- K
- Hello, I am 53 years old, a father, grandfather, husband, Christian, musician, and many other things as are most people in life. I won't pretend I always have done everything right, but I can honestly say throughout my life I have always tried to help others when possible. For the past 35 years, especially among the local music scene, I many times have taken time and participated in local charities and fundraising benefits, playing in different bands during events, providing PA systems for those events, as well as time on some coordinating and scheduling, and also beating on doors of local businesses for donations, placing and collecting donation cans, etc. I have also volunteered my time at local churches for community events, ran errands for people in need, taken them shopping or gone shopping for them. I've even repaired things for free for people who couldn't afford otherwise.
- I was diagnosed at 21 with diabetes. I became insulin-dependent, needing injections at 36. In 2018, I broke my 5th metatarsal, which healed into what's called a metatarsal declination. This led to several diabetic ulcers between 2019 and 2022. In 2022, infection in an ulcer made it down to the 5th metatarsal, so my podiatrist removed the top half of the bone as it had broken again and was visible from the ulcer. This was done in his office chair without any warning and left the remainder of the bone in my foot with a jagged sharp edge. For the next two years, I dealt with that wound constantly open; it never would heal despite reassurances from my podiatrist and pleas from me to remove the remaining bone as it felt like being stabbed with every step. Finally, at the end of 2024, it had closed after several infections and amputation of my big toe from infection. I finally thought the nightmare was over. Three months later, in January of this year, it suddenly became very painful to walk. After 2-3 hours, my foot would swell and make getting any shoe off difficult, and I developed a new ulcer in the same spot as the original, another infection as well. The x-rays the podiatrist took showed the remaining metatarsal leaning outwards in my opinion, but the doctor said it looked fine. I made an appointment with an orthopedic doctor, and before I could get in to see them, the remaining bone pushed its way out of my foot at home. I removed it, put it in a bag, cleansed and wrapped the wound, and went to the ER. That was a wasted trip. We see you have an upcoming appointment; follow up with Ortho. At this point, until two weeks later at that appointment, I could barely walk at all. I was told from the x-rays of both feet I included pictures of that two years of recurring infection along with reduced blood flow from diabetes and inflammation have led to a condition known as Charcot's foot. I have spent the past five months using crutches, a wheelchair, and a knee scooter as I had several fractures that caused the complete collapse of my right foot. Follow-up appointment last month with a specialist in orthopedic repair concluded there is too much degeneration in the bones for a surgical solution.
- I go in for surgery on Sept 4th for an above-ankle amputation. 3-4 weeks after that, I'll be able to start rehabilitation with a temporary prosthetic, and at 6-8 weeks, be fitted for a permanent one. I have pretty decent insurance, and 20% on certain specialty items doesn't sound bad, but then I found out this week that the temporary and permanent prosthetics are going to be 20-25k. I live on a fixed income; I don't have 4-5k, so I am humbly asking for any help you can provide. Thank you and God Bless!