I am Derek’s mom and I am starting this Go Fund Me page for him to help out with his expenses. As many of you know Derek went to the ER Monday, July 15th with back pain, acid reflux and throwing up for a week and an infection on his knee he had had for a month or so.  They discovered he was in Diabetic Ketoacidosis. He was dying.  He was hospitalized and given IV insulin, potassium, magnesium, phosphates and fluids. Little did we know a virulent staph infection was infecting his body. The insulin allowed his cells to start growing again but that also meant it was feeding the infection. He blew right past sepsis and septic shock to Septic Embolism which exploded in his body. He then developed Bacterima and Osteomyelitis, blood infection and bone infection. I was told to prepare for the very real possibility he may not survive. After two surgeries and six weeks in the hospital Derek came home. The massive amounts of IV antibiotics and hours and hours of MRI’s with contrast have affected his kidneys. His foot is not out of the woods. He could still lose it but he’s fighting to keep it. They put it in a cast to try and reduce the swelling and to try and stop anymore degeneration caused by the infection and at this time we don’t know if it will help. We don’t know what the long term effects of his chronic kidney disease will be. Derek can only work part time right now and he is working for no pay just to keep his insurance and his company vehicle. We don’t know how long this will be. It could be from 3 weeks to 3 months, maybe longer. Derek may be permanently disabled. It’s just too early to tell.  He needs to give a 2 month notice to get out of his apartment lease. He’s caught between a rock and a hard place right now with no income.  This is hard to do. Ask for help. Everyone has been so kind, caring, compassionate and truly concerned for Derek since day 1. We can never thank you enough for your prayers, calls, texts, visits and well wishes. Your prayers saved his life!  If you can help Derek out, thank you. He will use the money to pay his monthly expenses and his medical bills during this interim. God bless you. Feel free to share this post.