Please help this small family in need

Welcome to the site to assist Desiree & Ian Pattison's desperate need for funds. Thank you for your prayers, funds, and well wishes.

Desiree was just released from being hospitalized for 6 days with an extreme case of lower right leg cellulitis. While in the hospital Desiree met with multiple departments of the hospital – occupational therapy, and wound care, had to have CTSCAN, ultrasound, x-rays, infectious disease doctor out of Sioux Falls, SD via telehealth. Prior to the hospitalization, she was going into the clinic for infusion antibiotics three times per day, every day (every 8 hours) through IV sites on her hands. Eventually, the IV sites all collapsed and they put in a pic line in her upper right arm for long-term treatment. This lasted for two weeks until the infection took over her leg and was, unfortunately, not enough as her infection spread with blisters throughout her lower extremity. They were talking about amputation since it had gotten so bad. Complications of cellulitis can be very serious. They can include extensive tissue damage, and the infection spreading to the blood, bone, lymph nodes, heart, and nervous system. After being treated by infection disease doctors, they were able to get her infection under control enough so she was able to come home. She will go to wound care every week until mid-April. Even though she has been released from the hospital she still has long-term issues to deal with – not being able to stand very long (under 10 minutes), fatigue sets in quickly when going or doing any tasks, needing to keep her right leg elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling from the lymphedema that has set in. She has to go to the hospital and clinic for follow-up appointments in Spencer, IA (about 35 miles away) multiple times a week. Driving is extremely painful for Desiree, as her infection is in her right leg.

My son, Ian Pattison, Desiree’s husband, is disabled himself. He personally uses an electric wheelchair, walker &/or cane to get around - depending on his personal pain level. He has a history of seizures, which means he can’t drive. Now that Desiree is home, he will be responsible for transferring her in/out of bed, the car 3x/day – every day, the bathroom, tub/shower. Unfortunately, due to their insurance, won't cover having a nurse come to their home to help take care of her. In addition, they have 2 dogs to attend to let alone their home, cooking meals, etc. Since they live in Iowa, and just moved into a new home, they are pretty isolated from family and friends to assist them with these daily needs.

Desiree has already been unable to work her primary and secondary job since Friday, March 3, 2023, unpaid – they’ve been living off of Ian’s small social security check this month. Desiree will be out of work for at least another 2 weeks during her infection control on her leg, and her wages still being unpaid. Medical expenses and expensive medical equipment (i.e. Therma body boot alone is $900 in order to increase circulation to heal, shower chair, dressings, co-pays, gas back and forth, etc.) needs are now also being added to their regular living expenses and are now drowning, as Desiree’s income was an absolute necessity for their living. All these expenses are now causing both of them an unbelievable amount of stress, and pain triggered by stress, and this is leading to anxiety and depression for both of them. Stress triggers Ian’s seizures, which have resulted in several hospital visits. This then would leave Desiree to fend for herself.

If Desiree’s condition doesn’t improve over the next couple of weeks, she may need to be admitted to a nursing home to ensure proper care is given. Ian can only do so much, regardless of his desire to take care of his wife.

We will keep you posted as much as possible. Thank you for any donation that you can make to help this struggling couple. We really don't want to see either of their health deteriorate, as Ian has multiple other diagnoses.

Again, thank you for your prayers and kindness.

Shirley Mohs (Ian's mom)