Hi my name is Nadia and I’ve started this fundraiser on behalf of one of my best friends, Brianna Gardner. Bri recently had a surgery that changed her life forever. This was a below knee amputation on her right leg. Before the amputation, she’d been going to several doctors, podiatrists and wound care centers getting her foot debrided weekly and trying to get answers as to what was going on. She’s been a type one diabetic for 15 years since the age of 14 so it’s known that the feet are one of the hardest things to heal, due to poor circulation. However, this wasn’t what was occurring. Lymphedema was causing her legs to swell any time she was standing (water retention). Unless her legs and feet were elevated, she was retaining fluid. The fluid having nowhere to go while having to be on her feet started to create pockets and blisters on her legs and feet. They would drain causing her feet to constantly be wet making healing impossible for any wound. This was the beginning of the series of problems she faced. During her admission at cape cod hospital she was diagnosed with osteomyelitis which is a bone infection that spread from her leg to her foot through her bloodstream and tissue. It’s unknown how long she’s had the disease but by the time it was found, her heel bone was completely shattered and the doctor told her it was unsalvageable. After seeking out her options and the opinions of several different medical professionals, she found out that her only option was an amputation. Since the operation she’s slowly trying to recover. She’d spent close to a month at Cape Cod Hospital. She also was in Spaulding Rehab facility for physical therapy and occupational therapy for one month and is currently in a wheel chair. She plans to get a prosthetic as soon as possible but will need to do outpatient physical therapy to learn how to use it once received. If not outpatient pt, she may have another opportunity to stay at Spaulding and reap the benefits of all the facility has to offer as she was really happy with her experience the first time. Bri has been trying her best to stay as positive as possible as well as keeping an open mind to this traumatic life-changing experience. She has her good days but she also has many bad days. She needs a lot of stuff to help her at this point in her recovery and insurance has and can only cover so much. Some of these things being a ramp to get in and out of her home, a new wheelchair, renovations in her home for grab bars in the bathrooms and bedrooms. She faces losing her home as being out of work for such a long period of time. She’s fallen behind in many aspects and this all has taken a toll on her and her partner (who is the primary person to care for her at this time). There are many financial issues that she faces at this time when she should only be focused on her recovery. There are many programs and places that she’s sought out financial assistance from but waiting lists and priority always come into play. I just would like for her to have stability and security more than anything so that she can keep her focus on what’s important and strive to be the best version of herself. I want for her to have all the things she needs so that she can have her independence while being confined to the wheelchair. I also would like for her to be safe as I know she’s been struggling to get in and out of her home as well as moving around inside, trying to get in and out of the shower, etc. I know it bothers her to ask for help. I also know her independence is everything to her. If everyone could please take the time to share this if unable to donate we would all appreciate it so much. I speak for Bri, her partner, and her family when I thank all in advance willing to help by donations and/or sharing this and also for taking the time to read some of her story. She’d like for me to let everyone know, if you have questions about anything, feel free to reach out to her on Facebook. Shes learned a lot about type one diabetes, osteomyelitis, diabetic retinopathy, gastroparesis, neuropathy, and lymphadenopathy (diseases she mostly faces due to type one diabetes) with an exception of osteomyelitis-so if anybody has questions about anything or just want to ask her about her take of what it’s like to live with these things she would like to share- especially if she’s able to help someone going through similar experiences. Thank you again, any donation or share on social media is appreciated more than words.