Help Save Wendy's Leg
Donation protected
On November 9th, 2016, Wendy, was in Los Barilles for dinner and she suddenly and unexpectedly felt a severe sudden pain in her left calf. It felt as if a gun shot hit her calf muscle. She sat down for a while, and realized she was severely injured. With assistance from some nearby acquaintances, she got on her scooter and felt she could drive home. Just as she was entering the final turn to her home, the scooter hit some sand on the road and Wendy went down, injuring her left shoulder as well.
She was treated at the local clinic, who told her she had merely sprained her leg and shoulder. The next few days the pain was severe, and Wendy went to the local hospital saw Dr. Cardenas, a specialist in orthopedic traumatology. He ordered an MRI which showed a 100% torn Achilles tendon, and a 100% torn Rotator Cuff and detachment of her biceps tendon. Pre surgical testing was done and Surgery was performed on November 25, 2016. Wendy spent a week in the H+ hospital, and was released to total bedrest on December 1st, 2016.
Wendy's rotator cuff repair proceeded to heal perfectly, however her Achilles tendon incision erupted in swelling and much pain. Granulomas formed around her incision and grew worse, even with much medication and total bedrest.
Although no infection was found, it was determined that the "Ethicon" sutures used to repair Wendy's Achilles were causing an extreme reaction to her leg. On February 9, 2017, barely a month since her first 8-hour surgery, a second surgery was performed to debride Wendy's leg and remove all the 'knots' on the Ethicon sutures. During the operation, a decision was made to leave the remaining Ethicon Sutures on the Achilles tendon repair intact. The incision was opened, this work performed, and then closed, and again, no infection was found. Wendy was taken home from the hospital and at home, restricted to bedrest with her leg elevated and limited mobility.
Just over a month since Wendy's 2nd operation, she was enduring severe pain and eruptive granulomas forming around her ankle, and reactions to the remaining sutures. On March 23, 2017, a third operation was scheduled to remove ALL of the Ethicon sutures in Wendy's Achilles and they were replaced with nylon sutures. This 6+-hour surgery was very involved, and in great pain, Wendy remained in the hospital for a week after surgery.
Over the next few weeks, even though immobilized and with her leg elevated, sadly, Wendy's leg had endured so much surgical trauma by this time, the wound in her Achilles area simply could not close. The sutures would not hold, and there was no longer sufficient skin left to repair this open wound, which was still oozing and very painful, even though there was no evidence of infection.
Experts in the fields of Microvascular & Micro-reconstructive and plastic surgery were consulted as far as Mexico City. It was determined that due to lack of vascularity, Wendy would require a very intensive "Flap" repair to her lower leg, which would include cutting a flap of skin from her ankle area up to her knee and bringing it back down to form a cover over the open surgical site. The flap would involve cutting an artery, a nerve, and a vein to provide needed blood flow to the area.
A specialist in reconstructive micro-vascular surgery, Dr. Mario Mendoza Muñoz, Associate Professor, Postgraduate Courses in Hand Surgery, agreed to fly in from Mexico City to assist Dr. Cristhyan Baruch Cañedo Guzman, also a specialist in micro-vascular hand surgery and traumatology who practices in La Paz.
On April 13, 2017, just 20 days since Wendy's FOURTH surgery, Drs. Muñoz and Guzman re-opened Wendy's leg and over the next 6 hours, removed ALL the remaining sutures in her leg, debrided any remaining granulomas, performed the delicate "flap" reconstructive surgery, and Wendy was returned to recovery where she spent the following 8 days in acute care at the Emergency Medical Center Hospital in La Paz.
Under the careful hourly scrutiny of doctors and nurses round the clock while hospitalized, the flap began to show signs of "life" and the surgeons were pleased. However, the lower distal part of the flap sadly did not respond, and became necrotic.
Just 16 days later, it was determined that a graft would have to be cut from Wendy's outer calf to cover the lower part of the flap that was not responding. On April 29th, this SIXTH surgical procedure was performed and Wendy was sent home and continued to be immobile with complete bedrest and no ambulatory capabilities.
Wendy has been surrounded by support from her little church in East Cape Baja California Sur, East Cape Christian Community Church, who have helped with providing her meals, care as possible, and mostly, prayers.
Wendy's insurance covered a mere $10,000 lifetime benefit of non-diving accident insurance towards her first surgery, and she had to pay the balance. She did not expect to need five more surgical procedures, extensive hospitalization, expert surgical care, or the huge amount of medications.
Her leg remains in a state of great disfigurement and worse, a gaping surgical area still not healed. It has been thought by experts and many professional diving friends versed in Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Therapy that Wendy would be an excellent candidate to receive this level of post-surgical care.
Wendy's savings has dwindled, and could barely make it through these surgical procedures financially. Now it is completely out of her financial ability to cover any more expense for this much needed HBOT therapy.
There is no certainty that Wendy's grossly disfigured leg will repair correctly. She is left with numbing nerve pain throughout her left foot, which constantly send burning impulses down her leg and into her numb and painful foot. Her ankle and foot are extremely swollen, and she continues to be unable to put weight on her foot, and moves from her bed to her bathroom with the assistance of a walker. To make matters worse, she recently required a root canal, further straining her financial resources.
