My name is Michael Valentine. I have had some major medical issues recently and I have been unable to work and I am not sure when I will be able to return to work. I am asking for some assistance during this time. Thank you

April 7,2026

Well, what was supposed to be a normal, routine total left knee replacement turned into anything but. I had been having knee trouble off and on for the past 31 years due to my motor vehicle accident on March 30, 1995, which resulted in both of my legs being broken - the tibia/fibula in my left leg and the femur in my right leg. The pain became really severe 2-3 years ago and i began seeing medical advice from Orthopedic Doctors. On June 19, 2024, I have meniscus surgery at Vanderbilt Surgery Center and then on December 20, 2024, I had the rod removed from my Tibia that had been inserted there after my car accident 30 years earlier.

I had an appointment on December 11, 2025 with Dr. Brian Dierckman at Elite Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Franklin, TN, After we introduced ourselves, the Dr. asked me,, “When would you like to schedule your total left knee replacement?” We set a date of March 4,2026. March 4th arrived and I arrived and checked into the hospital. I had the surgery and when home on March 5th. I began Therapy and after the 2nd therapy session, there was about a 1/2” opening in the Bend of the knee. It was draining pure blood and I was changing the dressing and bandages about 5-6 times a day. The Dr. decided to perform a 2nd surgery and redo the entire incision. The second surgery happened on March 18th. As before on the 2nd therapy visit, the incision opened up again in the same place and was draining just as bad or worse than before. The staples were no longer in straight line but all over the place. A terrible infection set in and I had a 3rd surgery performed on April 1st. I was in the hospital for 6 days. There were two types of Staph infection, 1 was Staphylococcus Aureus with MRSA and the 2nd strain was a lesser known strain of Staph. I left the hospital on April 6th with a PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter.). I will have to self administer Daptomycin 750MG antibiotics daily for 6 weeks. There will be a Home Health nurse come out and change the PICC line dressing and draw labs once a week. I also came home with a Prevena 125 Wound Vac that keeps fluid away from the incision.

I am asking for any amount that you may be able to provide. I have not been able to work since March 3rd due to 3 surgeries in less than 1 month (March 4th, March 18th, and April 1st.). I do have health insurance that I pay for monthly as well as separate policy for dental and vision. Plus all of my regular monthly expenses - Utilities, various insurance premiums, food, medical supplies, prescriptions, rent etc. I have a short term disability policy and I submitted the forms and the company said they never received them. I resubmitted the forms again on March 9th and the informed me that it would take 30-45 days to process but I cannot depend on that. As all of you know, having insurance does not pay for all things medical.

If you are able to donate, no matter the amount, your generosity is tremendously appreciated. If you are not able to donate, please pray for me and for complete healing are tremendously appreciated as well. All of you who know me know that I would be at work if I could be. Working, being productive and having a job are such a huge part of my life.

Thank you for your time in reading this and for your consideration in donating. Please share on your Facebook if you so wish.

Sincerely with love and gratitude,

Michael Valentine