Amputation Care Gone Wrong: I need your help.

Everyone, I need some help. In August 2022, I had all my toes removed from my right foot due to diabetic complications. After the surgery, I was released to a local rehabilitation center to recover. I resided at this rehab facility for two months. These two months were a very emotional time for me- mentally and physically. Though this time was probably one of the most challenging situations, I am incredibly grateful for the outpour of support and prayers I received from family, friends, and even strangers I met at the facility.

While in rehab, there were specific orders from my doctor to the facility for my wound care. These orders ranged from medication to how my foot was supposed to be wrapped with the medical bandages and how often my foot dressings were to be changed (every day to every other day at the least). Unfortunately for me, these orders were not wholly followed as directed. Before going into the rehab facility, my initial goal was to advocate for myself while I was in their care. I’ve heard many horror stories of being in a rehab facility, and I was already apprehensive about going to one in the first place. Ultimately, I decided to trust that these people were professionals in their field of medicine and that they knew what they were doing.

After a few weeks in rehab, I noticed an adverse change in my care. My family also noticed these changes. We noticed that the changing of my foot dressings wasn’t as consistent as before- going more than two days without being changed. We also noticed that a different medication was substituting the specific foot medication that my doctor subscribed to. After another three weeks or so, foot dressing begins to go 3-5 days without being changed. At this time, I knew something was wrong because the pillow used to elevate my amputated foot was becoming saturated with leakage from the soiled bandages. I said to myself, enough is enough. I called my daughter and told her that she needed to get to the rehab facility immediately!

When my daughter came to the facility, she entered my room and looked at my foot. Being a former CNA, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. My daughter immediately went to the front desk and demanded to speak with the facility director. While waiting to talk to the director, she frantically asked any available nurse if they would change my foot bandages because there seemed to be something out of the ordinary with my foot. Every nurse my daughter spoke with told her they would do it when they got around to it. There was even a nurse sitting at the nurse’s station chatting on her cell phone during this time.

At this point, my daughter was livid- and I didn’t blame her for being as upset as she was. After an exchange of words with the nurses, they threatened to call the police on my daughter- stating that she was displaying threatening behavior. I told my daughter to try to calm down and go home. I was afraid that this situation was about to escalate.

The next day I checked out of the facility. The following day we went to see my doctor. I explained the events two days prior, the toxic environment I felt I was in, and the lack of care I had received over the last four weeks. My doctor responded angrily, “you had all right to leave that facility!” My doctor took notes and thanked me for explaining my situation in as much detail as I did.

As a result of the carelessness of the rehab facility, my foot has now been reinfected. There is a high percentage that my leg will be amputated. My doctor, his wound care nurse, and therapist are all fighting to clear up the infection- hoping this does not spread further. This setback has now kept me homebound and out of work.

This is the reason that I started my GoFundme page. I am humbly asking for assistance to help cover at least three months of expenses due to this issue (i.e., utilities, transportation, housing, medical supplies, medication cost, etc.). If you cannot contribute financially, sharing this will be just as helpful. Updates on my progress will be posted. I thank you in advance and appreciate any donation you can give.

Sincerely,

Madison