clotted down both legs and had no blood flow. She was unable to stand or walk for more than a minute or two at a time without enduring high levels of pain.
On May 29th she had her second surgery. It was worse than the doctor had anticipated. What was predicted to be a 3hr surgery turned into 12. Starting with her right leg, he was able to create a bypass around the clotted veins.
(picture: right leg, 2 days after surgery)On June 5th her left bypass was completed. She now has over 200 staples, stitches and 2 wound vacs.
(picture: left leg, one day after surgery)Prior to April 3rd, Erin struggled to find a proper diagnosis and as her pain intensity grew, she lost the ability to perform basic tasks. She eventually lost her job in December. She has lived off her savings, along with support from her family and friends, but now faces several months of recovery and will struggle to support her daughter and maintain her residence with no income.
While she still has a long road ahead of her, any and all help that she receives will be more than appreciated!! Thank you for reading her story, and please share with family and friends!
Organizer
Erin Smith
Organizer
Paola, KS
