Help Lori Get Back on Her Feet (Literally)

Hello Everyone, My name is Lori, and I will soon be starting my 24th year of teaching. Currently, I am teaching High School United States History and World History. I LOVE my job very much!! I started the long medical journey of knee replacement surgery for both my knees. I started with the left knee surgery during Summer Break of 2015. The surgery and recovery went so well, and I made the decision to have the right knee replacement over Christmas Break that same year. Recovery went well until May of 2016 when an infection developed in my right knee. Since then, I have been through multiple revision surgeries and procedures to try to save my leg. I had my last knee replacement during June of 2022. Once again, I was excited by the result of the 5-hour surgery to rebuild my leg. I completed physical therapy and went back to work. Things were going well until the week before Thanksgiving 2022. The infection in my leg had returned once again. I was admitted to the hospital. On top of the infection in my leg, I tested positive for COVID-19 as well. As a result, I spent the next 10 days in isolation in the hospital. I was given the option of having my right knee fused so I couldn't bend it, or I could opt for amputation. I chose amputation because the repeated infections had taken a toll on the rest of my body. I wanted desperately to feel healthy again. Since I tested positive for COVID-19, My amputation surgery was delayed until December of 2022. I returned to work at my teaching job after recovering from that surgery. I had some issues during the healing process, and my surgeon referred me to a plastic surgeon. Before I was able to have my first appointment with the plastic surgeon, I developed an infection in my amputated leg. Resulting in three more surgeries during the Summer of 2023. The infection had spread into my femur and I lost another 2 inches of my leg. I returned to work at my teaching job after Labor Day 2023. I was able to work the entire school year with no signs of the infection returning. I have an appointment on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, to begin the process of being fitted for my first prosthetic leg. As you can imagine, all of the surgeries, physical therapy, hospitalizations, medications, time missed from my job have taken a toll on my finances. I would be ever so grateful for any donations sent my way to help me during this time. I am almost 53 years old and I have a lot of living left to do. I want to be able to afford a prosthetic leg that will help me be as active as possible. I have 3 beautiful grandchildren I need to spoil!!

Thank you for reading my story!!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL !!