Prestons New Wheels
Donation protected
Laura Dudley shares:
In December of 2016 my husband Preston got an infection in his right foot that turned into stage 3 gangrene. To save his life they had to amputate his left leg from the knee down. After all the tests it was determined that he has diabetes, vascular disease and congestive heart failure. For a guy that has always relished his freedom and independence his world would shrink very quickly. Over the last 6 months, he has had 10 surgeries (including 2 on the heart), 3 amputations, 5 hospital stays, 5 ER visits and has 8 stents placed. We are expecting to have to go through at least one more blockage procedure (stent placement) for his heart in the coming months. During these difficult times Preston and I have been supported by friends and family with thoughts and prayers from near and far. We would like to give special thanks to God for letting Preston be with us a little longer and giving us the strength to do one more thing… and there always seems to be one more thing . To Bill, Stephine, Tammy, Domenico and Marisa for coming out and helping get the house in order for Preston’s safe return home and keeping the family informed . We greatly appreciated each and every one and couldn’t have made it through without you.
Accepting and asking for help is something we both have had to learn to do and I am coming to you humbled once more. Following the amputation, moving around the house safely has been a challenge and venturing as far as the doctor’s office a downright ordeal. Being stuck in the house all day has taken its toll on Preston and now that he is feeling a little better and getting used to his new ability level he has set his sights on a daily outing. It seems so simple, something many of us might take for granted… a visit to the park near our home. I think I’ve found just the ticket to get him there, a SCOOTER ! But with our medical bills the price tag seems out of reach. We live on a hill, so it will need to have the gumption to get him back up as well as some other features to meet his physical needs. In addition to the cost of the scooter, I would need a lift for our vehicle for transporting it.
When I think of the impact this will have on his independence, confidence, comfort and safety I am overwhelmed with possibility. Easier trips to the park, doctors, physical therapy and even the grocery store all seem within reach and give me hope. If you could help, in any small way, we could give him the gift of freedom that just might lead him back to some of the daily joys that he has missed. I know it would mean the world to him, knowing that we all came together to make this a reality!
Did I mention his 70th birthday is coming up? I would like this to be a gift from all of us, if we can keep it a secret (which I know will be a challenge with so many DUDLEY’s about!) my hope is to surprise him with this gift at our upcoming Dudley Family Reunion In July 2017!!! Your support would mean the world to us and get this guy back out of doors where he so loves to be!
Thank you for letting me share our story, your donation or prayers would truly mean the world to us.
In December of 2016 my husband Preston got an infection in his right foot that turned into stage 3 gangrene. To save his life they had to amputate his left leg from the knee down. After all the tests it was determined that he has diabetes, vascular disease and congestive heart failure. For a guy that has always relished his freedom and independence his world would shrink very quickly. Over the last 6 months, he has had 10 surgeries (including 2 on the heart), 3 amputations, 5 hospital stays, 5 ER visits and has 8 stents placed. We are expecting to have to go through at least one more blockage procedure (stent placement) for his heart in the coming months. During these difficult times Preston and I have been supported by friends and family with thoughts and prayers from near and far. We would like to give special thanks to God for letting Preston be with us a little longer and giving us the strength to do one more thing… and there always seems to be one more thing . To Bill, Stephine, Tammy, Domenico and Marisa for coming out and helping get the house in order for Preston’s safe return home and keeping the family informed . We greatly appreciated each and every one and couldn’t have made it through without you.
Accepting and asking for help is something we both have had to learn to do and I am coming to you humbled once more. Following the amputation, moving around the house safely has been a challenge and venturing as far as the doctor’s office a downright ordeal. Being stuck in the house all day has taken its toll on Preston and now that he is feeling a little better and getting used to his new ability level he has set his sights on a daily outing. It seems so simple, something many of us might take for granted… a visit to the park near our home. I think I’ve found just the ticket to get him there, a SCOOTER ! But with our medical bills the price tag seems out of reach. We live on a hill, so it will need to have the gumption to get him back up as well as some other features to meet his physical needs. In addition to the cost of the scooter, I would need a lift for our vehicle for transporting it.
When I think of the impact this will have on his independence, confidence, comfort and safety I am overwhelmed with possibility. Easier trips to the park, doctors, physical therapy and even the grocery store all seem within reach and give me hope. If you could help, in any small way, we could give him the gift of freedom that just might lead him back to some of the daily joys that he has missed. I know it would mean the world to him, knowing that we all came together to make this a reality!
Did I mention his 70th birthday is coming up? I would like this to be a gift from all of us, if we can keep it a secret (which I know will be a challenge with so many DUDLEY’s about!) my hope is to surprise him with this gift at our upcoming Dudley Family Reunion In July 2017!!! Your support would mean the world to us and get this guy back out of doors where he so loves to be!
Thank you for letting me share our story, your donation or prayers would truly mean the world to us.
Organizer
Stephine Dudley
Organizer
Oregon City, OR