The recommended treatment for Wendy’s HBOT therapy would be 25-30 sessions in the chamber, at a cost of $250.00 per treatment session. She would also require housing close-by so that she would not have to make the 2-hour drive back and forth to the treatment center. The recommendation is that she start this therapy as soon as possible.
Wendy has a strong Faith in God, and has kept very positive and consistent upbeat attitude. She has been a PADI Certified Master Scuba Dive Trainer for nearly 30 years, and she has continued to mentor adaptive divers during her infirmary, and hopes to open an adaptive dive center in Baja as soon as she is well so she can help others regain a sense of self-confidence and freedom once she is better. Wendy has endured many setbacks in life, and as a survivor of Domestic Violence which robbed her of pretty much everything she held dear, over the past two and a half years, she has tried very hard to rebuild her life, a life dedicated to helping others. She has a strong Faith, a lot of courage, and a super sense of humor!
At this time in her life, we reach out to you, and ask if you can help in any way, so Wendy can get well, and make her visions of helping others come true and get back to teaching diving and the underwater world she loves.
This HBOT Therapy is critical to expediting Wendy's healing, and needs to start as soon as humanly possible.
Please help with a donation of any amount, which will go directly to the medical expenses of this terrible accident.
Thank-you and God Bless You!
Wendy Jane Werner Crown..... before the accident...
Wendy says "Indie", her loyal & protective White Lab - "rescued her", but she really found him alone, abused, & lost lost in La Paz, malnourished & living on mangos...
At first, the closure looked promising... Nov. 2016
Then the painful granulomas began 'erupting' from within.... Dec. 2016
Subsequent surgical procedures caused even more granulomas to appear, as long as the Ethicon sutures remained... March 2017
Necrotic tissue was removed, and the flap was partially successful, however a graft was needed for the distal part of the lower region... another surgery...April 2017.
A graft was cut and placed on Wendy's leg in hopes of getting complete closure and healing. Her 6th surgery, April 2017.
Wendy now had an incised leg from her ankle all the way up to her knee, plus a new incision on the side of her leg from where the graft was cut.
After 7 Months of immobility, six surgeries, and hundreds of hours sitting very still in a hospital bed or at home, this is what Wendy's ankle looks like today.
Wendy desperately needs this Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Therapy, and support for what she has bravely endured since November 2016.
Will you please help Wendy, even if just a little?
Thanks in advance for your prayers, your moral support, and any financial support you can offer!
Direct Contributions can also be sent to the following address: Wendy Jane Crown,
c/o Help-Heal-Wendys-Leg,
P.O. Box 832204,
Richardson, TX 75083-2204.
THANK YOU!!! <3
She was treated at the local clinic, who told her she had merely sprained her leg and shoulder. The next few days the pain was severe, and Wendy went to the local hospital saw Dr. Cardenas, a specialist in orthopedic traumatology. He ordered an MRI which showed a 100% torn Achilles tendon, and a 100% torn Rotator Cuff and detachment of her biceps tendon. Pre surgical testing was done and Surgery was performed on November 25, 2016. Wendy spent a week in the H+ hospital, and was released to total bedrest on December 1st, 2016.
Wendy's rotator cuff repair proceeded to heal perfectly, however her Achilles tendon incision erupted in swelling and much pain. Granulomas formed around her incision and grew worse, even with much medication and total bedrest.
Although no infection was found, it was determined that the "Ethicon" sutures used to repair Wendy's Achilles were causing an extreme reaction to her leg. On February 9, 2017, barely a month since her first 8-hour surgery, a second surgery was performed to debride Wendy's leg and remove all the 'knots' on the Ethicon sutures. During the operation, a decision was made to leave the remaining Ethicon Sutures on the Achilles tendon repair intact. The incision was opened, this work performed, and then closed, and again, no infection was found. Wendy was taken home from the hospital and at home, restricted to bedrest with her leg elevated and limited mobility.
Just over a month since Wendy's 2nd operation, she was enduring severe pain and eruptive granulomas forming around her ankle, and reactions to the remaining sutures. On March 23, 2017, a third operation was scheduled to remove ALL of the Ethicon sutures in Wendy's Achilles and they were replaced with nylon sutures. This 6+-hour surgery was very involved, and in great pain, Wendy remained in the hospital for a week after surgery.
Over the next few weeks, even though immobilized and with her leg elevated, sadly, Wendy's leg had endured so much surgical trauma by this time, the wound in her Achilles area simply could not close. The sutures would not hold, and there was no longer sufficient skin left to repair this open wound, which was still oozing and very painful, even though there was no evidence of infection.
Experts in the fields of Microvascular & Micro-reconstructive and plastic surgery were consulted as far as Mexico City. It was determined that due to lack of vascularity, Wendy would require a very intensive "Flap" repair to her lower leg, which would include cutting a flap of skin from her ankle area up to her knee and bringing it back down to form a cover over the open surgical site. The flap would involve cutting an artery, a nerve, and a vein to provide needed blood flow to the area.
