Norm's Amputation Rehab Necessities

Hi Everyone,

Last October, just after the Season Closing of Dockside Cafe, I was diagnosed with Celulitis, an infection in the skin in my right foot.  Treatment was unsuccessful and led to surgery to reduce the inflamation and infection.

Several hospital stays, a lot of antibiotic infusions, wound vacs, and other interventions could not stop the infection from getting into the bone.  In December, I was diagnosed with Osteomyelitis, meaning the infection had gotten into the bone, a very serious complication.

In January, I was approved for Hyperbaric Chamber treatments.  After my second treatment on Friday, January 6, I began feeling extremely weak and nauseous and slept for 24 hours.  Saturday Jan 7, I fell twice trying to move in the house.  Donna managed to help me up,  On Sun, Jan 8, I fell once again and had no strength left in my body,  Donna called an ambulance.

I was taken by ambulance to South Bend Memorial Hospital.  I was diagnosed with Osteomyelitis, SEPSIS, STREPTOCOCCUS, and worst of all, RABDOMELIASIS.

This is a deadly combination that ravages the body of muscle and other function.  Although I remember very little from the time of my first fall to nearly two weeks later, my Doctor told me later that my "body literally wanted to die".

My family was called to what I later found out was thought to be my death bed.  My birthday was Saturday, Jan 13.  This was also the day consent was given to amputate my leg in an attempt to stop the infections from spreading.  The surgery took place on Sunday, Jan 14 and was successful.

On Wednesday, Jan 18, I was transferred to the Hospital Physical Rehab floor, where I remained for several weeks to get strength back, build new muscle, and learn to deal with the amputation.

My left leg was ravaged of muscle from the "Rabdo" and may never fully recover.  I am to be fitted with  prosthetic leg which will allow me essential movement.

I am currently continuing outpatient physical therapy and acclamating to home life with an ampution.

While I was recovering in the hospital, Donna went through great pains to get the house ready for my return home.  This included a bathroom and bedroom remodel necessary for my accomodation.  This not only took a financial toll on us, it drained Donna emotionally, too.

We now realize that we need many modifications to the house, or a move to a more accommodating house.  Also, our familiar red Jeep Commander has nearly 250,000 miles on it and requires an upgrade to a newer, more dependable vehicle capable of adapting a wheel chair lift.

This will be our last season at Dockside as our Port Authority contract comes to an end and my ability to help Donna is severely limited.  We need help to allow us to make the changes to home and vehicle and enable us to transition to retirement allowing for the recent physical issues.  Also, though insurance paid most of the $500.000 bill, our out of pocket and out of network portions are mounting at a rediculous rate.

Your help is tremendously appreciated.  With or without your help, please come see us at Dockside Cafe at the Marina in Michigan City for our final season this summer.

Thank You,
Norm and Donna