Georges' Medical Battle
In August 2017, something happened that would alter the course and direction of George Adams' life forever!
In the late afternoon of August 19th, George was brought to the Dryden Regional Health Centre (DRHC) to check an infection on his right foot. Upon arrival to the DRHC, George began to go in and out of consciousness, and was rushed into Emergency where he was put on a ventilator.
At 11pm that evening, George was medevaced by Ornge Helicopter to the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital.
When he arrived there, he was under constant surveillance by doctors and nurses and was put into an induced coma, as he was septic from the infection in his foot.
With his family by his side, including his wife; Crystal, it was determined that George had contracted a bacterial infection, the "Flesh Eating" Disease, medically called Necrotizing Fasciitis. Crystal was notified by the doctors that the infection in Georges' foot has spread, and that she needed to make the decision to choose Georges' leg or Georges' life.
Crystal made the difficult decision to allow the doctors to amputate Georges' right leg to above the knee.
George has a monumental battle ahead of him!
He has numerous months of travel to and from Thunder Bay, where he will be attending St. Joesph's Hospital, to undergo 6-12 weeks of intensive physiotherapy, medical appointments, counselling and prosthetic leg fittings. He will also be attending Thunder Bay Regional Hospital to see specialists and psychologists, to help him deal with his limb loss, continued medical appointments and pain mediation.
In the time that has passed since his surgery, George has stayed positive in his battle, using his faith, and the strength of his family and friends to meet this challenge head on and with determination. Some may think that these challenges would have deterred and dampened George's spirit and drive, but it is quite the opposite! For those that know George well, his faith-filled, determined and positive outlook has been constant. While talking with George about his determination, he takes little credit for it. Instead, he gives all of the accolades to his support ‘TEAM’ – his wife, parents, brothers, extended family members and his large group of friends, as the ones who have encouraged him to continue fighting to make his life better.
As his friend and colleague I would like to show my support for him. I thought that the best way to do this, and help him regain his independence, and to realize some of his future dreams, was to help fundraise for his on-going costs for travel, medications, prosthetics, rehabilitation, homecare equipment, renovations for accessibility, as well as loss of income and wages.
Ontario Health Care provides coverage for some costs that are associated with rehabilitation and equipment needs, but this is limited to very basic needs. Having said that, it is estimated that personal costs may likely exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars over the next several years.
In order to alleviate some of the associated costs and expenses to George & Crystal, and his parents I am looking for donations through GoFundMe.
Funds are needed immediately as George requires the purchase of a custom fit wheelchair, leg prosthetics (for walking and hopefully skating), renovations and modifications to his house; bathroom and bedroom access, widening door openings and an accessible wheelchair ramp to the main door.
For those people who can not make a donation through the GoFundMe page, you are encouraged to drop off your donations at Domino's Pizza in Dryden, beside Drive Test Centre, located in the Golden Mile Plaza (539 Government St #14), care of the General Manager; Darryl Adams.
Please SHARE, REPOST, FORWARD and SPREAD this to anyone and everyone you can think of who cares!
Thank you to all friends and family who are able to donate.
Any amount will help!!!!
Lastly, George wants everyone to know how grateful he is for your support, during this challenging and difficult time, and hopes to one day give you a handshake or a hug in person!