A specialist in reconstructive micro-vascular surgery, Dr. Mario Mendoza Muñoz, Associate Professor, Postgraduate Courses in Hand Surgery, agreed to fly in from Mexico City to assist Dr. Cristhyan Baruch Cañedo Guzman, also a specialist in micro-vascular hand surgery and traumatology who practices in La Paz.
On April 13, 2017, just 20 days since Wendy's FOURTH surgery, Drs. Muñoz and Guzman re-opened Wendy's leg and over the next 6 hours, removed ALL the remaining sutures in her leg, debrided any remaining granulomas, performed the delicate "flap" reconstructive surgery, and Wendy was returned to recovery where she spent the following 8 days in acute care at the Emergency Medical Center Hospital in La Paz.
Under the careful hourly scrutiny of doctors and nurses round the clock while hospitalized, the flap began to show signs of "life" and the surgeons were pleased. However, the lower distal part of the flap sadly did not respond, and became necrotic.
Just 16 days later, it was determined that a graft would have to be cut from Wendy's outer calf to cover the lower part of the flap that was not responding. On April 29th, this SIXTH surgical procedure was performed and Wendy was sent home and continued to be immobile with complete bedrest and no ambulatory capabilities.
Wendy has been surrounded by support from her little church in East Cape Baja California Sur, East Cape Christian Community Church, who have helped with providing her meals, care as possible, and mostly, prayers.
Wendy's insurance covered a mere $10,000 lifetime benefit of non-diving accident insurance towards her first surgery, and she had to pay the balance. She did not expect to need five more surgical procedures, extensive hospitalization, expert surgical care, or the huge amount of medications.
Her leg remains in a state of great disfigurement and worse, a gaping surgical area still not healed. It has been thought by experts and many professional diving friends versed in Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Therapy that Wendy would be an excellent candidate to receive this level of post-surgical care.
Wendy's savings has dwindled, and could barely make it through these surgical procedures financially. Now it is completely out of her financial ability to cover any more expense for this much needed HBOT therapy.
There is no certainty that Wendy's grossly disfigured leg will repair correctly. She is left with numbing nerve pain throughout her left foot, which constantly send burning impulses down her leg and into her numb and painful foot. Her ankle and foot are extremely swollen, and she continues to be unable to put weight on her foot, and moves from her bed to her bathroom with the assistance of a walker. To make matters worse, she recently required a root canal, further straining her financial resources.
The recommended treatment for Wendy’s HBOT therapy would be 25-30 sessions in the chamber, at a cost of $250.00 per treatment session. She would also require housing close-by so that she would not have to make the 2-hour drive back and forth to the treatment center. The recommendation is that she start this therapy as soon as possible.
Wendy has a strong Faith in God, and has kept very positive and consistent upbeat attitude. She has been a PADI Certified Master Scuba Dive Trainer for nearly 30 years, and she has continued to mentor adaptive divers during her infirmary, and hopes to open an adaptive dive center in Baja as soon as she is well so she can help others regain a sense of self-confidence and freedom once she is better. Wendy has endured many setbacks in life, and as a survivor of Domestic Violence which robbed her of pretty much everything she held dear, over the past two and a half years, she has tried very hard to rebuild her life, a life dedicated to helping others. She has a strong Faith, a lot of courage, and a super sense of humor!
At this time in her life, we reach out to you, and ask if you can help in any way, so Wendy can get well, and make her visions of helping others come true and get back to teaching diving and the underwater world she loves.
This HBOT Therapy is critical to expediting Wendy's healing, and needs to start as soon as humanly possible.
Please help with a donation of any amount, which will go directly to the medical expenses of this terrible accident.
Thank-you and God Bless You!
Wendy Jane Werner Crown..... before the accident...
Wendy says "Indie", her loyal & protective White Lab - "rescued her", but she really found him alone, abused, & lost lost in La Paz, malnourished & living on mangos...
At first, the closure looked promising... Nov. 2016
Then the painful granulomas began 'erupting' from within.... Dec. 2016
Subsequent surgical procedures caused even more granulomas to appear, as long as the Ethicon sutures remained... March 2017
Necrotic tissue was removed, and the flap was partially successful, however a graft was needed for the distal part of the lower region... another surgery...April 2017.
A graft was cut and placed on Wendy's leg in hopes of getting complete closure and healing. Her 6th surgery, April 2017.
Wendy now had an incised leg from her ankle all the way up to her knee, plus a new incision on the side of her leg from where the graft was cut.
After 7 Months of immobility, six surgeries, and hundreds of hours sitting very still in a hospital bed or at home, this is what Wendy's ankle looks like today.
Wendy desperately needs this Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Therapy, and support for what she has bravely endured since November 2016.
Will you please help Wendy, even if just a little?
Thanks in advance for your prayers, your moral support, and any financial support you can offer!
Direct Contributions can also be sent to the following address: Wendy Jane Crown,
c/o Help-Heal-Wendys-Leg,
P.O. Box 832204,
Richardson, TX 75083-2204.
THANK YOU!!! <3
Organiser
Wendy Jane Werner Crown
Organiser
BCS, BCS