Help Brian's road to recovery
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Hi everyone,
If anyone knows my dad, they know he is one of the most kind hearted, loving men around. He unfortunately has a long history of diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. In June of 2013 his roller coaster ride began when he went into septic shock related to an infected graft he had placed in one of his legs to promote circulation the prior year. Since then he has been back and fourth from the hospital numerous times for month long stays frequently. Many of these stays required intubation and lots of scares for my family and I given that no surgery or issue with him came without a complication.This has forced him to go on permenant disability. Many times he needed rehab stays after surgeries to further help circulation and healing as he developed foot drop and became very weak. However, after all of those times he has persevered and would eventually get strong enough to get home, back to his family and 6 baby grandchildren. I know I speak for my whole family when I say this man can't catch a break, when he finally was good on his feet and free from diabetic and vascular issues then it became a heart issue and he needed an emergent valve replacement last year. Having bad luck on the health aspect for my dad is an understatement, considering he just turned 60. And they say 60 is the new 30. Fast forward to February 5th of this year when he severely fractured his ankle. That is the same month we found out he has myelodysplastic syndrome as well. About 7 surgeries, and an external fixator later we found out he would need an amputation. On may 5th, that was his and our option given the only other option, to put a plate in, had a 10% chance of being successful. We knew it was inevitable. The issue that arises here is that prior to the amputation, in which put him back at square one for healing, he spent 3 months in the rehab and hospital. Only a month after his amputation, he has run out of rehab days and only has a limited outpatient rehab offered to him, which we are saving for when he gets a prosthetic. He is now home, which we are all happy about, but basically wheelchair bound. To make matters worse, the affected leg is his driving leg. My family and I have collectively come together to build him a ramp and install some safety equipment, but there's only so much we can do and so much insurance covers. I wanted to share his story with hopes some kind souls can help him and us reach some goals. Ultimately we want to purchase a device he can have installed in his car to allow him to drive with his prosthetic. Any further funding would help other assistive devices, possible future physical therapy needed and the cost of the medication he may need for the newly diagnosed MDS. My family and I appreciate any help and taking the time to read dads story. Thank you!
If anyone knows my dad, they know he is one of the most kind hearted, loving men around. He unfortunately has a long history of diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. In June of 2013 his roller coaster ride began when he went into septic shock related to an infected graft he had placed in one of his legs to promote circulation the prior year. Since then he has been back and fourth from the hospital numerous times for month long stays frequently. Many of these stays required intubation and lots of scares for my family and I given that no surgery or issue with him came without a complication.This has forced him to go on permenant disability. Many times he needed rehab stays after surgeries to further help circulation and healing as he developed foot drop and became very weak. However, after all of those times he has persevered and would eventually get strong enough to get home, back to his family and 6 baby grandchildren. I know I speak for my whole family when I say this man can't catch a break, when he finally was good on his feet and free from diabetic and vascular issues then it became a heart issue and he needed an emergent valve replacement last year. Having bad luck on the health aspect for my dad is an understatement, considering he just turned 60. And they say 60 is the new 30. Fast forward to February 5th of this year when he severely fractured his ankle. That is the same month we found out he has myelodysplastic syndrome as well. About 7 surgeries, and an external fixator later we found out he would need an amputation. On may 5th, that was his and our option given the only other option, to put a plate in, had a 10% chance of being successful. We knew it was inevitable. The issue that arises here is that prior to the amputation, in which put him back at square one for healing, he spent 3 months in the rehab and hospital. Only a month after his amputation, he has run out of rehab days and only has a limited outpatient rehab offered to him, which we are saving for when he gets a prosthetic. He is now home, which we are all happy about, but basically wheelchair bound. To make matters worse, the affected leg is his driving leg. My family and I have collectively come together to build him a ramp and install some safety equipment, but there's only so much we can do and so much insurance covers. I wanted to share his story with hopes some kind souls can help him and us reach some goals. Ultimately we want to purchase a device he can have installed in his car to allow him to drive with his prosthetic. Any further funding would help other assistive devices, possible future physical therapy needed and the cost of the medication he may need for the newly diagnosed MDS. My family and I appreciate any help and taking the time to read dads story. Thank you!
Organizer
Kelly Cahill
Organizer
West Islip, NY
