Rally for Mallory: A Nurse in Need

Have you ever had a hero? Someone that you admired and looked up to? Well I have. And she’s my wife. Her name is Mallory and not only is she a hardworking, selfless mother and wife, she’s also a phenomenal hospice nurse. She not only pours herself into her family unconditionally, but she also gives herself to the many patients she cares/has cared for. It really says something when you run into a family she’s helped in public and they hug ME because of the way my wife cared for their loved one in their darkest days. She also cares for her disabled parents day in and day out.

Unfortunately, Mallory endured a medical emergency last year that is still wreaking havoc not only on her personally, but on our family and home life, as well.

On August 2, 2024, she called into work for the weekend with back Radiculopathy, which she’s dealt with for some years. While it’s debilitating in itself, she’s used to it. While lying in bed to rest her back, we noticed blood on her right sock. Upon looking further, it was clear something was very wrong with her great toe. It was fire engine red and swollen. We cleansed it and covered it, planning to check it the following day.

The following day, she woke up with what she felt was generalized anxiety (also not new), which eventually lead to shortness of breath. We didn’t realize how sick she actually was, and how quickly she became ill.

Upon arrival to the ED, we were very promptly told that she had developed NECROTIZING FASCIITIS (a rare rapid flesh-eating bacterial infection), which also caused her to quickly go into eDKA diabetic ketoacidosis with normal blood sugars) due to the rapidly onset infection. We were told that immediate amputation was necessary, as well as ICU admission immediately following surgery. To see the look of instant fear on her face, is hard to describe.

She spent almost a week in the hospital with countless amounts of IV antibiotics, pain medications, therapy. It was devastating to her. Afterall, who gets necrotizing fasciitis at 35?!

She eventually discharged home with a wound vac and frequent follow up appointments, as well as home health coming in multiple times per week.

To say that the medical bills are overwhelming, is an understatement (this also happened to be the ONLY time in her life that she didn’t have health insurance due to life changes and plans not working out). While she is almost healed from this unexpected surgery, she is still out of work and no longer receiving any short or long term disability. She has attempted to get back to what she loves (her work as a hospice nurse), but she’s unfortunately been terminated due to these unfortunate circumstances. We’re in dire need of surviving the next couple of months as well as paying off outstanding medical bills (not to mention the therapies that our child also needs but are having to be put off).

My wife is defeated. To see the strongest person you know feel so defeated is excruciating. She has given so much of herself in her career and in life, all to be at risk of losing everything she’s ever worked for.

Please consider donating if possible and help my sweet wife get back on her feet!