Jerry certainly hadn’t expected to have a GoFundMe. And yet, here we are. In January, quite unexpectedly, Jerry developed a wound on the bottom of his right foot. He had a visit with a vascular surgeon and was told he could not return to work that day. He is diabetic, but had never had a wound on his foot. Over the next twelve weeks he visited the wound clinic and his foot healed. He was fully expecting to be back to work. He had new orthotics ordered and was quite optimistic.
On Easter weekend, Jerry began to feel unwell with low back pain, body aches, and chills. While the rest of us walked around sleeveless, he was bundled up and clearly uncomfortable. By Sunday, he looked miserable and started having shaking chills. When I checked on him, I realized his foot was soaking through his bandage. I insisted he go to the ER, and thankfully, he agreed.
At the hospital, the doctor unwrapped his bandage and found his foot was dripping, with the bottom black and surrounded by a yellow ring, and the top red and swollen. He had developed a new infection in a different spot on his foot. The doctor immediately started antibiotics and admitted him overnight. The next day, the podiatrist determined Jerry needed wound debridement. The infection had spread from his skin to the muscle, tendon, and bone. Jerry has been in the hospital for almost two weeks, undergoing two debridements and continuous antibiotics. The doctors said if he hadn’t come in when he did, he could have lost his foot or even his life. He was diagnosed with a diabetic foot infection and sepsis. After surgery, he now has an open wound covered with a graft to help new skin grow, but it will take at least six weeks for the skin and another six for the bone to heal. This is after twelve weeks of being out of work, and the vascular surgeon warned it could take months for his foot to fully heal.
We are hopeful for Jerry’s recovery, but the financial strain is overwhelming. His short-term disability is ending, long-term disability won’t be available for two months, and he has used all his PTO. The cost of insurance, care, medications, and living expenses is mounting. We are asking for donations, prayers, and messages of encouragement to help Jerry and our family through this difficult time. Your support means the world to us and will help Jerry focus on healing.
On Easter weekend, Jerry began to feel unwell with low back pain, body aches, and chills. While the rest of us walked around sleeveless, he was bundled up and clearly uncomfortable. By Sunday, he looked miserable and started having shaking chills. When I checked on him, I realized his foot was soaking through his bandage. I insisted he go to the ER, and thankfully, he agreed.
At the hospital, the doctor unwrapped his bandage and found his foot was dripping, with the bottom black and surrounded by a yellow ring, and the top red and swollen. He had developed a new infection in a different spot on his foot. The doctor immediately started antibiotics and admitted him overnight. The next day, the podiatrist determined Jerry needed wound debridement. The infection had spread from his skin to the muscle, tendon, and bone. Jerry has been in the hospital for almost two weeks, undergoing two debridements and continuous antibiotics. The doctors said if he hadn’t come in when he did, he could have lost his foot or even his life. He was diagnosed with a diabetic foot infection and sepsis. After surgery, he now has an open wound covered with a graft to help new skin grow, but it will take at least six weeks for the skin and another six for the bone to heal. This is after twelve weeks of being out of work, and the vascular surgeon warned it could take months for his foot to fully heal.
We are hopeful for Jerry’s recovery, but the financial strain is overwhelming. His short-term disability is ending, long-term disability won’t be available for two months, and he has used all his PTO. The cost of insurance, care, medications, and living expenses is mounting. We are asking for donations, prayers, and messages of encouragement to help Jerry and our family through this difficult time. Your support means the world to us and will help Jerry focus on healing.