Hi, I'm Krys, and asking for help like this isn't something I ever expected to do.

In March 2026, I went to the hospital after dealing with worsening pain in my left ankle. I was diagnosed with an ankle sprain with joint fluid, and X-rays also showed heel spurs.

I expected it to heal.

For the next couple of months, I wore an ankle brace while continuing to work. My job requires a lot of time on my feet, and after transferring to a different work site in May, that increased significantly. My shifts included repeated walking patrols, stairs, and eventually around six miles of walking during a workday.

For a while, my ankle improved enough that I thought I might finally be getting somewhere. Eventually, I tried going without the brace.

Unfortunately, that didn't last.

After about two weeks without it, my ankle suddenly became significantly worse.

What started as sharp pain around the outside of my ankle developed into repeated pain flares affecting different areas of my ankle and foot. I began experiencing swelling and bruising, pain even while resting, tenderness severe enough that parts of my ankle couldn't comfortably be touched, and episodes of pain severe enough to bring me to tears.

The pain began affecting the top and sides of my foot, my heel, and my toes as well. At one point, I temporarily couldn't put weight on the foot at all.

I've also experienced spasms triggered by curling my toes that travel from my arch and heel, through my ankle and calf, and toward my knee.

Eventually, the pain became severe enough that I returned to Medical City Alliance.

Thankfully, the new X-rays did not show a new fracture or significant bone damage. But they also didn't explain why my ankle and foot were hurting this badly.

I was given a different ankle support and a post-op shoe, medication for pain and inflammation, four days away from work, and a referral to an orthopedic specialist for further evaluation.

I'm now back at work, but I'm still dealing with pain. I rely heavily on my Tri-Lock ankle brace to tolerate standing and walking through my shifts, and I've started developing aching through my hips and lower back as my body tries to compensate for the way I'm walking.

I've now followed the hospital's referral and scheduled an appointment with Dr. John S. Badylak at Texas Bone & Joint for July 30th.

Because I don't have health insurance, I'll be paying for the appointment entirely out of pocket. I was quoted an estimated $390 for the initial visit, although I was told the final amount could be higher or lower depending on the appointment.

That's just the first step.

Not having health insurance is also the biggest reason I didn't see an orthopedic specialist after the original injury in March. I couldn't afford another medical expense, so I kept working, kept bracing it, and hoped it would eventually get better.

Four months later, I don't want cost to be the reason I keep putting this off.

There's also some history that makes getting a proper orthopedic evaluation especially important. This same left leg and ankle have been through quite a bit over the years, including multiple previous ankle sprains, torn ankle ligaments in 2014, a torn meniscus in 2017, and a broken leg in 2019.

Right now, I don't know what the orthopedic specialist is going to find.

I may only need additional support and more time to heal. But depending on the evaluation, I could need additional imaging, physical therapy, medication, braces or other medical equipment, follow-up appointments, or other treatment.

Because my job requires so much walking and standing, there's another financial concern: work.

Medical City already took me out of work for four days during the most recent flare. If the orthopedic specialist determines that I need additional time off, restricted activity, or treatment that prevents me from performing my normal duties, I could lose income on top of the medical expenses.

Money raised through this fundraiser will help cover:

• The estimated $390 cost of my initial orthopedic appointment

• Additional imaging or testing if medically necessary

• Braces, supports, or other medical equipment

• Medication and recommended treatment

• Physical therapy if needed

• Follow-up orthopedic appointments

• Lost wages if I'm medically required to miss work or have work restrictions

• Other necessary expenses directly related to treatment and recovery

I don't want to guess at medical expenses I haven't actually been given yet, so I'll update this fundraiser after my orthopedic appointment when I know more about what's happening and what treatment is recommended.

If the costs are lower than expected, I'll adjust the fundraising goal accordingly. If additional treatment is needed, I'll update the fundraiser with that information as I receive it.

Any amount helps. Even a few dollars gets me closer to finally finding out what's happening with my ankle without having to choose between getting medical care and being able to afford everything else.

If you're unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much to me.

Thank you for reading, donating, sharing, or simply rooting for me while I try to finally get this taken care of.

Hopefully I'll be back on both feet soon.

Preferably without one of them being held together by Velcro.