
MAKE MARY MOBILE AGAIN
Donation protected
MAKE MARY MOBILE AGAIN
It all happened so fast. She missed a step, her knee buckled and in within a several months her entire leg was amputated. My bride of 45 years is in rehab and soon due to come home. I’m impatiently ready for us to be together again, but our home is not. She is wheelchair-bound and most likely will be forever. I miss her terribly and am making the best of it. Either I’m home alone or in my car driving to and from the facilities she has been in since this maddening ordeal began. Here’s the long and short of it: Mary went to Sarasota to visit her two sisters who were there on vacation from Iowa. One missed step and that’s when the painful nightmare began as she was rushed by ambulance to the local hospital and from there, she was transported directly home to be seen by a specialist who performed a revision knee replacement. Mary still has two more birthdays before retirement age where Medicare will be her insurance. I’m not ashamed to admit that my head was and is spinning over the reality of the surmounting, overwhelming ambulance, transport and bills that are soon to fill up our “to-be-paid basket”. Modifying our home to accommodate her wheelchair is an expense I can’t comprehend right now. We reside about 10 miles from our hospital; however, she was required to be in a more intensive care facility 40 miles away. I’ve lost count of my daily trips back and forth to be with her. Mary’s faith in God was what held her together while enduring 2 months of rehab with a cast from her groin to her ankle as the leg had to remain completely straight, yet rehab had to keep the rest of her body mobile in the interim. The daily conversations we had over the phone or when I was allowed to visit made me realize even more how much I love this incredibly strong woman. Everyone who knows Mary knows what a giving, loving lady she is! She ALWAYS put the needs of others before her own. Now some good news – she’s coming home! I had ramp installed knowing that she would be using a walker for quite some time. A home improvement investment that was imperative. After many extensive follow-up visits, they opted to remove the cast on and attach a basic splint to allow for slow, methodical bending over time. This required 2 more months of inpatient rehab (45 miles away). Now safe at home (we assumed), within a couple days Mary’s hope began to waiver. She was miserable because the straps on this device didn’t fit and it was unbearably painful for her to simply stand upright on crutches or attempt to take a step with the walker. I hurt me to see her cry in pain. Off to the see the surgeon again. Now from a walker to a wheelchair, the doctor sent her home saying she’s doing fine. Although we implored to the doctor that there’s something majorly wrong, the doctor sent her home and tell her just to put ice on it. NOT what we wanted to hear! The next day we noticed unusual swelling on her leg and made an urgent call to the doctor that we’re coming back, but it was so excruciating for Mary to even attempt to walk or even get into our vehicle so I called for an ambulance again. Even the paramedics were astonished at how hot her leg was, clearly a visible infection. That evening emergency surgery was performed where the doctor made a large incision and his diagnosis was gangrene. He actually shouted “Oh my God!” as pus actually shot out and shit the ceiling! Sadly, she laid there for an entire week the wound was left open so it can be cleaned and scraped, however, antibiotics were failing to keep the knee healthy. Doctors from Orlando and Miami were contacted and all surgeons were in agreement; none would take her case and determined that if amputation is the only recourse. If she waited one more day the gross infection would’ve resulted in death, thus her leg was removed on the 23rd, nearly 4 months since the incident in Sarasota. No attorney will take my case. Beyond frustrating. The ramp that was initially installed (when she was using a walker) has been removed and new specific ramp is being constructed so that Mary can use her wheelchair from the carport safely to our front door. This ramp is being provided by our local VFW Big Lake Post 10539. What a blessing! Mary will be released on September 16th and the modifications to the interior of our home need to be completed by then. Our doorways are too narrow. I purchased a lift recliner and am trying to get a hospital bed. We covet your prayers and generosity in this difficult time. All donations will strictly be utilized to make our living space wheel chair accessible and to pay for expenses that have been incurred. May God richly bless you for your compassion. Please share my story if it’s on your heart to do so.
Organizer

Bill Rice
Organizer
Okeechobee, FL