Our Dad, Don Sutterfield on his road to recovery

November 9th, our loving, fun, caring, dad and grandpa and public servant for 40 plus years was rushed to the hospital by ambulance in severe pain and very sick.   

We knew by the Dr's faces this was not good.  Within a couple of hours he was rushed to the Operating Room and put on life support.  
We will never forget the way we felt and what we heard.  He was diagnosed with Necrotizing Fasciitis (a very rare flesh eating bacteria) and was in severe septic shock with multiple organ failure.  They gave him 2-6 hours to live.  One doctor told us there was no way the he would survive.  We buried his mom the Thursday before and hadn't been feeling well, but how could this be? 

He has been in a medically induced coma for 11 days and has had 6 surgeries and blood transfusions. The significance of the wound is devastating.  The surgeons have had to remove all the tissue, fat, muscles, from his pelvic area into his waistline, stomach and his entire right glute, down a portion of his leg and up to his 2nd vertebrae.  The wound will not be able to be closed and will need to heal from the inside out.   Doctors say he has numerous additional surgeries ahead of him.   At this time he his having them every 48 hours to look for any infection, remove any infected or dead tissue and replace the wound vac.  He is still in critical condition and has a long road ahead of him with unimaginable obstacles.  He is projected to be in the hospital for at least 2 months where he will then be transferred to a wound specialty/rehabilitation hospital.  Once the wound has healed he will have to undergo several plastic surgeries to be able to walk and sit.  They project 6-12 months before he will be well enough to come home  and will more than likely need home care as well. 

Our dad only retired 2 years ago.  He gave almost 40 years to Rogers Public Schools  and his heart to the to the community of Rogers.  He has dreams and goals of being able to enjoy his retirement with his family and grandchildren who are his world as he is theirs.  His favorite things are to watch his grandchildren play ball, school events, being in the outdoors and just being with us.   He can tell a story like no one else and he can make a room laugh with joy by his funny unreal stories. 

Unfortunately, his retirement and our moms disability doesn't leave them with a lot left at the end of each month.  Through the Lord, prayers and the work of amazing physicians they have been able to create the workings of a miracle.
    
As you can imagine this has taken a significant toll emotionally, physically and the financial portion has just begun.   As of now there is no way of knowing how much it will actually cost but their is no way our parents can afford the medical bills and unexpected expenses that are piling up everyday.   The family is doing everything that we can but we need help from anyone who is able to give.  We are asking everyone to help our dad beat this horrible illness that has already taken so much. 

We pray that the Lord will continue to heal him and he can be a testimony of the Lords healing powers.  One way we can help is to try and take some of the financial burden off of our parents. 

Funds raised will go to help our mom with any expenses associated with our dads illness. 

Not only are we starting this page to help our parents but to also raise awareness to this horrible illness.  It is not a bacteria that you can just get in the water.

Thank you for taking the time to read.  No amount is too small.  We ask that you keep our dad and family in your thoughts and prayers.