Let’s Give Vanessa Bayley a Hand—Literally!

Would you ever expect that a visit to the hospital for a routine procedure would result in the amputation of your hand? I expect your answer to be a resounding “No!”

Well, neither did my friend Vanessa, but that is exactly what happened to her.

My name is Kathryn Young, and I have been friends with Vanessa for over 15 years. Vanessa’s arm had to be amputated after a trip to the hospital resulted in complications. I am hoping to raise funds to help cover all of her living costs until she can resume working, and potentially the cost of prostheses or other equipment needed in the future.

Before I continue, I have to tell you that Vanessa is one of the most kind, positive, generous and supportive people you will ever meet. She lives with her 87 year old mother, as well as her brother. She is self-employed, having sold insurance for over 20 years. Thank goodness Vanessa is patient and has a sense of humour, because the last almost four months have tested her to the extreme!

On November 1st, 2021, Vanessa visited a local hospital to have a PICC line* inserted into her left arm by a radiologist, which usually takes less than 30 minutes. She was told it would make it easier to administer intravenous medications for her infected foot.

Vanessa went home after the procedure, and immediately noticed that she was having pain, and her hand was turning white. She called the ER right away and was told to return as soon as possible, as her issue was time sensitive. She took a taxi, and when she arrived, she was met with delay after delay. Eventually, she had the required imaging done after a 6 1/2 hour wait. The results indicated the need for emergency surgery to remove blood clots that had formed in her arm and hand.

These blood clots had cut off the circulation to Vanessa’s hand, causing the tissue to start dying. Her fingers started turning cold and black, and within a month her left index finger needed to be amputated. The gangrene continued to spread, until the vascular surgeon informed her that the whole hand would have to be amputated. The surgery was completed, and the prognosis for healing looked good. After a few months, another surgery was required to debride the wound (remove damaged tissue).

And the foot that was the reason she got the PICC line? It has continued to be an issue, and at one point the doctors thought they might need to insert rods into it. Fortunately, at this time, that does not look likely.

But regardless of all the health concerns that have developed since this happened, remember: when she went in to the hospital the first time, her left hand was PERFECT.

Vanessa does not know how or who will fund her prostheses over the coming years, but does know that there are many different options available, and the best, most up-to-date, are extremely costly. Nor does she know how much her life will be impacted by this ‘disability’, and what the future costs and implications will be. For absolute sure, her life will be forever changed and challenged by this amputation.

Vanessa has remained in hospital (which includes a period at a physical rehabilitation facility) since November 1st, but hopes to be home before the end of February.

PLEASE HELP ME TO RAISE URGENT AND CRITICAL FUNDS

FOR MY FRIEND

Vanessa needs to cover immediate living costs, and will definitely need funds moving forward as she learns to live and work with her new reality. The overall amount required to cover Vanessa’s needs is not yet known, but we are setting our fundraising goal at $25,000.

Thank you in advance--any contribution you can make will be greatly appreciated. I know that Vanessa will be beyond thankful for your support.

Thank you!

As well, please SHARE on social media and by word-of-mouth to let as many people as possible know about Vanessa’s situation.

Vanessa tries very hard to look for the positive in this very dismal situation--she is looking forward to half-priced manicures, however she is a bit ticked off that she cannot crack the knuckles on her right hand!

FOLLOWING ARE SOME GRAPHIC PHOTOS OF VANESSA’S HAND AND ARM;

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO VIEW

*A PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter) is an intravenous catheter (a long thin plastic tube) that is inserted into a vein in the arm, and reaches the area just outside the heart.

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