Medical Recovery

I’m Nick Heilig. For those of you who know me, you are aware of how independent I am, and therefore hesitant to ask for help, monetary or otherwise. For those of you who don’t know me, here’s a little bit about what I’ve gone through over the last two and a half years. I was born with Spina Bifida in 1980 and incurred 16 surgeries before 1996. There was practically a celebration in 2006 when I was 10 years without an operation; and 2011 we were ecstatic about 15 years without going under the knife! On September 21st, 2013, I was diagnosed with a sepsis from an infection of a pressure ulcer. Sepsis is a condition that arises when the body’s response to infection injures its own tissues and organs. Since 2013, I’ve undergone 12 weeks of hyperbaric treatment (which consisted of 2 hours a day in a chamber for 5 days a week), trying different dressings for the wound, and 9 surgeries. My nearly 18 year streak has ended. over 6 years later I am still dealing with the pressure ulcer and have tried many conventional treatments and there are some things that I have not tried that may or may not be covered by insurance.  Even with insurance there are many things that I have had to purchase on my own due to the limits of what can be sent by insurance on a monthly basis or if it is even covered. I have also been diagnosed with mitochondrial disease. Since being diagnosed, I am on 10 different supplements daily to fight it and they are not covered by insurance.  I’m telling this story because there is still so much hope for my condition. I try and stay very positive and I have been extremely grateful for all of the assistance I have received. I often have to pay for wound care products not covered by insurance or not being sent enough for a 30 day month because of the limits insurance sets. This leaves me having to purchase the supplies I need for most of the month.  I had surgery in November 2017 to do a surgical flap to repair my pressure ulcer. Unfortunately, it opened up again and I had to have another surgery to close it. That surgery, also failed in December 2017. I was in the Hospital for a couple of months and then was transferred to a rehab facility. I was sent home in Februrary 2018 and am still dealing with my pressure ulcer. It's been a very difficult road. I have also had some bumps in the road dealing with infections, shingles among other things. The Medical bills continue to mount  as well as paying out of pocket for extra wound care supplies monthly. Since 2018 I have had shingles near my pressure ulcer that was very painful.  I also have switched doctors again and have had another surgery and have a major infection which I have been on a course of 10 weeks of antibiotics and another 18 weeks of hyperbaric chamber treatments.  I am forever grateful for all the help I have gotten over the years dealing with this pressure sore. The cost of wound healing, supplies, vitamins, and Dr visits is never ending. Any help you may be able to offer would be greatly appreciated.