Let's Help Tommy Heal
Donation protected
For those of you that don’t know me, I am Tom Anderson’s cousin, Debbie Moreno. Most people who read this are aware that to know Tommy is to love him; and many of you will also be aware that Tom has been through an ongoing series of medical challenges, with a recent surgery that led to this call for help.
Tommy has always kept such a positive attitude and he has always been there to help others. He is quick to share his smile and kindness and has never let his health problems stop him from doing what he can to support a friend, family member, or even a stranger. Tommy would not ask for help himself, but I see it as giving those of us who care about him an opportunity to be there for him by easing the stress of worrying about how the bills will get paid. It is a perfect chance to share whatever we are able to help him through his time of healing with its crushing financial set-back.
The Back Story
In 1996, Tommy was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and AFib (atrial fibrillation); in 1998 he was put on a heart transplant list, and with the right meds, he began to have hope. Miraculously Tommy began to heal and became stronger. He no longer needed the new heart. Then, in 2002, he was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. This meant he had no feeling from the ankles down, which lead to his contracting osteomyelitis in his 2nd toe and a subsequent partial amputation.
From 2007-2014, Tom had several amputations, with an infection in his metatarsal in 2011 that three separate doctors couldn't diagnose. Finally, a year and a half later, Tom found a Podiatrist at Scripps who specialized in wound care and had an exploratory surgery that found the bacteria—two weeks later it was completely healed.
This August, Tommy was diagnosed with a cellulitis infection and admitted to the hospital. To his dismay, his Podiatrist was on vacation in Israel. The doctors on staff ran X-rays, MRI's and other scans trying to see if the infection had gotten to the bone. They decided to treat the cellulitis with an IV Antibiotic and sent him home. The soft tissue healed up. However, last month, the infection flared up again. It seems that the infection HAD reached the bone. Tom’s doctor immediately admitted him to the hospital, where all the remaining toes on his right foot were amputated.
Tom is now healing and has maintained his positive outlook on the life and the future. In the past, the toes (or more appropriately, the missing toes), were the cause of his health challenges. Now with no toes, he has faith that there shouldn't be any more problems, because the weak toes are gone, and he’s not carrying their weight as he rolls off the front of his foot when he walks. The problem with all of these wound and infection issues, besides the obvious, is that Tommy can't work to run his business, which requires driving and working on bicycles—which translates to standing and walking that he can’t do in these weeks of healing. Put simply, while Tommy heals, he can't work, so he has no income. Though the income dries up, the bills and costs of living remain. Tommy’s healing time, which is usually 3-6 weeks, is tough. This surgery was so close to his August infection and stay at the hospital that it made the financial burden all the worse. But Tommy continues to have a strong faith in God and knows he will prevail--believing through prayer and staying positive; it will all work out.
The Solution
I believe it will all work out too; especially if each of us contributes whatever we are able to offer. Maybe you don’t have any financial contribution that you can spare? Please know that you can still help by sharing this page on your Facebook page and by remembering Tom in your prayers. We are very grateful for these important efforts, too.
All contributions will go directly to Tommy to help pay the bills incurred and living expenses through this critical time of healing.
Thank you so much for sharing from your heart as you are able. Each and every gift will make a difference and is sincerely appreciated.
Tommy has always kept such a positive attitude and he has always been there to help others. He is quick to share his smile and kindness and has never let his health problems stop him from doing what he can to support a friend, family member, or even a stranger. Tommy would not ask for help himself, but I see it as giving those of us who care about him an opportunity to be there for him by easing the stress of worrying about how the bills will get paid. It is a perfect chance to share whatever we are able to help him through his time of healing with its crushing financial set-back.
The Back Story
In 1996, Tommy was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and AFib (atrial fibrillation); in 1998 he was put on a heart transplant list, and with the right meds, he began to have hope. Miraculously Tommy began to heal and became stronger. He no longer needed the new heart. Then, in 2002, he was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. This meant he had no feeling from the ankles down, which lead to his contracting osteomyelitis in his 2nd toe and a subsequent partial amputation.
From 2007-2014, Tom had several amputations, with an infection in his metatarsal in 2011 that three separate doctors couldn't diagnose. Finally, a year and a half later, Tom found a Podiatrist at Scripps who specialized in wound care and had an exploratory surgery that found the bacteria—two weeks later it was completely healed.
This August, Tommy was diagnosed with a cellulitis infection and admitted to the hospital. To his dismay, his Podiatrist was on vacation in Israel. The doctors on staff ran X-rays, MRI's and other scans trying to see if the infection had gotten to the bone. They decided to treat the cellulitis with an IV Antibiotic and sent him home. The soft tissue healed up. However, last month, the infection flared up again. It seems that the infection HAD reached the bone. Tom’s doctor immediately admitted him to the hospital, where all the remaining toes on his right foot were amputated.
Tom is now healing and has maintained his positive outlook on the life and the future. In the past, the toes (or more appropriately, the missing toes), were the cause of his health challenges. Now with no toes, he has faith that there shouldn't be any more problems, because the weak toes are gone, and he’s not carrying their weight as he rolls off the front of his foot when he walks. The problem with all of these wound and infection issues, besides the obvious, is that Tommy can't work to run his business, which requires driving and working on bicycles—which translates to standing and walking that he can’t do in these weeks of healing. Put simply, while Tommy heals, he can't work, so he has no income. Though the income dries up, the bills and costs of living remain. Tommy’s healing time, which is usually 3-6 weeks, is tough. This surgery was so close to his August infection and stay at the hospital that it made the financial burden all the worse. But Tommy continues to have a strong faith in God and knows he will prevail--believing through prayer and staying positive; it will all work out.
The Solution
I believe it will all work out too; especially if each of us contributes whatever we are able to offer. Maybe you don’t have any financial contribution that you can spare? Please know that you can still help by sharing this page on your Facebook page and by remembering Tom in your prayers. We are very grateful for these important efforts, too.
All contributions will go directly to Tommy to help pay the bills incurred and living expenses through this critical time of healing.
Thank you so much for sharing from your heart as you are able. Each and every gift will make a difference and is sincerely appreciated.
Organiser and beneficiary
Debbie Moreno
Organiser
Encinitas, CA
Tom Anderson
Beneficiary