MartinShapes medical

I spent the month of December 2019 in Papua New Guinea volunteering in a remote part of the north coast. The time was spent teaching and encouraging the local people to grow and build Balsa Wood surfcraft. While there I contracted Melioidosis from the soil. Not quite sure how I got it and not real easy to contract. I promise I didn’t eat any dirt but I may have worn sandals a bit to much. It’s extremely rare for the medical community to see it here in the United States. We see less than 5 cases a year. I am extremely grateful to actually have been diagnosed as it’s highly lethal without special medical care. I entered the hospital in mid January with severe sepsis and spent 10 days in ICU and isolation. Fast forward to today February 24th. Spiritually and mentally I feel great! My physical situation is that I’m closer to showing off my six pack (bit of weight loss) and still suffering from some fatigue. The good news is that I’m making progress each day in regaining strength. The prognosis for recovery looks good but requires 3-6 months of a specific antibiotic regime. The bacteria that causes Melioidosis is a tough and resistant one. Likes to hide and come back to bite if it’s not eradicated. 

My reason for starting this go fund me is for the medical costs I’m looking at. I do have medical insurance thankfully but do have a significant deductible (max out of pocket) for the year of what could be close to $15000. This is nothing compared to the total bill but still a significant number for me and my wife to look at. Please see my Instagram @martinshapes for more information on a Balsa Wood craft that I’m building now to sell to help raise some bucks. Oh yeah... I almost forgot @martinsmakings makes chopsticks and shift knobs that are on his Etsy store. 100% of his proceeds go to me so making a purchase there is another way to help! 

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this story! 

-Joshua Martin